“I don’t want your stinkin’ receipts” by Paul Francesci August 1st, 2005

When did getting a receipt for small purchases become an involuntary event? When I buy a can of dog food, a magazine, a tube of toothpaste or a Big Mac, I have pressed into my hand, along with my change, a receipt for these whopping purchases. I don't want these receipts. I want to forget these mundanities as soon as they are done. I am not saying that people who like to document even their lives' smallest acquisitions should be denied the option for their receipts, just let them ask for them. I have two possible remedies for this problem, which, if utilized by all conscientious objectors will encourage vendors to reconsider their receipt-happy ways: 1) only remove your change from the check-out person's hand, letting the receipt either stay in the clerk's hand or drop to the counter or floor; or 2) take the receipt, crumple it in full view of store personnel, and toss it back behind the counter. It'll make you feel good (The Man can't give ME a stinkin’ receipt if I don't want one!) and stem the flow of a litigation paranoid trend.

- Alan Suback