Shopper asked for proof of age to buy Asda teaspoons

Telegraph.co.uk ^ | Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | Aislinn Simpson

[Momaw Nadon]

A shopper was left baffled after she went to Asda to stock up on picnic equipment and was asked for proof of age to buy a set of teaspoons.

The shop assistant reportedly informed the customer that someone had once been murdered with a teaspoon, and therefore age identification was now required.

That the woman had also bought plates and picnic ware at the Halifax branch in West Yorkshire did not appear to reassure the shop assistant as to her innocent intentions.

The receipt for the bizarre sale was published on the website nannyknowsbest.blogspot.com, a website set up by an internet entrepreneur Ken Frost to "expose and resist the all pervasive nanny state that is corroding the way of life and the freedom of the people of Britain".

The site was subsequently bombarded with comments and suggestions for other items that could cause harm.

One posting read: "Tea towel and a couple of bottle of diet cream soda and you've got all the equipment for waterboarding an Asda manager."

Another reader remarked: "Seemingly Asda believe that nobody over 18 ever murdered anyone."

"If the Government are going to try to take away my constitutional rights this way, I'm going to carry the biggest calibre teaspoon I can find," another commentator added. "I will give up my teaspoon when they prise it from my cold, dead body."

Peter McCarthy, the Asda Halifax store manager, said he was unaware of the spoon ID rule.

[Momaw Nadon]

FYI and discussion

[Sender]

The easy availability of teaspoons is an outrage! Why, anybody could buy one of these spoons and then go out and, well you know, stir someone.

God save the Queen! She's merely pining for the fjords.

[Blue Jays]

The maniacal behavior towards firearms overseas makes virtually any story believable.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

God, Almighty......

[SandRat]

SAY WHAT!

[chemicalman]

“Gag me with a spoon!”

[wolfpat]

This smacks of someone having fun at the expense of customers.

[mylife]

Have the Brits gone completely barmy?

[KoRn]

Bizzaro world!

[Palladin]

No spooning, but it’s OK to fork.

[mylife]

“If the Government are going to try to take away my constitutional rights this way, I’m going to carry the biggest calibre teaspoon I can find,” another commentator added. “I will give up my teaspoon when they prise it from my cold, dead body.”

LOL!!!

[MindBender26]

In my 40+ years from beginning to end as a reporter and news anchor, I always noticed that most of the REALLY weird stories came out of the UK.

Some things never change.

[mylife]

One posting read: "Tea towel and a couple of bottle of diet cream soda and you've got all the equipment for waterboarding an Asda manager."

Hilarious!

[MindBender26]

Can you buy Magnum spoons interstate over the ‘net?

[Pravious]

She should have told them to fork off.

[mylife]

Brit Defense classes

[FlingWingFlyer]

Another reader remarked: "Seemingly Asda believe that nobody over 18 ever murdered anyone."

No, that's not it. It's just ILLEGAL for anyone under the age of 18 to murder someone with a teaspoon. I mean...

[mylife]

Certainly!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

One way to get a cute woman's name and address!

[KrisKrinkle]

When teaspoons are outlawed, only outlaws will have tea parties.