Carded for Life: How One Clerk’s Petty Revenge Became a Rite of Passage
Let’s be honest: nothing gets people fired up quite like being asked for their ID at the checkout counter. For some, it’s a compliment. For others, an affront to their perceived maturity. But for one Redditor working retail, asking for ID isn’t just a job requirement—it’s a chance for a little delicious, harmless, and oh-so-petty revenge.
Meet u/llexii_writes, the hero (or villain, depending on how attached you are to your wallet) of today’s story. When an entitled 19-year-old customer tried to buy alcohol and threw a tantrum about being carded—bragging, illegally, about buying booze at 14—our intrepid clerk decided to make ID checks his own personal crusade. Every. Single. Time. The customer comes in, it’s “ID, please.” Picture? Not good enough. Memory? Doesn’t count. Even after the guy turns 25, the answer will still be the same: “Let’s see that ID.”
So, why do people get so worked up over a little piece of plastic? And who really wins this power struggle between retail worker and would-be rebel? Let’s dive into the world of petty revenge, liquor laws, and the unexpected joys (and headaches) of being carded.
When Policy Meets Pettiness: The Making of a Carding Legend
It’s easy to think of ID checks as a minor inconvenience, but as u/llexii_writes points out, there are real consequences for not following the rules. “You look and/or are under 25, you get ID. That’s the rule. I’m not risking my job for your ego.” That line alone, which one commenter called “a gem of a statement,” sums up the impossible bind many retail workers find themselves in.
What started as a simple policy enforcement turned into an ongoing battle of wills. The customer’s attempts to shame the clerk—“I was buying alcohol here at 14!”—backfired spectacularly. Instead of intimidating the employee, he inspired a lifetime of ID checks. As u/zerglette101 wryly observed, the real petty revenge is stopping someone from buying anything whenever they “forget” their ID.
But is it really revenge if you’re just following the rules? As u/Alexis_J_M asked, “Where’s the revenge? All you are doing is enforcing the law.” Yet, as the OP clarified, there comes a point when you could technically let things slide for familiar faces—but why make it easy for someone who’s rude to you? Petty? Maybe. Satisfying? Absolutely.
The Community Weighs In: Carding Tales and Retail Realities
The story struck a nerve with the r/PettyRevenge community, sparking a flood of hilarious, exasperated, and sometimes heartwarming responses. For many, being carded isn’t an insult—it’s a rare treat. Take u/dachsie-knitter-22, who quipped, “If you asked for mine I would laugh & thank you but…..I’m 64.” Or u/DueBet4, who was “so excited” to be ID checked at 35. Meanwhile, u/ImNotOld-ImSage summed up the sentiment of a certain age group: “Ahhh there comes a point in your life, where getting carded is such a compliment!”
Others shared the darker side of retail: the ever-present threat of getting fired or fined for a single mistake. u/RetiredUpNorthMN explained, “One of the store owner’s employees got busted for selling to a minor, got fired, and the store received a big fine. So now everybody gets carded. For all you know, he could be a plant to see if you bend the rules/laws.” In other words: one slip-up, and your career could be over. Suddenly the endless ID requests make a lot more sense.
Then there are the technical nightmares: u/crash866 recounted how, at nearly 65, buying root beer in New York locked up the store’s entire POS system. The Canadian ID format confused the software so badly that the cashier nearly wept, and a manager had to intervene just to process the sale. “Are you Canadian?” he finally asked, as if that explained everything.
And yet, some people still get offended. u/SkinnyDaveSFW couldn’t understand it: “Whip it out. Make a big production number of it if you want to express your displeasure… but just do it and get ON with your life!” Most commenters agreed: if you’re old enough, what’s the problem?
Lessons from the Liquor Line: Bring Your ID (and Your Chill)
The consensus? If you’re buying alcohol, bring your ID—no matter how old you are, how gray your hair is, or how many times you’ve been to that store. As u/Notmykl succinctly put it, “No one is worth the fines and jail time from failing a liquor sting.” You might think you’re a regular or you look “old enough,” but the rules don’t care, and neither does the register. Some stores card everyone, every time, no exceptions. Others leave it to the clerk’s discretion—but if you’re rude, expect to see that ID scanner a lot.
And if you’re ever on the other side of the counter? Remember, the person asking for your ID isn’t doing it to ruin your day—they’re just trying to keep their job. As u/Crafty-tater noted, “My job security means more to me than Grandpa Jim’s need to buy his 30 pack of Coors every weekend.” Ouch, but fair.
Of course, there’s always room for a little fun. As one top commenter, u/ChefArtorias, suggested, the ultimate petty move is to greet the difficult customer with, “Good to see you again! …got your ID?”—a strategy the OP happily agreed to adopt.
Conclusion: The Carding Chronicles Continue
So next time you’re asked for your ID, channel your inner 64-year-old and take it as a compliment—or at least as a sign that someone’s just doing their job (and maybe enjoying a little petty revenge). Carry your ID, keep your cool, and remember: if you make a scene, you might just earn yourself a lifetime membership in the “Always Carded” club.
Have a hilarious carding story or retail revenge tale to share? Drop it in the comments below—just don’t forget to prove you’re old enough to join the conversation!
Original Reddit Post: This arrogant client that I keep asking for his ID