Asking for or being asked for ID?

[Mr Silver]

I don't get ID'd very often - I'm 22 and look roughly my age. It's kind of become a habit for me to not bother bringing suitable ID (eg, driving license, passport, citizen pass, etc) out with me.

I think the "think 25" policy is a pretty sensible thing because you can't always tell somebody's age from visual observation. I think the policy is a great thing since it's reducing the numbers of underage binge drinking.

I do think that supermarkets and off licenses could do with having a doorman to ensure that underage people aren't just asking those of a legal age to buy them alcohol.

 

[ares93]

Actually I would argue it's the rest of the EU that hasn't caught up with the UK. After all if a person who is underage attempts to purchase an age restricted product doesn't have anything to worry about i.e fine etc... they might be more willing to try it. However if they are looking at a fine it might deter some.

Point well taken.

But licensing laws in the EU I believe are left to national governments rather than the EU Parliament to determine what works best for their country.

Maybe so, but that doesn't change the fact that the laws are the same. Whether they're being force by the EU Parliament or not. It is common practice that countries implement laws that work well in other countries. Call it collective wisdom, or collective stupidity. Depending on your point of view.

 

[Jim Gamma]

Between leaving university and two months ago, I never got ID'd once. Two months ago? I got ID'd by some bouncers in a bar I'd just left a few minutes ago, in order to go and meet a friend as she'd got lost en route.

Bouncers hadn't been there when I'd first arrived, alas, otherwise I'd have let them know before I went.

I don't have ID because:

A) I'm visually impaired so can't get driver's license.
B) I don't want to carry my passport around with me, I can't ensure it's secure as most people can.
C) There's no real state-run ID scheme here (certainly not one that's globally accepted) although there are a few fairly well-known schemes that aren't run directly by the state.

So two weeks ago? I walked into a bar with the same friend (who, coincidentally, had got lost again), and ordered a fruit juice, intending to order food shortly thereafter. My friend was drinking alcohol, and produced her ID as a matter of course (she has a driving license). They immediately asked for my ID. FOR A FRICKING FRUIT JUICE! I queried it, apparently you "have to be 21 to even enter the bar", and again, I didn't have ID. So both times, we went across to the fast food shop for dinner.

Oh, I should note I'm 28, almost 29.

So I have now requested an ID from one of those schemes I mentioned earlier - and that was a pallava(sp?), as not only do you have to have a valid ID anyway to photocopy, but you also have to get "a professional person" to verify it. And you pay £15 for the privilege (£60 if you want it urgently).

 

[propita]

i got carded when buying two bottles of sweet wine and a hairbrush at a drug store. I was 46 at the time. Now, I’m told I look younger than my age, and my purchases together might seem off, but I don’t think I looked under 30 (well under 40, yeah, I’m told that all the time even now at 48).

However, the lady carding me was in her 70s or 80s--maybe everyone looks younger by that time.

 

[Sam_I_Am]

But in the UK, children can drink legally from 5 at home. So how is that compatible with a law against purchasing alcohol for minors?

 

[MacLeod]

^It's more to do with, you acting as an agent for a minor. i.e. Kid(s) ask you to purchase alcohol on their behalf.

You've also got to remember, there is a differece to public vs private. i.e The Government can pass a law to make it an offense to drink in a public place if you are underage. It's harder to enforce a law to make that same offense in a private place. Of course providing alcohol to young persons could fall under different laws such as child endangerment.