I stood in line today at the local convenience store. Ironically named SHORT STOP. In front of me was a woman. She had eight different x-large cans of beer. The woman behind the counter was trying to explain to her that she had two different kinds. Therefore, two different prices would apply. This explanation went on for awhile and the line continued to grow behind me. Now I hate waiting in line. If there’s a line at a restaurant and they say it’ll be more than 15 minutes, forget about it. I’d rather drive around for two hours looking for another restaurant without a line. Yet I consider myself a great waiter. When it comes to waiting on others. In the occupational sense. Which brings me to my next point: there are different kinds of waiting. Especially when it comes to waiting in line. Waiting behind a slow-moving, little old lady…no problem. A little kid laying out her change so the cashier can take the right amount…I rather enjoy that kind of experience. Even being behind someone with lots of groceries — sometimes it can be fun judging them ruthlessly in my head and feeling far superior because among my purchases I’ve included a banana. Today what I really had a problem with wasn’t the fact the woman in front of me was drunk. It wasn’t the fact that she was confused and kept leaving her place in line to switch out her libation. It didn’t even bother me when the cashier was explaining the subtle difference between the Lite and Regular beer cans. Not even the result of her explanation, which somehow brought the woman to tears. The more I thought about it the more I realized what really made me angry about the situation. Why on God’s green earth was the cashier selling her more alcohol? As a server in a restaurant I had to go through state-mandated classes that taught me about over-serving someone. It also made me aware of my responsibility and liability. In Illinois, “a licensee who causes the intoxication of a customer may be held responsible for injury or damage caused by that intoxicated person.” Which means not only is the establishment responsible but the individual server is too. So, not only is it illegal to serve or sell alcohol to a intoxicated person, it’s also thoughtless and just really stupid. So what’s the deal? Is it any different for the cashier selling the booze? I know that like a server she has to check ID. Doesn’t she need to assess the purchaser too? I have to say there was no doubt this woman was soused, tears were pouring from her glazed eyes, she was stumbling and slurring her words as she apologized to the line. She was befuddled when she put all her change on the counter so the cashier could take the right amount. I think if you sell booze you are involved and you have a moral obligation to take care of the people you serve and profit from. When people drink, they lose the ability to make good decisions as well as losing their reflexes. The cashier also has an obligation to protect innocent people from any harm the over-served customer might cause before she sobers up. A little more effort on her part can really make a difference. Especially to those of us waiting in line behind her.
Sorry,but that’s just the way I feel. I’m getting off my soapbox now and having a drink. Responsibly.
Michael Wexler is a Chicago actor who has been cast in theater productions, feature films, national TV commercials, TV series and voiceover work. More information about Michael can be found on his website Michaelwexler.weebly.com or email him directly at michaelwex@gmail.com.
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