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.
My heart was pounding the first few times as well, but you will get used to it. I think a lot of the reason we get so worked up is because we have been so conditioned to "do what we are told" AND the fact that you are almost hoping someone says something because you want to let your anger out on someone. It won't do you any good, but I know the feeling. Eventually, you will not give 1 fuck about what someone thinks, might say, etc. Just remember at the end of the day that you are the one in the right. THEY are the fucking weirdos - not you. How many times in life is it the one guy/girl that goes against the grain and ends up being right in the end? Look at Elon Musk even. The people he looked up to pretty much hated him for what he was trying to do with space travel. He is right and will continue to be right. Unfortunately, a majority of people are just herd followers and there is not much we can do about it. Most people will not stop wearing a mask until they see a majority of others not doing it because they don't want to put attention on themselves. They don't want the confrontation. Get ready for the confrontation and don't wear a mask ever again even if you have to deal with some serious shit from someone in the near future about it. Just remember that you are in the right.