Before the days of Netflix, the local video shop was an absolute mecca. In Clane, where I'm from, it was Sunset Videos ; an Aladdin's Den of entertainment,with row after row of videos for your viewing pleasure. But, the video shop didn't come without it's stresses and as an Irish teenager, there was plenty of things to worry about when making the excursion.
1) Convincing the parents
For some reason, parents seemed to have it in for the video shop. You'd spend every Friday night begging to be allowed 'get a video'. When they did eventually give in, it always came with terms and conditions. 'It's your responsibility to make sure it's brought back in one piece and re-winded.' You'd promise the sun, moon and stars and of course, always forget.
2) The 'Video Card'
An instrumental part of the whole video rental process was having your 'video card' with you. These shoddily made laminated cards were like gold dust and unless you could produce yours (or your Mam's), you weren't getting NOTHING.
3) The 'You owe us money' worry
After spending about 45 minutes choosing what you wanted to rent, the next step was to head to the counter where the cashier had all the power. They'd look at you suspiciously, check your card and you'd wait anxiously for them to approve the rental. Sometimes, it didn't go to plan. 'You didn't bring back the last video' or the worst of all -'There's actually money owing on your account'. Scarper! Quick!
4) The 'Yes, I am 18' lie
As a teenager, you always wanted to look older and before the days of trying to get into the local nightclub, you'd spend your Friday nights trying to look old enough to rent an 18s film. For my mates, it was all about horror movies and getting 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' for the sleepover was a MAJOR coup.
5) Waiting on the new releases
Before movies were so easily available to us, new releases were a big deal. You'd be waiting for ages for the film you missed in the cinema to come out on video and on the Friday it was released, you'd be straight down there, not even bothering to look for it, you'd head right up to the counter. The devastating sight of all the boxes behind the counter indicated that they were all rented out and you were out of luck. RAGE.
6) Embarrassment
Going into the video shop with your Mam or Dad was often an embarrassing experience. First of all, the cool kids often hung around outside and you'd spend ten minutes on the way down worrying that they'd shout something rude at you in front of your Dad. Then, you'd be skulking around the 'Romance' section, in your ratty looking tracksuit and spot the good looking lad from Geography that you scored at the teenage disco. LIFE OVER.
