Young before my time
I just popped into the supermarket to buy some ‘refreshments’ for the weekend.
‘How old are you? Do you have any ID?’ the woman at the register asked politely.
‘Er… 35′ I replied, adding jokily ‘I guess I should take this as a compliment?’
‘No’ she snapped back ’You just look young and I have to ask.’
Now what I should have asked her is exactly how many under-aged drinkers buy single malt whisky, real ale, stilton and stuffed olives. Or perhaps I really do look young and teenage girls don’t just drink Malibu and coke anymore.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
A typically sunny English response. God, we’re a nation of cheery souls aren’t we?
I’d be so thrilled if that happened to me. Fat chance.
November 20th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
ISBW took the words right out of my mouth…. We are a nation of miserable f**kers, particularly where shop work is concerned. Sure, it’s not the job you maybe wanted, but how hard is it to make eye contact and (god forbid) SMILE??!! I notice it even more when I come back from places like Canada…
But wee you really selling it all to the 14 year olds outside?? c’mon, I know you were…. “oy misus, get us 10 snouts and a single malt will ya?”
P
November 20th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Ah dear, I’ve become used to it. It’s true though Piley, you really notice just how un-cheery people are when you come back from somewhere else.
I’m was impressed by her peeved jobs-worthiness though. I mean really, did she think that I was that young and see no humour whatsoever in her asking the question?!
November 20th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I had the reverse this week on my trip to the dentists after checking a few of my gaps where a couple of teeth are missing (previous extraction) he suggested “at your age it may be worth thinking about dentures” cheeky bugger!!
November 20th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Why not just be done with it and rip them all out now Mondo? Just think of the fun you can have being ‘old gummy’ and scaring young children?
November 21st, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I was behind a woman in tescos recently that this happened to, she was quite a striking figure clearly not younger than 21 (29 it turned out later). At first she was quite pleased and then understandably as she was asked for proof of her age more annoyed. It wasn’t helped a) by the surly assistant b) that the same person had just served a street drinker who was clearly already drunk and had been being aggressive in the queue. The woman who turned out to be lawyer (her high court ID card wasn’t good enough for Tescos) was about to storm out when simultaneously myself and the female customer at the next till offered to put it through on our bills. The woman on the till didn’t seem to mind even though we were potential buying booze for a minor! It was of course annoying all round especially as we left the street drinker was outside berating the passersby his fresh bottle of cider in hand.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
C’mon mondo get em done… it’s why you’re only good for podcasts mate… ;-)