Roland Perry on 15 April 2004 at 19:53 said:-
> Few Americans (for it is they we are discussing, in case you
> forgot) have passports, none have bank cards. And why should
> a supermarket checkout assistant be expected to gather your
> date of birth from the rest (even if they *have* a date of
> birth on them)?
I had not forgotten, it was simply that most of the Americans I have met
have both passports, bank/credit/store/fuel cards and all sorts of ID
material for differing sectors. Probably my limited perception of the
American way of life.
I had however not limited my reply to the need for alcohol related ID, which
only appears relevant for a few years during the life of any individual, as
age soon becomes a simple and apparent visible fact. However ID as I
understand what is being discussed, is for life. Adequate relevant and not
excessive immediately spring to mind.
> The checkout assistant's employer, probably.
Are you saying that the retailer is not trying to avoid liability by
insisting employees check ID?
Or is it that ID checks for alcohol purchases are always necessary as a
means of avoiding relying upon an employees judgement?
Being from the UK, buying a bottle of wine, being asked for D/L and
obviously being a long way over 21 still bemuses me I am afraid. Perhaps I
ought to think that the assistants cannot tell that I am over 21! :-)
> As someone who has tried this, I can assure you that the
> transfer of traditional medical records is neither efficient
> nor effective!
I have insufficient experience or knowledge outside of your observations
within this thread which would enable informed comment. Possibly a security
issue or nervousness within the medical sector sensitive to costly
litigation. I had thought HIPA was to deal with many of the health issues
but I suppose a segmented health sector in the US could be contributory.
Perhaps some US health sector list participants will pick up on that.
> All a bit too much of a nanny culture for the Americans I
> fear. The least advantaged need to look after themselves, apparently.
By "least advantaged" I meant the majority who gained no advantage from ID
(White middle aged America?), and therefore can see nothing immediate to
worry about. The nanny culture from that perspective would be the ID
culture. i.e. ID looks OK nothing to worry about as somebody else has done
the worrying and checking for us.
That then creates my interest, as no reduction in privacy seems to be
perceived and a nanny culture is said to be welcomed amongst a people whose
stated stance is the opposite.
Ian W
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