I am super ungood (not a real word) at guessing ages. Therefore, when I serve adult beverages, I card everyone … just to be on the safe side. It keeps me on the safe side of the law anyway. Safe from angry customers? Now, that’s another story.
I carded an older man once, assuming that he would be flattered by this act. I think he was very unflattered (also not a real word) judging by his response of, “I didn’t live this old to be made into a joke by you!” Also, I don’t think he realized that I actually get paid to make everyone into a joke, not just him.
That older man was not alone though. There are a whole lot of people who get irritated when they have to show their ID for something. My husband for example, has been staging a one-man protest against AM/PM for carding him a few years ago. He isn’t protesting all AM/PM stores though, just the one on Eighth Street in Port Angeles that carded him. He isn’t hardcore enough to go corporation-wide with it. I think he likes their hot dogs too much.
Unfortunately for my husband, the older man I carded, and all the rest of you who hate to show ID, there are more and more things that require ID these days. DayQuil is now only available to those who can prove they are 21 or older. I know because I got carded for it the other day. Well, I didn’t technically get carded. The cashier just winked and said that she knew that I was good. She should really be more careful about those kinds of things though. I could have been part of an underage DayQuil sales sting operation. After all, I just barely turned 21 … 10 years ago.
Anyway, I was laughing and joking with my co-workers about how there is an age requirement for buying cold medicine when another co-worker walked up. “What are you guys talking about?” She asked. “You have to be 21 to buy DayQuil now.” I replied. “I just got carded for it.” A funny look spread across her face. It was a look that I couldn’t quite read at first. “Hmmm … that’s weird. It must be a new thing!” She responded with a huge smirk and a half laugh. “They definitely weren’t carding me when I was buying it every day in high school.”
Now, I will admit that this co-worker did not specifically say that she incorrectly used DayQuil or that she bought it for purposes other than treating symptoms associated with the flu. However, the look on her face and the tone in her voice said all I needed to know. So, the next time you are in Thrifty with a horrible cold, just trying to get in and get out with some DayQuil and you have to dig through 749 used Kleenexes in your purse to find your ID, just know that it is my co-worker’s fault.
Her name is Jen. You’re welcome.
For questions, comments or answers to other major mysteries of the world, e-mail me at christyrasmussen@yahoo.com.
