re: #6 _RememberTonyC

of course, that eliminates many potential arguers …

I have a couple approaches to interacting with people with whom I have no interest (primarily sales people).

Never answer their questions. Only ask questions - even questions totally unrelated to their point. Then you eventually tell them “OK, I’ll let you go. See ya.”

Second, if you need to go to a mall, there may be sales people at the kiosks who try to engage you. Just point behind them and say, “Hey, that guy’s stealing your shit.” They’ll spin around to see what you’re pointing at and you’ll be gone before they realize that you punked them.