Rich Assholes Rule America...

If you go into a Rite Aid to buy a lighter...

...in this case, it was a BIC lighter...be sure to bring your ID with you.

I just got carded trying to purchase that lighter, but my ID was out in my car.

I pointed out to the automoton at the checkout that "I am 60 years old, why are you asking me for ID? Do I look like I'm 12 years old?"

Clerk sez, "it is corporate policy to require ID for the purchase of smoking products," then he says "in order for you to not get any more stressed out, I will cancel this transaction" (which, btw, included several other non "smoking products&quot , to which I said "you've already caused me undue stress, and wasted my time, with your ridiculous zero tolerance bullshit policy. And fuck Rite Aid" as I walked out of the store.

I went to a Walgreens, bought a lighter, asked them if they had ever heard of carding people who buy lighters, clerk said "never."

So now, according to Rite Aid, a lighter is a "smoking product." Has this happened to anybody else?

I know that ultimately, this is a trivial event, but I was caught off-guard by it, and aggravated by this fucking corporate rule which treats its customers like children.

Suffice to say, after over 35 years of being a loyal, regular customer at this very same Rite Aid location, I will never set foot in or spend another penny at any Rite Aid, ever again.

Later, after cooling down a bit, I called the store and spoke - in a civil tone - to the manager, but she kept talking over me as I explained why, after 35+ years of being a loyal customer I would never spend another penny there, but she just hung up on me.

Fuck the Corporate Nanny State and fuck Rite Aid. I hope they finally do go bankrupt.