Why would people chew on their driver’s license?

r/

I work at a bank, and often have to check IDs.

More than once, I’ve been given a driver’s license that looks like the holder has just gnawed the hell out of it. I can’t look at it for too long (what with the person right in front of me going “why is she looking at it so closely?”), but it has looked like human bites. I mean, a few have been almost shredded to the point where it was most likely a dog, but others look more bent and dented, like flat teeth (and thus human teeth) were the culprit.

Am I overthinking things? Or is this a thing that people do? And if so, why?

Comments

  1. SSYe5 Avatar

    maybe their kid got to it

  2. alphadavenport Avatar

    i bet a lot of those are from toddlers. an ID is exactly the sort of shiny, satisfying-looking plastic that toddlers love to put in their mouth.

  3. NectarineJaded598 Avatar

    I have, on occasion, used my ID or similar (insurance card) to open a locked door. It can end up looking chewed on, from jimmying it in the lock. Could that be what it is?

  4. Meewol Avatar

    Yes, this is something folks do (you’ve seen evidence yourself).

    How and why this happens could include any number of things, I’ll share a short few examples that came to my mind first.

    Assuming the damage was done by the owner;

    • Oral fixation is relatively common where a person feels the need to chew on something. This can provide different types of positive feedback such as satisfaction, calming, reassurance and even aiding focus, for example.

    • Bad habit that is related to a consistent/ recurring event. The constant habit eventually can be damaging.

    There’s also the case where the damage did come from a bite but not by the owner.

    • Young kids and animals/ pets are common culprits for chewing on things they’re interested in.

    I will add that it’s very possible that there’s instances where it wasn’t chewed on even though the damage looks similar to that of a bite.

  5. AcrobaticProgram4752 Avatar

    Sounds like a tension / anxiety thingy? I’m no Dr but I play one on reddit? Ehh? I suck

  6. Ok_Orchid1004 Avatar

    No normal person would just like the normal person would chew up a pencil

  7. Red-Droid-Blue-Droid Avatar

    Kids. Pets. Picking at it maybe. Not being careful with it.

  8. _Dingaloo Avatar

    I’ve never done it myself, but I chew my chapstick containers, lighters, I squeeze random objects, tear grass idly if I’m in a field, etc

    A lot of people just need to occupy their body with some kind of movement

    Now I’d never do that to my license since, ya know, you need that. With the other items I mentioned, they’re disposable or not necessary. Some people might just be doing it so idly they don’t notice until it’s already damaged, then they’re like eh, what the hell, might as well do it more

  9. Bugbussy7 Avatar

    I had a chewed license but it was my dog 😩

  10. Drexelhand Avatar

    i tend to chew on anybody’s driver’s license just to make sure it’s authentic. the fake ones just have a different feel and taste different.

  11. ban_Anna_split Avatar

    Those metal cardholders that clamp onto the cards might do it over time?

  12. Inevitable_Trip_7480 Avatar

    Holographics are high in protein.

  13. SillyMeclosetothesea Avatar

    Sometimes if I have to pay for something while I’m driving, I take out my credit card card, and put it in my mouth, until I pull up to the window ( but I just hold it w/my lips, not biting it)

  14. HerbDaLine Avatar

    Are they on the autism spectrum? On off my GFs grandkids are on the spectrum and will chew things sometimes.

    BTW – Yes someone can be autistic and still drive.

  15. Prudent-Elk-4012 Avatar

    My dog chewed mine.

  16. TatterhoodsGoat Avatar

    Never put bite marks in it but I have been known to hold my cards in my mouth while juggling keys, phone, water bottle, etc.

    My kingdom for functional pockets!

  17. colisocol Avatar

    probably their kid’s doing. when I go visit my friend with toddlers, all my things end up with little nibble marks on them.

  18. BitterDoGooder Avatar

    That’s so gross. I have no answer for “why.”

  19. gigisnappooh Avatar

    Maybe they are trying to quit biting their fingernails.

  20. moochew93 Avatar

    I have a toddler who chews on my cards…. he steals my wallet, hides in whatever corner his chunky butt fits in and goes ham. I’ve got teeth marks in my wallet, phone and every card in my wallet

  21. foxhill_matt Avatar

    They’ve been waiting in line to get into the club and have their ID ready and are worried they’re not going to get in and nervously chew the corner.