A couple of weeks ago, Jimmy's brother sent his son out to do some shopping, armed with credit card and PIN. As a result of the shop realising that Dannyboy wasn't Terry, Terry has had his card confiscated by the bank. I think they are probably perfectly within their rights to do so: the card remains their property, and they specifically say, don't disclose your PIN. However, on a common sense level, it seems ridiculous - even though Dannyboy being early-to-mid twenties and with a severely shaved head does fit a profile - because one would expect that a parent should be able to judge whether or not an adult child* is to be trusted.
I rang up the hairdressers today to book an appointment for Monday, and said that I intended to use my partner's card - my plan was to let Jimmy the details over the phone, in effect prepaying the session, but they said, no, that's fine, as long as you have the PIN. I'm a bit nervous, because obviously, Jimmy and I are not the same gender; additionally, we are not the same surname. I often manage the transaction in restaurants and such like, but that is in front of Jimmy, and therefore with his obvious approval.
Something like a haircut is the worst thing to get caught out on, because the goods can't be returned to the shelves. And anyway, it isn't the end of the world if I have to resort to using my debit card. And anyway, I've been going there for over ten years, and a wise manager would make a judgement as to my trustworthiness. But I would be mightily pissed off if someone were to intervene and decide that because Jimmy has given me his card, and disclosed his PIN means he is an irresponsible cardholder, and that leads to his card being confiscated.
* my favourite apparent oxymoron
