> I've never seen such behavior in my life.

Which behavior, the asking for phone numbers or the getting annoyed?

Many major chains in the US have some sort of "loyalty" program that requires a phone number, email address, or both.

As for the getting annoyed, I've gotten countless eyerolls and a few snide comments when I've politely declined to give a phone number.

It was a thing at Radio Shack while they were in their death throes. Then they made a big deal about not doing that anymore.