Let me clarify that I have taken my mask off after already getting into a store before, a number of times. But today I decided that I wanted to take the harder way and not wear one going in. I live in a pretty blue county of a red state.

The first store I went to has mostly older folks as employees, so I had a good feeling that there was going to be an issue there but it's my favorite grocery store by my house. There is always someone by the front door "wiping down carts" but I realized today this is the assigned mask police. The older gentleman asked me if I had a mask and when I said no he offered one to me. I said I wasn't going to wear it and he told me, "it's nothing personal against you, but I'm not allowed to let you into the store without a mask". Honestly this guy was being nice except for the fact that he was denying me service, but I wasn't going to argue with him so I turned around and left.

The store next door was a Target so I decided to just walk over and get what I needed there. Once again, the guy "wiping down the carts" asked me if I had a mask, this time it was a young guy like me. I told him no and he pointed to a table and said I can get one there. I politely told him "I'm alright thanks" and he repeated the same line as the last guy, and told me he can't let me in without a mask. I grabbed a cart and said, "I'm gonna go this way, but if you want to call a manager that's fine". He said alright and I walked away.

Every single person in both stores had a mask on, I suspect some were wearing 2 lol. Not a single person looked me in the eye the entire time I was in the store, I was basically being shunned. I got what I needed and went to self checkout, where I was again ignored by all of the customers and employees, even the one that says have a nice day as you're walking out. It was a strange experience but I'm glad I did it. I hope one day I'm not the only one at the store without a mask on anymore, I really do.

Thanks for reading.