A woman comes up to the register with her nine-ish-year-old son and hands me the latest version of “Grand Theft Auto”.

Me: “Ma’am, just so you know, this game is rated mature. It contains violence, sex, and swearing, among other things.”

Customer: “Oh, no, it’s okay. He goes to a private Christian school, so they can pray that all out of him.”

Me: “I… see? As long as you’re absolutely sure you want to get this for him.”

Customer: “It’s okay. I make him play with the sound off.”

Related:
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 17
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 16
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 15
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 14
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 13

A Hispanic kid, around ten years old, comes in with his mom and looks around the store for a minute. He then gravitates toward “Grand Theft Auto” and proceeds to pick it up and bring it to the front. I explain to his mother, in English:

Me: “Just so that you’re aware, this game is rated M for violence, language, sexual content, and drugs.”

She gives me a blank look, and then she looks at the kid and asks what I just said in Spanish.

Customer’s Kid: “He’s just asking whether this is the correct game.”

My coworker, who overheard all this, came over and told the mother in Spanish what I’d really said.

She proceeded to tell the kid to put down the game box, slapped him upside the head, and pulled him by the arm as they left the store.

Related:
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 16
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 15
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 14
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 13
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 12

This mother and a young kid come in and they purchase a copy of “Grand Theft Auto V”. I give the usual warning about beating hookers to death and stealing, but the mother brushes it off and buys the game

A week later, the kid comes in with his copy.

Kid: “Can I trade this in for something else?”

Me: “Oh, why? Didn’t you like it?”

Kid: “My friends said this was fun, but everyone’s really bad and rude, and I almost said a bad word to one of the black men, so I wanna play something else.”

Since GTA V is a really hot item in the store, and because his response made me skip a beat, he got a large amount of store credit which he used to happily buy some more age-appropriate games. I wish more people could have that level of introspective thinking.

Related:
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 15
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 14
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 13
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 12
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 11

I’m the assistant manager at a local video game store. While I’m younger — still in my twenties — the owner promoted me because of my customer service skills and my knowledge of systems and games. I have multiple facial piercings and tattoos, which customers often make comments on. A woman and her son come in.

Customer: “I need Grand Theft Auto for the 3DS.”

Me: “Unfortunately, there are no Grand Theft Auto games for the 3DS. There was one for the DS, but that was it.”

Customer: “Ugh, you’re so stupid. They make those games for everything.”

Me: “Nintendo actually is a bit picky on what games can be made for their systems. We have it for other systems, though. Or I can suggest some other games for the 3DS?”

Customer: “You don’t know anything about games! You just fill your body with trash like metal and probably try to steal!”

While I’ve been given grief about my appearance before, I also know where to draw the line.

Me: “Okay, you need to leave. You can come back when you’re able to handle the situation better.”

Customer: “What?! No, I’m not leaving! I want your manager!”

Me: “I am the manager.”

Customer: “Liar! Fine. If you’re going to be like that, we’ll go to [National Chain]!”

She drags her son out. A couple of hours later, he comes back in. Luckily, his mom isn’t with him.

Customer’s Kid: “I’m sorry my mom was a jerk to you. I asked for Smash Bros for the 3DS, but she thought I wanted Grand Theft Auto.”

Me: “Hey, parents can be wild sometimes. I’ve got Smash here if you still want it.”

The son ended up becoming a regular, usually with his dad. They’re always polite and friendly. The mom has only come back in once and refused to speak or look at me.

Related:
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 14
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 13
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 12
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 11
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 10

(I’m a regular at a video game store. While I don’t know all of the games, I’m familiar with popular franchises. I’m hanging out at the store and talking to the manager when a woman and her young son, maybe ten, come in.)

Mother: “What game were you looking for?”

Son: “Grand Theft Auto! The newest one!”

(The manager gets a pained look on her face. I step aside from the counter as they go to buy the game.)

Manager: “Is this all today?”

Mother: “Yeah, I guess.”

Manager: “I’ll need to check your ID.”

Mother: “What for? I’m only buying it.”

Manager: “Ma’am, it’s rated Mature. Store policy says I have to ask for your ID to make sure you can buy this.”

Mother: “Oh, hold on…”

(As she’s getting her ID out, I speak up.)

Me: “Ma’am, do you even know what this game is?”

Mother: “No, it’s for my kid. I don’t play video games.”

Me: “I’ll warn you that it’s incredibly violent, and has offensive language and content.”

Mother: “Oh? Like what?”

(The kid is glaring at me now, but I continue.)

Me: “There’s the option of buying prostitutes off of street corners, or visiting a strip club and getting a private dance. Plus, there are characters that will use profanity.”

Mother: “WHAT?!” *turns to her son* “YOU SAID IT WAS ABOUT STOPPING CRIMINALS!”

Son: “She’s lying! She doesn’t play video games; she’s a f***ing GIRL!”

(The woman drags her still-yelling son out of the store. My manager looks at me.)

Manager: “Hey, [My Name], want a job here?”

Related:
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 13
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 12
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 11
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 10
Grand Theft Innocence, Part 9