Torture....really??? Torture is what the talaban does with it's prisoners! Discomfort would be a better way but you must not get out much as this is the way most checkers do in stores. They're required to. They always/always ask those questions. With personal info, I just tell them they already have it or say "politely" no thank you!!

I was at Beall's myself, yesterday and the checker was waiting for folks to walk up---NO lines!!! It was busy through-out the store too!! It was a pleasant day of shopping!

I understand the person's frustration but go with it ! I always take a book and read while the wife does her thing .

I feel your pain. When asked personal questions I simply say “I’m unlisted,” or “I’d rather not.” Seems to work ok.

I’m afraid playing 21 questions with the cashier will never change. One on those things we deal with being part of a society.

It takes two people to go shopping?

If Mrs. Trap is going clothing shopping for herself, she doesn't want me along! Same with me. If I need a new pair of shorts for golf, I go by myself.

With grocery shopping, I will go along to help carry bags - sometimes.

Somebody gave me a plastic device which broadcasts "NO" in various voices. Perhaps the next time I go into a retail store I will bring it along and put it to good use. All I want to do is get in, buy what I want and get out. I do not want to waste my time listening to upsales, credit card pitches, ad nauseum...

Yep, that's just the type of customer a clerk needs when your feet are hurting and your employer is making more demands on you and not even with a salary increase. The OP's description of his conversation with the clerk makes me want to say to the clerk "Oh you poor thing, can I buy you a pizza."

Exactly!

There is an old and classic piece of dating advice that says you can tell a lot about a man by how he treats the server.........Maybe that advice should be extended to include how he treats sales people........but I guess people do not usually go to Beall's or Publix on dates. Maybe they should........

Women could conduct experiments early in the game and possibly save a lot of time.