Home > a charmed life > Archives > 2009 > August > 25 > Entry
The worst question, ever!
I visited a local superstore yesterday to pick up a few groceries. I also happened to pick up a bottle of wine, because it’s full of antioxidants and I care about my heart, and all.
Anyway, the cashier scanned the wine, and instead of the price coming up on the screen, the question, “Is the customer over
40?” came up.
Well. That’s new.
Usually, I have no problem NOT being carded. I mean, the drinking age is 21, and I know I don’t look 21. I have a daughter who’s nearly 21, so the youngest I can even pretend to be is… oh, you do the math.
But, this was different. At 44, I’m not THAT much older than 40 (just play along here), and even though I never lie about my age (I said, play along here) I found myself holding my breath while I waited to see what the cashier would say.
Her response? “Oh, I don’t know. Are you?”
Of course I answered honestly, but I left wondering WHY some man (I’m sorry, but I just KNOW it had to be a man!) would pick that random age to ask. Why not 29? Or 33?
I really don’t think I can stand the level of scrutiny required for someone to try to determine whether I’m older than 40, so I’m leading the call to bring back 21 as the determining age.
Should that fail, however, I better get carded from now on. I’m just saying.
Comments
By Sharon
August 25, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this
I feel sorry for the store workers, that just has to be awkward because some customers may just get offended and then take it out on the employee.
By Cindi
August 26, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
I totally agree, Denise. THE worst question EVER!! I always want to be carded, it just gives me warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Or if they just have to ask, they should just say, “are you 21?”, since that is all the law requires! Love this column, good laugh!
By Josh
September 1, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
Very funny. Of course on the other end are people like Britt who, at the tender age of 25, get very upset when they are carded because they look 12. Of course maybe that’s just her, and there are no other people like that, but for her sake we can pretend just a little more. :)
By JR
September 6, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this
So do you have to be 40 now to buy wine? If you’d been 39, would they not let you buy the wine? What’s up with this?
By JBo
September 8, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
I still think the worst question ever is “When is the baby due?” followed by the awkward response of “I’m not pregnant” or “My baby is two months old now.”
Sadly, I got the latter one from a lady in my office…but in my defense, her tummy was under the desk and I was just trying to make chit-chat.
By txcat
September 10, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
Wait until you are asked for the first time if you qualify for the senior citizen discount.