Thanks to the OP and everyone for sharing. What fascinating, harrowing memories, and I certainly have a few of my own!
I would cringe a little inside when it became obvious that the cashiers at a certain liquor store knew me, or would say something like "getting ready for [x sports event or something]?!" and I would just say, sure!, as if I were buying all this for a party. The last several years I had switched to just wine and beer, so I could pretty easily stock up at different grocery stores, gas stations, Target, etc, but still, I'm sure some of the regular cashiers would think, here's Mr. Box of Wine again.