Carded. In Britain?

[rebness]

I went to ASDA today to pick up some stuff. In that eclectic, rather worrying Aquarian way, I ended up picking, alongside normal groceries, oysters. I only realised that they were, of course, live after the fish counter woman put them in the bag and then it was too late to just dump them elsewhere in the supermarket.

It was while I was standing idly at the till with my oysters, Grauniad and wine that I saw, plastered all along the row of cashiers, photographs of people obviously in their twenties with the message: 21? NOT SURE? REMEMBER TO ASK!

This didn't concern me, what with January meaning the terrible quarter of a century, so I concentrated instead on staring blankly ahead. That was until the cashier turned to me as the person ahead was packing and said, "I hope you don't mind... I just... I don't think you look 21. Do you have ID?"

"Um... no?" I said.

"We need to ask anyone who looks under 21."

"But I'm 24!" I cried, "nearly 25! For... I mean... the legal age to buy alcohol is eighteen, anyway!"

Then she went on and on and on about how terribly sorry she was, and how awful it was, but bloody Wal-Mart, who took over ASDA and swore they wouldn't bring their style of management over, is demanding that they only sell to people who look over 21 or who can prove otherwise. In the end, I fobbed her off with my European Health Insurance card, that I was thankfully still lugging around with me after Italy. She apologised several times again, and I left wondering whether to be bemused, flattered or annoyed. This had better not be a regular thing with that store. Feck off, Wal-Mart!

At home, I just remembered the oysters, so decided to eat my poor live suckers. Except I don't have an oyster knife, and they were buggers to open. I cut my hand twice-- thankfully, minor cuts. Then Mary hit upon the novel idea of throwing them outside. "Nutter!" I shouted indignantly, "that'll never wo--"

Mary held up the oyster, opened a little at the front, and whisked it open with a quick flick of her knife. "You were saying?" she asked.

I didn't answer. I was too busy drenching the slimy thing in lemon and cracked black pepper, before oyster boy suffered a melancholy death down the warm pinkish throat of Becky. Hahahaaa.

Comments

[versailles-rose.livejournal.com]

Bloody Walmart! The first time I tried to shop there they would not accept my Debit Card without an ID! WTF! ATM's don't demand ID! So I just stopped out...

Oysters. Yum.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

They're mental!

I remember I was at a store in the US -- I can't remember which one-- and I had to show ID to buy some wine. I didn't mind, as I was only 22 at the time, so I flicked out my passport. The woman stared at it, bemused. "I don't know how these things work."

I swear... geez.

Oysters are so good, aren't they? So fresh, so salty... I love them!

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Hang on, so if a 19 year old tries to buy a 6 pack in Asda, they'll be refused because Wal-Mart law insists on them being 21? Ludicrous. I'd have thrown a wobbler, personally, got the manager involved and made such a stink about it all. We don't often shop at Asda, and I don't think I look that young* so I doubt I'd get the chance though :(

* I was perfectly able to buy wine aged 15 without raising eyebrows

[rebness.livejournal.com]

It's absurd, isn't it?

Just so you know-- it was that super huge ASDA in Huyton. They're really anal about everything, so if you end up going there, have a ton of paperwork to back you up!

I never got away with underage drinking. I was too short and young-looking. Bah!

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Huyton? I thought you lived more Manchester way? ::is confuzzled:: I've not been there, we usually go to Aintree Asda. I'm buggered if I'm shopping anywyere I need paperwork to prove I can!

I've got a young face but always had a very mature manner so acted a lot older, which I think confused 'em nicely :)

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I'm sort of St. Helens way, but I don't mention exactly where on LJ.

I went to the Aintree ASDA back in May-- you know, they have so much more there than the massive Huyton store. I'd prefer to shop there, but it's too hard to get to.

Ha! Paperwork. They'll be demanding to see our passports next to prove we're legally entitled to be on their soil.

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Ah right... closer neighbour than I previously believed, is all... :)

Really? Its better than Huyton? That's supposed to be the flagship store isn't it, I know a friend of ours lives nearby so shops there and said its huge, though maybe its filled with lots of stuff a person doesn't want.

Didn't you know its un-American to have a passport? It suggests you might want to see other countries and there's nowhere better than the good ol' US of A, so everybody should just stay put and enjoy it.

[moon-chylde.livejournal.com]

I never got carded when I was underage. Only after I was legal did people start giving me hassles. Go figure.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

It's absurd.

You just don't get carded over here, full stop. I have no idea why Wal-Mart is trying to introduce it now.

[funnynamehere.livejournal.com]

This "over 21" thing irritates the fuck out of me. The legal age to buy drink in this country is 18. So you have to show identification to prove that you're 18. Not 21, not 25, not any other random age. Whilst nominally it's within the rights of the store to set whatever age they like, in practice it's discriminatory. You're 20, you can prove you're 20 and yet you still don't get served? Reverse it - "sorry, we don't serve the over 65s" - and it's a clear case of ageism. Ridiculous.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I don't like feeling stigmatised because I don't have more worry lines, or that I'm not so tall. I certainly look over eighteen at least, and that should be bloody good enough!

The ageism thing is starkly true. I might just try that argument out on them next time. After they've served me.

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

Wow, they're really cracking down on young oyster offenders.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

*Rolls up sleeves*

RIGHT. You, me, outside. Five minutes.

Don't hurt me.

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

Whateverer.

On the vagaries of carding for liquor: I used to go into liquor stores with my father all the time when I was underage, and he would buy me alcohol, and it was rather obvious what was happening. But apparently, that was okay. Only when I turned 18 and began entering stores on my own did I get carded. Apparently the logic is that parents aren't going to supply liquor to their underage children.

I haven't been asked for ID for a long time, though. I guess I seem tall and mature and definitely old enough. :p It probably also helps if you're buying, say, a $20 bottle of wine rather than a $10 pack of lollywater. And if you're not short.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I was buying good French wine! That should have earned me age points over the chavs trying to buy alcopops. Alas, I think you're right that it helps if you're not short. Stupid people discriminating against the vertically-challenged. >:

[ladydaydream.livejournal.com]

Right, being already over the dreaded age of 25, I must pay a visit to Asda. I will get down on my knees and worship anyone who asks me for my ID. But what if they don't think I look young anymore? Wahhhh :(

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Mary told me I look my age, two other people have told me I don't... so it's worth a gamble! :D

It's so very American. We're Yurpean, for God's sake! We're supposed to get away with excess and stuff.

[ladydaydream.livejournal.com]

Yeah I can understand people asking for ID if they think you're under 18 but 21 is ridiculous.

Mind you, I used to get asked a lot for ID in pubs and shops. I definitely think that being petite was a significant factor.

Regarding shellfish

[stovetop00.livejournal.com]

If it was dead going into the boiling water, don't eat it.

Re: Regarding shellfish

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I declined the chance to buy some whelks today because it said I had to boil them alive. For some reason, I thought swallowing something whole was more humane... I think I have to work out a moral code here. LOL!

[psychojello.livejournal.com]

Isn't all seafood (aside from fish) bought/cooked live? That's what really disturbs me about it...that whole animals cruelty thing just springs to mind. It makes me so sad.

LOL I remember the time I walked into the local Mac's and asked for a bus pass. The clerk asked me if I was needing it for high school this year. Heh.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but it still shocks me each time I buy seafood. One Christmas, our family had lobster for the evening repast and the fishmonger asked if I wanted it live. No way could I put it in a pan of boiling water! And I know it's hypocritical of me, but to kill the lobster myself? Erm.. no, thanks.

[psychojello.livejournal.com]

I know! I'm a total carnivore, but I don't want to see my meat in it's original 'state' before I eat it.

[avariecaita.livejournal.com]

Being carded at almost 25 for 21 isn't bad. Not too long ago (read within the last two years), I was carded for a rated R movie. That's 17 for those of you reading at home. DO I LOOK LIKE I'M SIXTEEN?! Sixteen was decades ago.

*angst* *drama* *waah*

Hmm, they might've had a point in carding me. >:)

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Ahaha! That's just embarrassing! ;)

But what fecktard Wal-Mart seem unable to understand is that these be European shores, man! The legal age is eighteen! Where did this 21 rule come from, and why do they hate me because I'm short?

*Angst, waa, emo -- my life is ruined*

Hmm. I think I'm proving your point there. :p

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

you have just grossed me out! :-( barf

[rebness.livejournal.com]

>:)

I got you to go to Yo Sushi, I shall definitely get you slurping an oyster. Well, maybe. LOL!

ZOMG speaking of horrible things, we need our annual mulled wine ickfest. I won't be able to make it over till mid December, but I'll e-mail you about all that.

[tsaress.livejournal.com]

yucky aren't you meant to eat them alive for the best flavour. I've only eaten them cooked so I'm pretty sure they were dead because they had cheese on them as well.

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

doubly grossed out and sick