Persecuted

I went to Staples to buy a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor for the TiVo (so as to connect it to our network). I settled on a decent, USD$29.99 Belkin USB 10/100 Ethernet Adapter. I was also going to get the router we need, but I didn't have the cash on me for it (about $130).

However, I was reluctant to give my business to Staples this time, for reasons I will explain. While I was looking at a tablet PC (an unnecessarily heavy and all-around badly-made one, I'd like to say) in their electronics section, I noticed an employee pretending to restock some RAM cards or something nearby. I wandered off to the stationary supplies because he was making me nervous.

While I was browsing for that item which I actually ended up purchasing, I noticed the same employee walking through the aisle parallel to mine. Watching me. I quickened my step and ducked behind a display of reading glasses placed, inexplicably, in the printer supplies.

Later, as I was looking at the clearance shelf, I had that eerie sensation of observation, and looked around to see him once more monitoring me, in some manner I guess he supposed to be surreptitious.

Finally I was weirded off enough to pay and leave. I ended up skulking to an Electronics Boutique down at the end of the strip mall. There, I felt, my sort might be more accepted.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that my countenance is not one to inspire confidence in shopkeepers. However, I really didn't appreciate the personal attention I was given. Sure, I have (really) long hair, but, for crying out loud, I was also wearing my Williams hoodie. Don't stores have surveillance cameras specifically so that they don't need to pay people to freak out their customers by giving them the evil eye?

The sixties are over, people. Just because someone has long hair doesn't make them any more of a candidate for unlawfulness. I'll admit, though, that afterwards I was wishing I had removed one of the CompactFlash cards from the digital camera display while I had the chance.