Just been asked for ID to prove I’m over 18!

Craig needed cigarettes and I wanted to go for a little wander, so I offered to get him some from Tesco while I was out. I struggle with this kind of thing, because cigarettes always have really long and complicated names that I can’t get out of my mouth in the right order, so I over-rehearse what I’m supposed to ask for. I’m the same in coffee shops, so I keep my order to one word names unless they have a digital ordering system where I can actually choose what I want. I haven’t smoked since 12th June 2019, so I’m a bit out of practice, and the cigarette order doesn’t come naturally to me now. Anyway, the lady obviously became suspicious when I was trying to remember the words to ask for, and she asked to see my ID. She was quite surprised when I said I was 36. I don’t begrudge her doing her job and protecting herself, but I am a bit pissed off that a situation I am always very anxious about ended up creating more awkward social interaction than I had catered for. I’m quite frustrated about it, and a bit embarrassed, because I am already so paranoid about the way my speech comes out to people. She’s proven to me that it’s noticeable.

Craig says that it means I look young. I don’t think it does. I think I came across like someone who had never bought cigarettes before.