This morning, before breakfast, I realized I was nearly out of milk. I schlepped down to the neighborhood sCumberland Farms (it’s a skosh over a block away) and grabbed a gallon, then got in line to pay – there was one guy ahead of me.
He was an older guy, maybe mid-40’s, with a craggy face and graying hair. He was buying what looked like a 32-ounce bottle of malt liquor.
The clerk behind the counter, while he could obviously tell the guy was of age, was sticking to the posted policy of “we card everyone.”
“Do you have an ID?”
The guy just smiled. “Sorry. Speak English very little.”
(More slowly) “When – were – you – born?”
More smiling and shaking of head. “No unnerstand.”
“What – is – your –age?”
Smiling still “No unnerstand.”
Finally the clerk, in frustration, took the guy’s money (paid in quarters) and sold him his booze. He took it and left.
Here’s a guy who can’t even speak enough English to understand a request for his ID, buying booze at seven on a Sunday morning.
And I thought I was screwed up…
J.
Comments (8)
He was an older g... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Boyd | June 6, 2004 7:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
He was an older guy, maybe mid-40's...
Ahem. Mid-40s is still young, I'll have you know.
Damn whippersnappers...
1. Posted by Boyd | June 6, 2004 7:03 PM |
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Posted on June 6, 2004 19:03
2. Posted by Sharleen Mondal | June 6, 2004 7:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Do you think he's screwed up because he can't speak English, because he's old, or because he was buying alcohol very early on a Sunday?
2. Posted by Sharleen Mondal | June 6, 2004 7:19 PM |
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Posted on June 6, 2004 19:19
3. Posted by Marc | June 6, 2004 7:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And he paid with quarters!
And I also resent that older guy crack! Damm youngin's no respect any more!
3. Posted by Marc | June 6, 2004 7:20 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 6, 2004 19:20
4. Posted by Jay Tea | June 6, 2004 7:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sharleen: D), all of the above.
Body, Marc: "Older" as in "Older than me." Guy probably had at about 10 years on me, and I feel plenty old (regardless of the calendar).
J.
4. Posted by Jay Tea | June 6, 2004 7:36 PM |
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Posted on June 6, 2004 19:36
5. Posted by McGehee | June 6, 2004 8:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You'll always be a whippersnapper to me, Jay.
5. Posted by McGehee | June 6, 2004 8:16 PM |
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Posted on June 6, 2004 20:16
6. Posted by Rodney Dill | June 6, 2004 8:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Nice catch Boyd, I was thinking how I would respond before I even finished reading the post. I'm mid forty's and I just finished beating my 14 year old daughter (my youngest) at Tennis, not that I'm any good, and she's just starting.
I always tell her that old age and treachery overcome youth and skill.
6. Posted by Rodney Dill | June 6, 2004 8:32 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 6, 2004 20:32
7. Posted by Paul | June 6, 2004 10:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think you are being to hard on the guy... Usually by the time I'm buying booze with with quarters at 7 in the morning, my English ain't too good neither.
7. Posted by Paul | June 6, 2004 10:10 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 6, 2004 22:10
8. Posted by Timmer | June 7, 2004 6:20 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Funny, all I can think of is that I haven't bought a quart at 7 in the morning with a bunch of quarters since college...and I had to stand in line because the late shift from the candy factory was letting out. Quite a few of them didn't speak English very well either as I recall.
8. Posted by Timmer | June 7, 2004 6:20 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 7, 2004 06:20