I'm not too young. You're too old.

[HereWeGo]

I am a cashier at a supermarket. We sell beer, of course. Our policy is to card anyone that appears under the age of forty, which I think is kind of stupid, but apparently the older folks were getting mad when asked for their ID when our policy was to card everyone. And because we're not allowed to ask their age but we must be very, very sure they are over the age of forty (or Very Bad Things Will Happen) training presses us to only forego asking for ID if they're silver-haired and puttering around with a cane.

This presents its own problems because if we don't see an ID then we need a manager's key turned on the register to override the sale of alchohol, effectively making older people wait longer to purchase beer as a manager is called over. I guess as long as the customer's feelings aren't hurt because he had to show ID.

This usually turns back on me, the cashier, however. 8 times out of ten, it plays out like this:

Me: The one and only!
ROM: Really Old Man

Me: You're total is $XX.xx. And if you could wait just a moment please. We need to get a manager's key turned for the sale of alchohol.
ROM: What!? Why?
Me: It's store policy.
*ROM suddenly smiles knowingly and winks conspiratorily at me*
ROM: Oh, I get it. You're underage.
*ROM nudges his wife*
ROM: Susan, she's underage!

At which point he stares off into the distance and gloats while I want to scream, "I'm not too young. You're too old!" It just burns me that this rule is in place to satiate the egos of these people who are only further placated by telling themselves that their purchase is being held up because of MY age. (I'm an adult, thankyouverymuch.) I've seen their faces--it actually makes them feel better to smirk at me. For this reason I rarely correct them, because I'd rather be talked down to than put up with a fussy customer that has to face the truth that they are being inconvenienced because of their age.

Oh, for the chance to give them a moment of honesty.

[South Texan]

*ROM suddenly smiles knowingly and winks conspiratorily at me*
ROM: Oh, I get it. You're underage.
*ROM nudges his wife*
ROM: Susan, she's underage!

What is it about old people always thinking there is an ulterior motive in anything that happens AND that they are "clever" enough to spot and call it? It used to drive me bonkers when I had to deal with them. No matter what I did, they thought it was some scam.

[marasbaras]

I'm 41 ... honestly, I'd rather store policy was that you asked me for ID so that the sale could go quickly AND you could avoid twits like that. When I'm shopping, I'm in favor of whatever makes things go smooth and simple for all involved.

[jrh215]

I never really got what the big deal was about showing ID, even if you were over 18 or 21. You should know how things are nowadays--ever hear of the cops sending kids into stores to buy cigarettes or alcohol, then busting the stores if sales are made illegally? Who could blame stores for wanting to be extra careful? Even though some of the policies about checking everyone's ID are pretty stupid, just comply and make things easier.

At one of the movie theaters around here, cops will be there on Friday and Saturday nights checking IDs of everyone going into and R-rated movie. I'd love to see some jackass argue with a cop like they would a cashier. Taser, anyone?

[freaktard]

At the store I frequent, the cashiers are allowed to bypass asking for ID if the customer appears to be of legal age. In these cases, they just enter "11-11-11" when the register asks for the birthdate.

I'm tempted to ask if any older customers get offended at being told they look 96.

[Misanthropical]

I never get offended if I'm asked for ID. I take it as a complement! HEY! I'M 37 AND I GOT CARDED!

My husband who is in his 50s got carded for buying me a cough suppressant that is sold over the counter without going to the pharmacist. He was pleased as punch all day.

I don't get people who get offended or think it's some great conspiracy.

I have had old people think I'm calling to rip off their last dime or steal their identity. Trust me, I'm not about to steal someone else's identity, especially one who is in collections.

I love when they go off on how much money I have and am just out to steal theirs. Why they think I make huge amounts of money is beyond me. I don't get a cut of they money I collect.

[Sableonblonde]

I also don't understand why people have to get all up in arms over showing ID. It just takes a damn second.

I didn't even get carded when I went out on my 21st birthday! I was so bummed. My first legal drink, and I was all prepared to whip out my ID and go ta-da, yet the waitress didn't even blink when I ordered my frothy alcoholic beverage. How anti-climatic.

It's kind of funny. I probably get carded about 50% of the time. (I'm 25 now). Whenever I don't get carded, I feel this sense of horror, and think to myself "Oh my God, how old do I look?!?!"

But then the other half of the time when I attempt to make my alcoholic purchases, I'll get suspicious looks and will be asked for my ID in a way that seems to suggest the bartender/liquor store clerk thinks I am full of shit. Then they'll check my ID and blink in surprise and say they didn't think I was that old. So which is it?? I guess it depends on the person selling me the alcohol, or else I tend to look older or younger depending on the day or what kind of outfit I have on. No clue!

[poofy_puff]

"11-11-11" when the register asks for the birthdate.

Eleventy-one!

[aurelemsrealm]

Here, we are required by law to card for alcohol regardless of age. Tobacco and lottery are less restrictive going by a card if in doubt type of standard. Ephedrine not only requires ID, but also information recorded in a log book. I wish they'd make ephedrine available only in pharmacies. Unless you're asthmatic or have other such respiratory problems, there's no sensible reason to buy it, in my opinion. The pillheads just really annoy me about as bad as the entitlement whores who think they don't need to show ID. I guess because that stuff has been used to make meth, and I don't care for having to deal with it or the clientele it seems to attract. I must be old-fashioned because I prefer coffee or soda for my energy boosts, maybe one of the less disgusting of the energy drinks if my regular caffiene boost is not doing the trick. I don't care much for Red Bull. I prefer Amp, Full Throttle, or Starbucks Double Shot if I feel the need for an extra boost.

[alphaboi]

...At one of the movie theaters around here, cops will be there on Friday and Saturday nights checking IDs of everyone going into and R-rated movie. I'd love to see some jackass argue with a cop like they would a cashier. Taser, anyone?

Movie ratings do not have the force of law in United States. The police have no authority to check IDs at the theatre.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Why is it so funny if you were under the age to sell alcohol? It would mean you were a responsible young person working to make some money instead of expecting your parents to hand you everything.

You should tell them that if they want, they can just show their ID and they'll get out a little quicker. It really shouldn't be so complicated.

[Becks]

At the store I frequent, the cashiers are allowed to bypass asking for ID if the customer appears to be of legal age. In these cases, they just enter "11-11-11" when the register asks for the birthdate.

Sounds like the place where I work.

They only carded me ONCE. When I'd been working there for over three years.

[Imogene]

I had a customer the other morning who paid with a check. Store policy is we need a driver's license, and we write down their license number, the expiry date of said license, their phone number, and our initials for any check under $100 (over requires an FES sign it too). This lady watched me write the expiry date on her check, and said, "Do I look that young to you? I was born in *blahbity-blah*!"
I looked up from the check, and stated, "I'm not writing in your birthdate, Ma'am, I'm writing the expiration."

[Bagga]

ID?

You should love it. If your country issues it, carry it with you always. If you are in an accident, they can find out who you are, maybe get important medical details, contact your family. If you are a suspect in a crime, you can prove that you are a different John Doe, you can prove you are too old or too young for that situation and so on.

As for identity theft and infringrement of personal liberties? Pah, if "THEY" wanna do that it is a piece of cake without you worrying about your ID card. How is it in the UK that I was receiving water rates bills for The Occupier, and 5 days after I got pressganged on to the electoral roll I received a similar bill addressed to me by name?

I scared a paranoid internet friend almost to death once. He refused to tell me his address online even though I wanted to send him some books. I knew his first name, roughly where he lived, and a friend of his had played his char in an mmorpg for an evening and let slip details about the size of his house. My paranoid friend was gobsmacked when 20 minutes after he refused these details I told him his name, address, and telephone number, and sent him a picture of his house.

I didn't send him the books though.

[aurelemsrealm]

Well, I would've been a little paranoid about a person's intentions if they'd have told me that they knew all of those details about me without having volunteered them. I know it's possible to find out what you want if you're determined enough, but there is something unnerving about it. I've been through the situation of fending off a stalker before, so I'm cautious about sharing personal information about myself even though I'm perfectly able to take care of myself in most situations.

I think I understand your point, but it would have still made me feel uneasy to have you tell me that you knew all of that about me. Then again, I'm a fairly private person, and like feeling I can come and go at my leisure.