I have worked most of my adult life in different gas stations, usually in the evenings or overnights, so I’ve seen almost every ridiculous or crazy thing you could imagine. I also know the rules and the laws pretty well, seeing as I’ve been doing this line of work for many years now. This interaction has stuck with me, though.
It was late evening, and it had been pretty slow when this tall dude comes in.
Tall Dude: “Hey! Can I get a charger for [Popular vape] and a can of this [Popular tobacco-less chew]?”
Me: “Sure thing! Got your ID on ya?”
Tall Dude: “Uh… no. But I’m twenty-four! And I have my social security card and insurance on me!”
Me: *Putting everything back.* “Sorry, but I can’t accept either of those. Find your ID, though, and I’ll be more than happy to get those back out for you!”
Tall dude seems to accept this and goes back out to his truck. I notice his girlfriend is in the truck with him, and they talk for a minute. Then the girlfriend comes in
Girlfriend: “I need that charger and that chew. I have a picture of my ID on my phone.”
I don’t even move to pull the items out.
Me: “I’m sorry, but I can’t sell them to you. I already denied your friend, and even if I didn’t see y’all talking and you didn’t ask for the same exact thing he did, I can’t accept pictures of IDs.”
Girlfriend: “Well, why not? The gas station down the road lets us all the time, and the cops accept pictures of IDs. We’re both twenty-four. Just sell me the stuff!”
Me: “Ma’am, I’m not losing my job over a can of chew. Anybody can tell me they’re any age, and I have no way to know if you are telling me the truth or not. Pictures on your phone can be edited really easily.”
The girlfriend huffs and starts poking through her phone. [Tall Dude] has come back in with his social and insurance and is trying to hide behind his girlfriend.
Girlfriend: “Here!” *Shoves her phone in my face.* “This is my Instagram, and this is a post I made on his birthday, specifically saying ‘Happy 24th Birthday, [Tall Dude]!’. You can’t edit Instagram like that! Just sell me the chew already, or I WILL be calling your boss! Jeez! It’s just a job, you are taking it waaaay too seriously!”
I just look at her for a second, hoping against hope that one of them will realize how absolutely ridiculous they sound.
Me: “No. Instagram is not a valid form of ID. At all. If the other gas station wants to accept your pictures of ID, that’s on them, and you can try over there, but I will not be selling anything to y’all. Have a nice night.”
Girlfriend: *Loses it.* “I will be calling your boss, and I hope you lose your pathetic little job, you f****** b****!”
My relief comes in as the couple stomps out, still berating and cussing me out.
Coworker: “What in the h*** happened?”
Me: “Apparently, I’m supposed to accept Instagram as ID now…”