proving you are over 21 to buy alcohol?

[gherkinfiend]

Just read a story about a 72 year old bloke who was was unable to buy a couple of bottles of wine in a supermarket because he refused to prove he was over 21 when asked...since he thought it was a stupid question...

It happens to me a lot that I am asked for ID when buying drink (i'm a young looking 28 apparently!) and obviously I'm happy to prove I'm over 18...but when the legal drinking age is 18 why do i have to prove I'm over 21?

Who dreamt this up? And how if like me you don't have a driving licence are you supposed to prove you are 21+ without carrying your passport at all times in case you decide you fancy a beer on the way home?

It bugs me beyond all belief to be honest...

[B00]

OK, the deal is....if you can't prove you're over 18 with a driving license, passport, photo ID, you have to at least lookover 21 in order to be sold alcohol.

I appreciate your annoyance, but you have to have some sympathy towards the poor shopgirl (me) who is also faced with a baby faced 28 yr old (you- lol). We're torn between either offending the customer or risking selling alcohol to someone underage, resulting in the alcohol licence being revoked from the shop, a fine and quite possibly a sacking. I know which I choose- sorry.

But yes, agree, the case with the 72 year old was ridiculous.

[gherkinfiend]

I've worked in shops and completely understand the predicament of the shop staff...but no one had ever explained why I then have to look over 21 if I don't have photo ID to say I'm 18+ which is why it is annoying...and seemingly illogical!

Also if I'm paying for the booze using a debit or credit card that can of course only be issued to over 18s and have more than one card with the same name and signature woudn't that be OK?

I've been mugged 4 times living in South London so you can see why I'm not happy to carry my passport!

[eyebrows]

teh wole 21 thing is designed to not offend people....

"what dont i look 18 do i?"

no you look 20, but cos of this i would liek to see id....

it shouldnt really be a problem if you are 18....how about a driving licence or provisional?

[B00]

I thought i'd explained rather well too....lol

I think the over 21 rule is to cover the shopkeepers back, to look over 21 is in effect proof that you are over 18- did that make sense?

And no, using cards to pay for a purchase doesn't prove your age, how can the shop owner or infact you, even prove those cards are yours?

I don't see what the problem is to be honest- get some ID and remove all doubt, a citizen card is what...�9?

And lastly, be bloody grateful you look under 21, i'd sell my soul to be questioned- just once- about my age!

[eyebrows]

i get id'ed for sweets i look so young......

boo hoo...

[POLLIANNA]

I'm 31 and got asked for ID a few weeks ago in Asda. Sooo embarassing.

[DC_FC]

Yes the 21 rule is to cover the checkout persons back, if you look to be under 21 you will get askd for id,

[taliesin238]

Im 30 and get asked all the time for id

[Kleiber]

Good grief - I wish someone would ask me if I was under 21 - it would make my day!! I think though, when it's obvious (as in the case of the elderly gent), it's political correctness (call it what you will) gone completely mad!!

[DC_FC]

I cant remember which shop it was where the guy was askd for ID but where i work if i get a guy whos 60 odd(its pretty obvious hes 60+) i dont ask for ID and thats my employers policy, i only ask people who look like they are under 21,

[saxy_jag]

I'd go with most of the above, in that some legal alcohol buyers do look much younger. By the same token, there are those under 18 who look about 30. The ID thing is, as some have said, a way for licensees and their employees to cover their backs.

If alcohol or tobacco is served - knowingly or otherwise - to someone who is underage, then it's usually the employee who pays the fine. This is on top of them possibly losing their job and the licensee losing their licence.

The restriction on serving alcohol to those under 21, isn't a legal requirement, but is down to the establishment's own policy. The landlord or barman is quite free to refuse any customer and doesn't need a reason. I guess many of them refuse under 21s because 18-21 year-olds aren't generally known as responsible drinkers.

[saxy_jag]

"And how if like me you don't have a driving licence are you supposed to prove you are 21+ without carrying your passport at all times in case you decide you fancy a beer on the way home?"

You get yourself one of these:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/pass-le aflet

They're about the size of a credit card, and I'm sure you could fit another one of those in your wallet.

[DC_FC]

The employee could also face a criminal record as well as a fine and losing theyre job,

[Thunderchild]

frankly its so stupid friends hang out together and an adult can get drinks for the rest its just not a good way to do it what they should do is start keeping children at home where they belong and only alow so much drink to be sold per person, but it seems parents just let their kids do as they like so laws or no laws the problem won't be solved !

[Thunderchild]

I was asked for Id and because the stupid woman could not find my date of birth on my italian driving license she was about to give up and have my friend show hers it was quite obviously a driving license and not that different I mean it gets a bit petty sometimes over 1 bottle of wine. we were obviosly a young man and woman doing our shopping and intending having a bottle of wine together with our dinner not like we were going to go out smashing up the meibourhood we had much better things in mind ;-)