Originally Posted by
[Frostbitten]
Please discuss and share experiences; I doubt I'm alone on this.
I work at the cigarette kiosk at a supermarket. Had a pretty horrible experience yesterday. A woman came up to the desk with 3 teenage daughters. Asked for a brand of tobacco that we didn't have. She then asked one of the girls 'which tobacco -insert name here- would have instead', so I said I wouldn't be able to sell her anything without seeing the girls' IDs because legally I can't unless I am certain the product is for someone of age. She wasn't happy,called me a sad pathetic jobsworth amongst other things and demanded my name and managers details.
Typing it out, it doesn't sound that bad... But I feel awful. Her choice of the word 'pathetic' I think resonates because it plays a massive part in my own self critical inner monologue, and was frequently used by the bullies all those years ago. And I'm scared that I'll get in trouble... Or that it'll keep happening (that's two shifts in a row that have ended in tears now...)
Hey there, I completely sympathise. I work in a bar and ID'ing people can sometimes have a completely unexpected effect. I've had people round on me for it, have a go at people at the bar just for sitting there with an alcoholic drink (my boyfriend included) when I wouldn't serve them.
You were completely in the right, if you had sold the woman the tobacco with the girls around, and your boss had seen, you would have gotten into trouble. You behaved completely appropriately and did the right thing :)
And just remember, if its that big a deal to them - they can always go and get their ID to prove that their 18+! People tend to get arsey when they can't prove their age, which is their problem, not yours :)
Hope your feeling better