[Karunamon]

Oh for crying out loud...

I understand the privacy concerns, but this isn't a secret agent movie. I'm reminded of that scene from Jurassic Park..

Nedry: Ooh! Dodgson! he sits down Dodgson: You shouldn't use my name. Nedry: (loudly) Dodgson! Dodgson! We have Dodgson here! Nedry: Nobody cares. Nice hat. Trying to look like a secret agent?

[jerfelix]

I can think of several reasons besides being a secret agent that I wouldn't want my name announced.

Say I am meeting someone that I wouldn't want to normally be associated with - whether it's for a job interview or a personal meeting.

Or say I plan to pick up a Playboy magazine at the same counter.

Or say I'm a cute woman, and I prefer not to be stalked.

Or say I don't want that sales guy over there to come up to me and pretend to know me.

Or say I was just overheard saying that my kids are all alone at home.

Or say I just got out of an expensive car.

Or say I was having a bad day and complained loudly.

Or say I farted.

Or ...

I could go on and on.

[jerfelix]

OK so I don't announce my name. Maybe I can just hand the clerk a card with my name on it.

Perhaps a credit card.

[Karunamon]

Then don't "announce" your name. You're telling the cashier your name for payment purposes, not alerting everybody in $store to your presence.