'When were you last asked for ID?' poll results/discussion

PrinceGaz

ID? I know it is compulsary in the US and A when buying alcohol, but I've never been asked for it here.

I started drinking aged 18 at uni, and the bars I first drank in were student bars in buildings which required everyone to show an NUS card to gain entry anyway, regardless of whether you wanted a drink.

By 19-20 yo, I had joined CAMRA and was drinking real-ale in pubs all around Manchester. Maybe it was because I wasn't drinking lager or other drinks then associated with younger people, but I was never once asked to prove my age when buying a pint of bitter in any pub. I think it as much down to confidence as looks. If you act like you know you have every right to be there and are therefore seen by the staff as a seasoned drinker, it can easily add a few years to how old you are perceived to be. But even the slightest sign of uncertainty when asking for something, even from people who might look slightly older and know they have ID to prove they are 18 will likely result in them being asked to show their ID.

Dorrie

I have always looked younger than my age (even two weeks ago I was told by two different people that they thought I was in my mid-30s and I'm 43 - and these people have known me for years!). When I was a teenager I looked much younger, but have never, as far as I remember, been asked for ID for buying alcohol, or getting into a cinema, etc. In fact, when I was 16 I got in to see an X rated film (Caligula) with my 17 year old sister, who also looked younger.

I got married at 18 to a very, very young looking 20 year old - he was only about 5ft 4in, so the two of us got lots of funny looks when people realised we were married. On arriving at our honeymoon hotel in Winchester, the landlady told us that we didn't have a room booked as the only people due in were a honeymoon couple! The following year we went to King's Lynn and went to the local pub for a drink of Newcastle Brown Ale (my tastes have improved since!) and the publican kept saying to us "Those men at the other end of the bar are policemen" but didn't actually ask for ID (not that I think I actually had any) and she served us eventually - the policemen didn't say a word.

I was widowed at 23 and married again at 24. Whilst having our banns read in my husband's local church, which married divorcees, the woman in front of us asked me if I was the divorcee whose banns had just been read, and I replied that no, I was the widow. She then said 'Oh you look way to young to be a widow!' - but old enough to be divorced???

At 25 I was pregnant with my first baby and used to get dirty looks from old ladies in town who obviously thought I was a teenage mother!

And lastly, my daughter, who is now 14, started having ear-piercings at 12. Never once have the ear-piercing parlours phoned me up for permission (as they did with my son). I asked her whether they asked her for ID and she said they did, but she told them she had forgotten it, so they did the piercings anyway! I would have gone to Trading Standards and complained, but my daughter kept conveniently 'forgetting' where she had them done!

grrrl

I stopped at my local Tescos a few years ago at the age of 19 to pick up some alcohol before catching the bus home. They asked me for ID; I rummaged around in my wallet and pulled out my NUS card (only because it came out first) then my photocard driving license straight after and a credit card.

The two ladies at the till had a very long and loud discussion about how neither of my photos looked like me and how one woman had just let someone through who didn't have ID because she believed them when they said they were over 18. Neither of them were willing to let me buy the alcohol.

For the record, I still have exactly the same haircut as I did in my driving license photo, and have done for every one of the 9 years since it was taken.

Seeing as I was paying by a debit card (in exactly the same name as those on my two forms of ID and a credit card) they were essentially accusing me of ID fraud and theft - in front of a huge queue of people who had all stopped what they were doing to listen in!

I'd have stayed to complain about how rude they were, and they were really rude, but I had to run to catch my bus. I think there's a lot to be said about the way people ask you.

At the age of 25, I find it more humiliating than anything else. It's more the expressions on the faces of the other shoppers as they stop what they're doing and discreetly (they think!) turn round, look you up and down and eaves-drop on the conversation.

People say I'm lucky, but it's more of a hassle than anything else. I pretty much always carry my photo driving license with me, but sometimes I forget, like on the odd occaision when I change bags to go on a night out and only take some cash and a debit card with me.

The last time I was asked for ID was on a night out with friends where I was the eldest girl there and the only one who got stopped. As a woman with a degree and my own house and part way to being a fully qualified professional who wants to be taken seriously, it is really embarrassing. I think the worst thing is when you're haggling outside to get in to the damn place to see girls who you know are underage standing outside smoking!

I now always carry ID with me, but wish I didn't get treated like a criminal when someone asks to see it!

Do you know the most ironic thing? When I was thirteen, my divorced Dad took me to his work Xmas dinner as his "date". I not only got served at the bar of a pub we went to beforehand, but also got evil glares from the wives of his colleagues until they found out who I was!

I don't think anyone asked me for ID until I turned 18!

Plum_Pie

I was ID'd yesterday for the first time in about 10 years (I'm 27). Hilariously I was always the friend who bought the booze when I was underage (early developer, ahem). I was flattered that someone thought I was that young, as I weigh about 2 stone more than when I was 18 and am developing serious crow's feet!

Bear in mind, with the Government's crime and disorder agenda, underage sales is a big issue.

Saucepot

As little as 6 months ago. I am a gentleman in his thirties who though fitness and grooming appears younger. I was buying malt whisky in an off licence. I thanked the young lady for her compliment and left. She wrote her phone number on the reciept and made a suggestion that displayed an all to easy familiarity with a gentlemans private parts. When my wife saw the receipt I told her the number was for a delivery service if i wished to buy a case and she didn't question it. I have not taken up the cashiers kind offer.

indigogirl_3

A few months ago I was stopped at the checkout with my bottle of wine and asked for id - I laughed, thinking it was a joke. I've never been asked for id before - not even as a 14 yr old sneaking in the cinema to see an Xrated film!

Rifling through my purse I managed to produce the usual array of credit cards, Nectar, Boots, Tesco, RHS etc - just like any average 17yrold!

No good- have I get a driving licence or passport? My driving licence predates the photo type by many years and a passport?? I was only going shopping.

The smile on my face beginning to falter as I realise I am going home wine-less.

I resort to turning to the queue behind me asking them if I look under 18 and was met with sheepish mutterings.

In the end a manager came over to inspect my wrinkles and allowed the sale.

I'M 41!! And look it.

I laughed and dined out on that for several weeks.

And then it happened AGAIN.

If you need a bit of a boost - get yourself down to see Liz at the Co-Op!

penarthian

When we reach 60 there are many discounts, cinema and other entertainment as an example. I am not quite 60 but realised I could save over £5 if I said I was and asked for a senior ticket.
Result got the ticket, saved the £5.
HOWEVER no one asked me for ID so now I am worried that I must look over 60
You cannot win!!!!

jamiex

I'm 20 but do look quite young - I've even been asked for ID for a lottery ticket!

The weirdest time I was asked for ID though was when I was in Tesco and tried to buy the non-alcoholic version of a pear cider. It came up on their system asking them to ask for ID (I think it's probably because it was in the alcohol section and nobody's bothered to change the age requirement on the computer) and the woman wouldn't sell it to me! I said that I was actually 20 years old and I pointed out that it was completely non-alcoholic so it didn't matter anyway, but she still wouldn't sell it to me. Surely common sense should prevail in a situation like that?

I didn't have any ID with me but luckily I was with my mum at the time so I asked her to tell them to let me buy it and they reluctantly agreed. It was quite embarrassing though.

I don't rate Tesco staff's customer service generally, I think Asda staff are much better trained and much friendlier so I doubt it would've happened there.

Sammz

I'm 31 and have been asked a couple of times this year.

rygon

I think the worst is when they ask you for ID (im 25) and then once they have verified it they then have to get the manager as they are under 18 themselves!!! (i dont look that young....honest)
ive had it before with the challenge 21 where they wouldnt serve me as i was only 20. They couldnt quite get it into their thick heads that its ok to buy alcohol at 18 but anyone who looks under 21 must be id'd.
The best was a mate of mine who got ID'd in a family pub for coke. The reason she was buying coke was because she was underage. Finally managed to get her drink and then one of us was threatened to be kicked out of the pub for buying her a drink without telling the barstaff who it was for....yep we bought her another coke