Drinking with a meal at age 16

timbstoke

Kathymel wrote: »

It wouldn't be necessary to prove we were his parents. The law simply states the 16 yo must be accompanied by someone 18 or over. We most certainly could prove that by wrinkles alone. We also had proof that our son was 16.

The law can say what it wants. If the pub chooses not to serve alcohol to under 18s, they're perfectly entitled to do so.

Have you been watching the Inbetweeners or something?

peachyprice

Kathymel wrote: »

Anyway, you are missing the point that, in these circumstances, a 16 yo child is within the age restrictions. Therefore, any refusal to serve comes down to personal opinion. You can't justify discrimination based on personal opinion.

What do you think 'think 25' policy is based on then?

daytona0

You can't assume that every person in the world knows every aspect of the law. On the face of it there is a law which says something along the lines of a 16 year old can have 1 drink with a family meal, and on the other side there is a law which says that alcohol cannot be bought by anyone under 18. Then you have the think 25 schemes, the company policies and also the right to refuse to serve a prospective customer.

Which parts of the law will someone serving alcohol know the most about? Probably the think 25, the under 18 and the harsh penalties. What part may they not be too sure on? The 16 year old having a drink, in the face of the rules which could cause them to lose their licence? Probably.


In terms of the discrimination stuff being thrown around, what are you going to do? Take a discrimination case to court and argue that a pub/cafe has discriminated based on age when an under 18 year old tried to drink alcohol in public? Do you see that getting anywhere? Whether you have been discriminated against or not, it doesn't matter one bit here because the reasons for discrimination are justified to a great extent. It is just a pointless exercise in crankness.

I would bring in the moral argument about introducing alcohol to a 16 year old, whom is still developing physically and emotionally, but I do admit that a lot of people do this and it probably isn't that bad in fairness. Then again, getting your knickers in a twist about somewhere refusing (initially!! I believe they allowed him to drink?) to allow your 16 year old child to drink is probably the point in which you should look in the mirror and think, "hang on a sec, why am I that bothered? What am I doing?"

tberry6686

I used to run pubs (quite a few years ago but still friends with a few landlords now) and there is no way I would have considered serving alcohol to someone under 18 whether with a meal or not. The fact is that any licensed establishment can refuse to serve anyone they like (as long as it is not on grounds that are protected and even then try proving it as they do not have to give a reason). If the OP had been in any pub that I know of and had complained about refusal, they would have been asked to leave and never return.

Leo2020

daytona0 wrote: »

I would bring in the moral argument about introducing alcohol to a 16 year old, whom is still developing physically and emotionally, but I do admit that a lot of people do this and it probably isn't that bad in fairness.

I think there is a moral argument for giving a 16 year old alcohol. When my children are old enough I will allow then to have a drink with a meal in my home at maybe 14 ish because I rather they first experience alcohol under my supervision. If it is introduced as something that can be done in moderation it takes the shine away (forbidden fruit). I would hope that by me introducing alcohol in this way will help make sure they don't do what some kids do when they drink alcohol for the first time - get absolutely wasted, go home to bed to never wake up again.

Kathymel

hawk30 wrote: »

S29 Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination in respect of the provision of a service. But s28(1) says this does not apply to the protected characteristics of age where the person is under the age of 18. So it's not discrimination. Even if it applied to his age, the pub could possibly justify direct age discrimination as being a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

Thank you for that information, Hawk30. I wasn't aware there were exceptions for under 18s. It answers my question nicely.

As to those of you who doubt my sanity in allowing my 16yo to drink alcohol, I have offered my son a sip of whatever I was drinking for many years. Without fail, he has screwed his face up in disgust at everything until, recently, he decided he quite likes cider. He still refuses to taste anything else because his taste buds as a child told him it was all horrible. I think that's a good result personally. I'm sure as he gets older he'll try more things, but for now, he's not interested.

Kathymel

daytona0 wrote: »

Then again, getting your knickers in a twist about somewhere refusing (initially!! I believe they allowed him to drink?) to allow your 16 year old child to drink is probably the point in which you should look in the mirror and think, "hang on a sec, why am I that bothered? What am I doing?"

Neither my knickers nor any other part of my underwear were in a twist about this. I asked out of interest only. I got a good answer.

Other people's knickers I can't vouch for.

Nessun_Dorma

Kathymel wrote: »

Thank you for that information, Hawk30. I wasn't aware there were exceptions for under 18s. It answers my question nicely.

As to those of you who doubt my sanity in allowing my 16yo to drink alcohol, I have offered my son a sip of whatever I was drinking for many years. Without fail, he has screwed his face up in disgust at everything until, recently, he decided he quite likes cider. He still refuses to taste anything else because his taste buds as a child told him it was all horrible. I think that's a good result personally. I'm sure as he gets older he'll try more things, but for now, he's not interested.

Seriously?

halibut2209

Do you ever have anything constructive to add, Nessun?

Nessun_Dorma

halibut2209 wrote: »

Do you ever have anything constructive to add, Nessun?

Do you think it is a "good result" to encourage a sixteen year old child to drink cider?

Is cider less potent than beer? It's not just fizzy apple juice you know.