Approaching 60 - proof of age?

ericonabike

Mrs Ericonabike is fast approaching her 60th birthday [I am lagging behind a bit]. I've been reading with interest about the various benefits/discounts etc that may be available, but am curious about if/how often proof of age is required? I have to say that she actually looks younger than me, and so it has a fairly high embarassment potential...

Will she have to carry around her passport at all times, as does our 21 year old son? Or will I simply ask for 'one adult and one senior ticket please'. I feel a whole new world opening up...

Owain_Moneysaver

Once Mrs Ericonabike has obtained her bus pass and senior railcard, either of those should be acceptable for most other purposes for claiming age-related discounts. A photocopy of a birth certificate should satisfy most official requests.

Savvy_Sue

ericonabike wrote: »

Mrs Ericonabike is fast approaching her 60th birthday [I am lagging behind a bit]. I've been reading with interest about the various benefits/discounts etc that may be available, but am curious about if/how often proof of age is required? I have to say that she actually looks younger than me, and so it has a fairly high embarassment potential...

Will she have to carry around her passport at all times, as does our 21 year old son? Or will I simply ask for 'one adult and one senior ticket please'. I feel a whole new world opening up...

I'd start with the 'one adult and one senior' and see what you're asked for: when we're out with the in-laws and the boys we're very rarely asked for proof of either age or studiousness, although I guess they do all look as if they're entitled ...

And does your wife not have a driving licence? That's smaller to carry around than a passport, and cheaper / easier to replace if you lose it!

mrschaucer

If Mrs Ericonabike's local council is anything like ours, she won't be qualifying for a bus pass anytime soon - she'll have to wait until her state pension age which is not 60!

Agapanthus

Earlier this year my husband and I took some friends - a couple in their early sixties like us - to visit a cathedral in the south of England (I'd better not name it). It was our turn to pay, so I went up to the cash desk and asked for four senior tickets. The chap behind the desk said "I'll give you a family ticket, which will be cheaper for you, as long as you'll promise to make the young gentlemen behave themselves"! We're still laughing about that.:rotfl:

(And no, we weren't asked to prove our ages.)

smileyhaggis

Agapanthus wrote: »

Earlier this year my husband and I took some friends - a couple in their early sixties like us - to visit a cathedral in the south of England (I'd better not name it). It was our turn to pay, so I went up to the cash desk and asked for four senior tickets. The chap behind the desk said "I'll give you a family ticket, which will be cheaper for you, as long as you'll promise to make the young gentlemen behave themselves"! We're still laughing about that.:rotfl:

(And no, we weren't asked to prove our ages.)

Doncha just LOVE some folks!!!:heartsmil

seven-day-weekend

Bus Pass, Senior railcard, photocard driving licence. I've never been asked to prove my age although I look quite young. My husband has,(once, to get his B&Q discount card!) and used his driving licence.

ericonabike

Thanks all - Mrs E won't get her bus pass until early in 2013, as they've aligned that with the ever-increasing pension age. So it looks like carrying a driving licence may be necessary, but generally a smile and confidence should do the trick! Quite looking forward to the verbal exchanges now...

hethmar

I thought Id dread being a senior citizen, but it is quite fun to see what discounts one can get. I have been asked on a couple of occasions for proof (if I say it myself I dont look over 60 and one altercation on a bus where I was sitting with all my shopping bags in a senior seat) but the rest of the time I sort of hold my bus pass in my hand ready to show if requested. The discounts certainly add up - Edinburgh Castle was my last "two seniors please" request and it saved us so much we bought afternoon tea on the saving

moonrakerz

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'd start with the 'one adult and one senior' and see what you're asked for

..........lots of scope there for offending either Mr or Mrs ericonabike :rotfl::rotfl:

Mojisola

moonrakerz wrote: »

..........lots of scope there for offending either Mr or Mrs ericonabike :rotfl::rotfl:

ericonabike wrote: »

I have to say that she actually looks younger than me, and so it has a fairly high embarassment potential...

I was thinking the same! Most places will probably assume that eric is the senior and mrs eric will be able to bask in the knowledge that she doesn't look her age.