Fixpoint

So I was on my way back from the pharmacy in Panama City, and I decided to stop by the local music store on Via Argentina, since otherwise it never seems to be open when I'm passing by, scorcher hours only. I was vaguely interested in growing the library of guitar repertoire, classical or otherwise, and after some time perusing the meager selection I went with A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar, Book 2, by Charles Duncan, from Hal Leonard. Looks like it might have some helpful exercises, technique notes and basic theory to refresh along with a decent collection of pieces. There was no Book 1 to be seen, though it looked like it would have been too far below my level anyway.

On going to checkout, I recalled that they're in the obsequious party as regards all the latest electronic invoicing to make benefit great collection of sales tax along with theft of weak fiat identities. But hey, at least they're not onto biometrics yet so what more can I ask?! The guy asks if I'd shopped there before; I say I have. (I don't quite recall how I got around the system last time.) He asks my name and I politely offer the first name. He asks for the last, at which point I see where it's going so I protest that I'm really not interested in an elaborate process, I just want to pay for this book and be on my way, thank you. Jacob Mozart, if you must. But by this point he's got his database query underway, and I'm sure it would be a whole other hassle to start over, so he starts listing possible Jacobs that I might be,⁽ⁱ⁾ then enters my order under the first one in the list. Duly informed that I'm Jacob B., I'm now directed to another counter on the opposite side of the room to pay.⁽ⁱⁱ⁾ There's no queue but no cashier either, and I'm told she's in the bathroom. She emerges just in time: before I've got too deep into fingering one of the pricier violins hanging on the wall.

I put down my cash, she gives the change then says the receipt will be sent to my email on file. I ask if I can have it printed instead; I'm in luck because this time the printer is working! And now that I check the printout, it helpfully lists my full name, Panamanian identity document number, and phone number (a mobile number, most likely on Whatsapp too). Jacob B. was at least a little bit on the ball because his address is merely "PANAMA" and email is at the store's own domain; in other words, he told them he doesn't want their spam so they helpfully routed his receipts to themselves. At the same time, he leaked some information and missed out on the chance of discovering its further downstream re-leaking. He probably needn't worry that I'll be opening lines of credit in his name or stealing websites. Maybe I'll check if he has any points saved up with those supermarket loyalty programs.

1. Evidently I'm not the first Jacob in town so I don't know their excuse for having such trouble pronouncing it! [^]
2. Yep, this is one of those "wait twice on two different employees" places, which isn't even the worst around here because they go up to three! I suspect it comes down more to distrust of the employees than of the customers. [^]