Unspeakable Rudeness

On my way to Sarasota airport last Tuesday, I remember to fill up my rented car before returning it at the counter. Not knowing where the next gas station is before I reach the airport I decided to stop at the first station in sight and found a BP gas station along SR70 just before turning Hwy 301.

So, I pulled up on pump #10, inserted my card, and was instructed to enter my zip code. Because my billing address was out of state, the machine instructed me to pay at the cashier so I went inside, fell in line and waited 3 minutes for the cashier to clear up her social calendar. She appeared to be very busy texting on her cell phone. I was still cool. After all, I have ample time and not worried about missing my flight. On a typical day, if a pump won't accept my card, I will just drive to the next gas station, but that Tuesday was no ordinary day, it was the culmination of a weeklong FL getaway and I had a great time. When she was ready to attend to me, I told her I was on pump 10 and I want to fill up half a tank. In all her rudeness, our conversation transpired like this:

Rude cashier: I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF CAR YOU ARE DRIVING, SO I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH YOU NEED.

ME: It is a rental car so I don't know either, but it is an economy car so I figure half a tank will only cost between $25 and $30.

Rude Cashier: How much do you really need? 25 or 30?

ME: Just 25.

Rude Cashier: I need your ID.

Me: (I took out my driver's license, she looked at my photo and then looked at me and she concluded that I was an impostor).

Rude Cashier: This is not you! (Almost shouting, this time all heads are turned our way).

Me: (between the Florida heat and this rude cashier, I was losing my temper). That's me. It is just not the best picture of me, my signature in the receipt and the ID will tell you that. I've been showing that ID in immigrations and port of entries and I was never questioned for that photo. Only you for a 25 dollar gas!

At that point, I wanted to grab my cards and bring my business somewhere else but the situation is already embarrassing that leaving will only prove her that I was indeed what she suspected so to prove her I was not an impostor I produced another ID that has a picture better than the mug shot in my driver's license. Only then, she agreed to open pump #10.

I already knew that I don't look good in pictures but I never knew I could get in trouble for not looking good in the pictures. I fly a lot and I show the same ID at airport securities and never questioned for the way the picture appeared. Sure, I got a lot of "you look better in person" and "the camera must be possessed when the picture was taken" comments but never experienced being treated that rude. I don't have any plans of going to the DMV to change my license in the near future, I am not going to accept any unpleasantness so next time, I will just bring my business somewhere else.

I am just ranting and wanted to spew out some fumes.