Because it's *illegal*...

[Geek King]

Don't sweat it. No one's going to sue you. You're not passing yourself off as a doctor and there's a good samaritan exception that allows people to help others even if the help turns out to do more harm than good.

Um, not sure about the laws where you are, but the Good Samaritan exception usually only applies to emergancy situations when the person has consented to your aid, or is unable to tell you no.

And just for the record, you can be sued at any time for any reason. It does not have to be valid or even make sense. There was a lawsuit out there that claimed a judge was invalid because the American flag behind his podium had gold fringe around it.
Fortunately, most judges frown on frivolous lawsuits, and will dismiss them quickly. You still have to show up though, or the case will default.

[Fera Festiva]

They're used to having Mommy kiss it and make it all better.

They'll be lucky.

*Sigh* working in the game and software area of my store leads me to some very Gord moments. Usually "Where can I download this game for free?" (one we have on the shelf) or "How can I remove the protection on (games/CDs/commercial DVD's)?"

I don't remember if I posted about this at the time, but about a year ago, some kid came into the library barking out nonsense phrases in an excited manner. We eventually figured out he wanted to - ahem - "Log on to Google and play the new Grand Theft Auto game for free". My brain melted a little bit at the sheer volume of errors in that single sentence.

[Rapscallion]

I was once stopped when cleaning windows (used to be my job) in the middle of the local town by a guy asking me that since I was "a man of the world" (bwah?) I should know where the off licences (bottle shops) were.

This was at 7:30 am. At the time, they couldn't legally open until ten or eleven am.

Rapscallion

[Imogene]

DUDE: (looking around, seeing the staff on duty, almost all of which were people who were there almost every day for the last 900 years) "I don't really recognize anybody. But come on, man. I know you have to do this, but I live here. I work security at Blankety Blank Bar."

Correct response: Then you of all people should have an ID on you.

In fact, if I'm not mistaken, since he's Security, he absolutely HAS to have his ID on him. A badge, if nothing else... Misanthropical, can you back me up on that, or fix my errors?

[Misanthropical]

Juwl, I was never required to carry my Security ID on me when not on duty.

[Reyneth]

I work in a veterinary emergency clinic and routinely get people who are pissed at me that I can't diagnose and prescribe medications for animals over the telephone. "Oh, you just want my money," they say, completely missing the point that it is unethical and illegal.

Oh yeah, those dumb vets - always out to screw you over.

I mean, really - $200 to save the life of a valued family member? That's outrage! How DARE they expect to be paid for any services they provide?

/scarcasm

As someone who took my mom's cat to the emergency after-hours vet on a weekend, despite my mom's claims it would cost too much (granted, we ended up spending nearly $1,000 on the poor thing over a month), I thank you for what you do. It was well worth the $250 to me to get this poor cat's tail to stop bleeding, a new bandage put on and pain medication administered.

I don't know how anyone could be so callous regarding their pets.
Oh, wait. I'm forgetting the mom who microwaved her baby. People are sick.

[AFpheonix]

Don't sweat it. No one's going to sue you. You're not passing yourself off as a doctor and there's a good samaritan exception that allows people to help others even if the help turns out to do more harm than good.

Even as a pharmacy tech, I am expressly forbidden from giving out advice, even if I know what I'm talking about. I have to hand it off to the pharmacist. The reason being is that we have not had the additional schooling to make an educated answer, and if we steer that person wrong and they suffer further hurt, then we open not only ourselves but the company up to a big fat lawsuit. And lord knows, where there's potential money from a suit, there's a numbnut ready to do himself personal injury to get at it.

[Jester]

Correct response: Then you of all people should have an ID on you.

In fact, if I'm not mistaken, since he's Security, he absolutely HAS to have his ID on him. A badge, if nothing else... Misanthropical, can you back me up on that, or fix my errors?

Actually, I DID say to him that he should know better, and should have his ID on him.

As for security ID, I do not believe bouncers here have to carry ID with them when off-duty. For that matter, I don't know if they even need any security ID or badge when they are ON duty, other than their shirts that identify them as staff or security. That being said, even if he had his security ID with him, if such a thing exists, that would not have been enough for me to serve him alcohol. I STILL would need one of the four acceptable forms under Florida state law: state-issued driver's license, state-issued ID card, US Armed Forces ID card, or International Passport.

[surlykate]

As someone who took my mom's cat to the emergency after-hours vet on a weekend, despite my mom's claims it would cost too much (granted, we ended up spending nearly $1,000 on the poor thing over a month), I thank you for what you do.

Thanks, Reyneth. It's not that I don't sympathize with people for it being expensive, but the fact is that we aren't making much profit, usually it's just enough to cover our costs. People get used to having insurance or the state cover medical expenses.

Try getting x-rays at your human doctor for $100.

Kate

[Banrion]

People get used to having insurance or the state cover medical expenses.

You can get pet insurance now!! For $20.00 a year I have insurance that covers any Emergency vetrinary services, or any chronic/ longterm care bills. About the only thing it doesn't cover is the standard vaccinations and physical.