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The nearest local Quick-E-Mart to me is a Co-operative Food, it’s not bad, a good range and some nice ready meals, prices a bit more expensive than the Supermarket, but that’s to be expected.
However it’s only 5 mins walk away and doesn’t need a car (So I’m reducing my carbon footprint, aren’t I the good little green warrior)
A few weeks ago they introduced ‘Under 25’ That if you look ‘Under 25’ when attempting to buy Fags or Booze you will be asked for ID.
Now my thoughts on this, is that as well as it’s stated purpose of reducing under age drinking, I believe an intended by-product is that those who are between 18-25 (or older) will not wish to be ‘Carded’ and so not buy alcohol or tobacco because it is one of the few ages in your life where you actually want to be thought of as older than you actually are, it is exactly as if they are calling you a child in public and how insulting is that.
So far, so standard to the progress of the new puritans.
Here’s where the further denormalisation comes in.
Two weeks ago (according to staff) a directive came from Head Office that ALL Alcohol and Tobacco sales to anyone, had to be approved by a specified staff member.
As this is only a smallish shop, this means only The Manager can sell or authorise the sale of Alcohol or Tobacco.
In practice, as managers do not like to work the check-out and would rather be off ‘managing things’. It works like this.
You rock up to the check out with your basket of sundries, the girl starts ringing them through an lo and behold she comes across a bottle of Chilean Cab Sav for £3.99 (on special , it’s quite nice if you hold your nose when drinking).
The bell is rung to summon The Manager
You wait
The people behind you wait.
The bell is rung again
You wait some more
The people behind you wait some more (they are beginning to ‘tut’ )
The Manager eventually arrives from whatever manager cubby hole he has been skulking in, emits a harassed sigh and gives you a filthy look as you have interrupted his 'managing of things'. (Have they had training in this, I wonder)
He inputs his 6 digit code
He fucks off again.
You complete your purchase and leave.
Yet just as you leave you hear the bell being rung again, some dirty bastard has asked for 20 Benson’s.
You can feel they level of frustration and hatred by those in the queue behind without alcohol or intent to purchase tobacco step up a little.
Now, it is not directed at the store policy or the stupid manager that doesn’t wait to see if anyone else wants booze or fags before fucking off.
It’s directed at you, by your selfish actions in wishing to purchase a perfectly legal product, you have delayed them.
You are no longer one of us, you are now one of ‘Them’
You have been denormalised.
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