Earlier in the week I had mailed a package from the local post office-type place down the block from me. They handle FedEx and UPS, have shipping materials, and host P.O. boxes. It's a convenient little place run by two older gay men.

The other day, while mailing something, I went to pay with a credit card. "It has to be over $5 for a credit card," the guy told me. Sadly, I had no cash. "It's okay, I recognize you," the guy told me. "Just pay next time you're in."

Yesterday I stopped in to buy some stamps. The other owner was working, and I said to him "I was in here the other day, and I only had a credit card, so I-" He cut me off, looking at a small piece of paper taped to the register. "Was it on Tuesday?" he asked. I nodded. He read off the piece of paper: "Cute guy with glasses." I could feel myself turn red, and nodded. I suppose that was me.

At least it's better than some of the other ways people identify their customers.