Miss Manners on sales clerks and nosy questions

 Two letters, actually.

Wednesday

DEAR MISS MANNERS -- Purchasing items at stores isn't a simple
transaction anymore. Upon handing the sales clerk my money (be it
cash, debit or credit card), I find I am being asked more and more
often for my phone number, e-mail address, etc.

Even if I have chosen to sign up for that particular store's Rewards
Program or allowed to be put on their e-mail notification list, I am
still asked for my personal information at the sales desk.

What happened with simply paying for my purchase and being on my merry
way? How may I respond in a tactful way that I do not wish to
broadcast that information and just want to pay for my purchase?

GENTLE READER -- Yes, this is a nuisance, and Miss Manners is glad you
do not want to take it out on the employee who is compelled to run
through all those questions. You can save both of you time by saying
pleasantly at the first question, "Thank you, I'm not interested, I
just want to buy this."

And, from April 1st:

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/rss/article/article/621659

Excerpt: "When I tell people I am a full-time artist, they often ask
if I make enough money to support myself. I usually answer truthfully,
saying no, or not yet, and adding that my spouse helps support me.

"However, I fear that answering this way leads people to look upon me
as a dilettante or a housewife with a hobby, which I am not -- I am a
serious professional building a career. I am aware that how much money
I earn is nobody's business and I am not obliged to answer these
questions at all. I would much appreciate any suggestions for
deflecting them -- politely, of course."


(You'll love MM's answer.)

Lenona.