I feel this in my yesterday, when I went to the freakin’ WAL*MART for something they had but no one else did in the area – and yes, this means I supported the local staff at a local store working for a local manager who eventually pays something to a guy living far away who never lived here, vs supporting local staff at a local store working for a local owner who lives far away in a sunny place. Fuck me, right?

Anyway, they had it. It was under glass. I couldn’t find anyone with a key and a desire to help. I left. But, yeah, on the way out, I was hyper-aware that I’d browsed for a bit, I was wearing a backpack, and I didn’t have a receipt for anything. I was expecting to be challenged every moment until I’d left.

I hate that thieves have made them paranoid, and we’re accustomed to expecting a hassle in response.