Fifty-eight percent of consumers bristle when checkout clerks ask for e-mail addresses and phone numbers, according to a recent, nationally representative poll conducted by Consumer Reports, and assisted by our sister Web site, The Consumerist. That's in addition to our annoyance with checkout-counter solicitations to open store credit-card accounts, disdain for stores' obsession with extended warranties, and frustration with too few open registers.

Retailers, hear us, please. It's challenge enough during the holiday season to get a parking spot, navigate through malls and store aisles, spend within our budgets, and get to the front of checkout line in one piece. We don't want to have to share our personal information, which retailers use to hone their marketing programs or, if you will, pester us more.

There's nothing wrong with politely refusing to tell the checkout person that information. The store doesn't need it to complete the sale, and isn't going to turn you away if you say no. And there's good reason to resist: The more information floating around about you, the more likely your name will land on mailing, phone and e-mail lists used you more stuff you may not want or need. Consumer Reports Money Adviser recently reported on many of the ways retailers and service–providers use your personal information, as well as tactics to reduce your vulnerability. Do yourself and your family a favor and just say no.