(It is just after the release of the video game ‘Playboy Mansion’. In Australia, there is surprisingly no required age limit for the game; it comes with a recommendation only for 18+. A customer approaches the counter with a small boy beside her. She is carrying a copy of the game.)
Me: “Good morning, just that today is it?”
(I indicate the game, and the customer nods.)
Customer: “Yup!”
Me: “I just have to check that you are purchasing this either for yourself, or someone who is over 18. Though there is no legal requirement to be over 18, I must warn it has graphic content and adult themes.”
Customer: “No, it’s for him, but it’ll be alright. He’s eight, but I’ve said it’s okay.”
Me: “I must warn you this game is entirely inappropriate for someone so young.”
(I detail the contents of the game. However, the customer doesn’t bat an eyelid.)
Customer: “It’s still okay. I’d like to buy it for him.”
(I cannot bring myself to cater to this customer, so the manager sells the game to her instead. The customer is about to leave, and I approach her.)
Me: “If you view the game and you’re unhappy, you can return it to us within 30 days for an exchange.”
(The customer is reasonably pleasant about this but keeps dismissing my concerns. The boy skips off happily with her. Two days later, she returns with the boy in tow again.)
Customer: “I’ve come to return this game; I need to get something better for him. It’s not right for him at all.”
Me: “Sure thing. I had a feeling you wouldn’t be happy with it once you saw the content of the game. Sometimes it’s hard to explain just how graphic some of these games can be.”
Customer: “Nah, the game was fine, but you should have warned us about how much reading he’d have to do. There’s far too much to read, and he’s only eight. His reading’s not that good yet. There really ought to be warning stickers for this sort of thing. Have you got anything easier?”
