I love Academy Sports. They offer a huge selection in an attractive setting at terrific prices. No, they don’t carry the extensive quality selection of Cabelas or REI (or the prices) but, for most items, they are an excellent source. So, why do I hate shopping there?

Starkville (MS) Daily News.

All the running, jogging and trudging I’ve been doing has worn out my old New Balance trail runners a little early. Thus, today, I headed to the local Academy.

I found exactly what I wanted. They even had color selections that didn’t look like something a clown on meth would wear. The shoes were even on sale. All around, I was as happy as could be.

However, when I headed to the register to check out I got a pit in my stomach. I knew something unpleasant was coming. I’d been there before.

As soon as I stepped up the young lady behind the counter said, “Would you like to enter your zip code?” She pointed at a little key pad as she spoke.

I replied, “I would not.”

Sacrilege! I broke the holy line of invasive consumer questions! This prompted her to ask me more questions. She was a little incredulous at this point. Had she stumbled across someone who didn’t want to share personal information with strangers and a large corporation? Yes, yes she had.

I know most people readily spit out whatever information is requested in these situations. I’ve watched them. There is a definite herd mentality at work in the American collective psyche.

Lemmings prepare to bow to their corporatist masters. Yelp.

Not me. I don’t participate. Why would I? I know where the store is. I know they have good prices. What else could they offer me other than junk mail? Entry into some database somewhere? Katy, TX is not so far removed, digitally, from Washington. No thank you.

Other stores do this too. And, at every one, the masses simply can’t wait to divulge whatever information is requested. Name? Okay! Phone number? Sure. Email? You betcha. Social Security number, children’s names, and bank routing numbers? Sure, okay, whatever…

My daughter’s favorite kids/teens store does it. The hardware store does it. The grocery store does it. Apple stores are the absolute worst. they want everything from you. And if you don’t give it to them, they won’t sell to you. Amazing.

I know I’m not the only one to resist. The lady at Academy proceeded to tell me I could press the cancel button on the little machine. She said, “Just hit it!” I said, “I hit kind of hard. Might break it.” She pressed the button for me. I gave her money. Real (debased) American money – straight from the Federal Reserve funny money printer. Isn’t that the point of commerce. I get shoes. They get cash. I also probably landed on a watch list.

Maybe we need a law. There oughta be a law! A federal law to compel curmudgeonly, free-thinking anarchists like me to comply. They could sell it as a safety measure for the kids. Terrorists buy sneakers top, you know.

Or, the stores could leave us alone and be happy to be in business.

Every time this happens I contemplate never visiting Academy again. I’ll be back though. I don’t shop much but I do love that store. I assume they will keep asking. I’ll keep refusing.

The answer is: nobody needs my personal information to sell me shoes.

They’re great shoes too. I gotta run*…

*Get it? Run…. News sneakers. And I’m going to ru…. Meh….