conversations with cashiers

I have to admit, when I go shopping, I am always on a mission and rarely take the time to interact with the store employees.  This first conversation makes me think I'm on the right track, but the second one leads me to believe that I could be missing out on some real gems!

At Macy's, trying to put a pair of shoes on hold over the phone
Cashier: Okay, what is your name?
Me: Leslie
C: Can you spell that?
Me: L-E-S
C: O-A
Me: No, L-E
C: O-A
Me: L-E-S
C: O-A-S
Me: L-E-S-L-I-E
C: O-A-S-O-I-E
Me: L-E...You know what?  You have it right.  That's it.
C: Okay!  Wait.  Your name is Leslie?
Me: Yes
C: Well, that is not how you spell Leslie.
Okay, a) I am well aware that Leslie (or any other name, for that matter) is not spelled with five vowels and only one consonant, b) you are right...that is not how I spell Leslie; that is how you spell Leslie, and c) if you know how to spell Leslie, why did you ask me to spell it in the first place?!

At Home Depot, buying chair cushions from a chipper woman rockin' some denim shorts, folded down white ruffled socks (apparently they make those in adult sizes), and black clogs
Cashier: That will be ten dollars and eighty-one cents.
Me: Ah, that's the first thing I've paid tax on all day!
C: Yeah, but I hear the tax free thing is only for certain items.  I think maybe just for bras.  I heard those are tax free because school is starting.
Um, does anyone else wonder what the correlation is here?

So, if ever our carts meet in Kroger, you might not want to get in line behind me because I fully intend to chat it up with anyone who sports the logo!