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.

[MindBender26]

Pssst.....

Hey, Meester.

Juh whan buy suhm spoonz?

I gar-han-tee juh. Noh zerial numberz. Theys cool.

[al baby]

having fun at the expense of customers.

The UAW?

[potlatch]

[someone had once been murdered with a teaspoon]

Oh my, WATCH OUT for toothpicks!! Killers!

maybe a 'nork', devolve!

[frankiep]

When you outlaw teaspoons, only outlaws will have teaspoons.

[mylife]

Assault Utensils~

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I was in line once at the grocery store and the person in front of me was carded for non-alcoholic beer.

I had a bottle of grape juice in my items, so when it was my turn I showed the clerk my ID. When she asked why, I said it was for the non-alcoholic wine I was purchasing.

[FlyingEagle]

80% of the spoons in Mexico come from United States spoon dealers.

[mylife]

Those darned Mexispoons!

[manapua]

Almost as stupid: some places in the USA will card people attempting to purchase lighters.

[mplsconservative]

We call ‘em ‘sporks’ in these parts. Watch out, they’re plastic and they’re deadly, ‘specially when they come with a 2 piece Popeye’s extra spicy chicken dinner.

[Sender]

Personally, if someone comes into my house at night with a teaspoon, I’m putting my Surefire light on them and telling them to “Drop the spoon!”

[buccaneer81]

Still no defense against pointed sticks.

[mylife]

Concealed Carry:

[potlatch]

[‘sporks’]
Lol, I hadn't heard that. Have to admit I usually throw the plastic utensils away when I pick up food, have had plastic tines break on forks before.

I still buy wooden toothpicks in a box.

[mylife]

Nope.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

And then I take my money elsewhere after letting them know why.

[mylife]

Yutes brandishing light weight Polymer Spoons:

[mylife]

note: the one on the right is a tiny “saturday night spooncial”

[GOPJ]

I enjoy a morning newspaper - does anyone know if Telegraph.co.uk prints over here?

[cva66snipe]

Almost as stupid: some places in the USA will card people attempting to purchase lighters.

I've been carded at Wally World for buying a can of spray paint and another time for buying a movie. The fact I'm in my 50's didn't seem to matter.