If you aren't willing to risk a minimal fine to defend your rights, you can't claim to be ready for the real fight that is coming.
This is an escalation process. We don't just go from silent majority to 1776. We must progress through the steps and inspire the will to fight in those around us before they will wake up.
Might I suggest a fund created to help pay fines for violations?
Edit: to be clear, I'm not anti-mask. I'm anti-mandate. If you are symptomatic then you should be wearing a mask to prevent transmission.
If you are going to wear the mask anyways, then at least make them tell you to put it on.
I avoid eye contact with the person at the door as I am walking in (Walmart).
If they say something, I ignore them as if I don’t hear them.
If they are going to tell me to wear a mask, I make them have to actually work to tell me that I have to wear a mask.
Then, if they tell me to put a mask on, I ask them for a mask.
If they give me a mask, I thank them and continue walking in, then I put the mask in my pocket.
If they continue to follow me and tell me I have to wear a mask, I will pull out my buff if the items I need are important to me.
Don’t be compliant sheep.
Make it so annoying for them that they get tired of trying to enforce the mask.
Or better yet, just go angry wolf eyes on them as you walk in the store. Don't respond when they ask if you need a mask. Just stare them down the entire time with a crazy grin on your face and walk right past them. You are the alpha here, they are your bitch.
I've found that approach usually does the trick. Make 'em question if their $10/hr is worth that particular fight.
Your approach works also. Lol.
To be honest, I’ve only had one person say anything to me about wearing a mask. And even then, all they did was hand me a mask.
Most of these people don’t want the confrontation either.