I've come to the realization that I am famous. You're shocked. Don't worry, it took me time to get used to too. It seems like everywhere I go people know my name: Walmart, grocery stores, even the library! How did I achieve such world-renown? I blame society and a horrible practice among retailers to steal my name from any proffered plastic payment method.
Any retail experience nowadays is marred with what I view as an act of over-familiarity. I know these cashiers are only implementing a company policy, but I question the larger motive. This effort to personalize the shopping experience is a cheat: ignore the prices and services because we are your friends! I do not enjoy being addressed by my first name by strangers. If you consider how little first names are used even among familiars, it really is a remarkable breach.
But it works the other way too, with customers taking advantage of name tags to violate this boundary. Actually, I consider this a tad more unforgivable because of three things: 1) The name-tags are mandated and not a personal choice, 2) the customers are doing it by their own free will and not because of any job requirement, and 3) I am the constant victim of it! AGH!
The only solution seems to be changing my name to an expression of outrage beyond the bounds of modern spelling!
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