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Original poster

I got refused service today

145 replies

snowdropsandcrocuses · 15/01/2022 20:16

I am in my early 40's. I have 2 kids and my body shows it. My face is red with broken capillaries and my hair is in desperate need of dying so my greying roots are very much visible. I am definitely no oil painting!

Today I went to buy cigarettes and I was asked for ID. I honestly swear I haven't been asked for ID since I was about 19!

I had my work ID on me which I could have used but I was so absolutely stunned that I looked slack jawed at the cashier and simply said 'no I don't have ID...because I'm 40!'

She told me I don't look over 25 with my mask on and I laughed at her and left the store without being served.

So I've decided the fact I have cleansed, toned, moisturised, used retinol and vit c serum for at least three days in a row is absolutely working

Clearly I have found the elixir of youth in a bottle. Happy to offer up my secrets to you all... Grin

OP posts:
DrSK2 · 16/01/2022 17:32

Don’t smoke ffs!

nymum · 16/01/2022 18:21

I was recently asked to take my mask down at M&S buying wine by a woman around my age (I’m 47. Four kids. Don’t look young). She laughed at herself for doing it when I took the mask down…which made me feel crap 😂…couldn’t she see the grey hair and wrinkles with the mask on?!?🤪

CheapFoodShits · 16/01/2022 18:45

I got asked for ID for cigarettes around a year ago, when I was 35 (I'll be a year smoke-free next month!), and told to pull my mask down. I practically ripped the mask off my face to reveal the biggest smile that has ever graced my face and said "I don't have any ID, but I'm 35 and you just made my day!". I then promptly left and headed to a shop that would serve me.

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Mylifesadrama · 16/01/2022 19:02

I got asked for my id last week. I did ask if she could see the wrinkles around my eyes! I’m 52, and never been asked to show id before. I think I actually now like these masks.. 🤣

BoredZelda · 16/01/2022 19:02

I was ID’d when I was about 35. I laughed at the young lad and said I was old enough to be his mother. He served me but I thanked him for making my day.

BoredZelda · 16/01/2022 19:05

Can I ask, are you a short person? I’m sure part of the reason I was ID’d as an adult was because I’m only 5ft. My husband has a young looking face but is 6ft3. He hasn’t been ID’d since he was about 15.

janj2301 · 16/01/2022 19:05

My eldest looks (and acts) 16, she was 40 last month. Always asked for ID for lotto, fortunately she doesn't drink. I "joke" with staff that I am offended they don't ask for ID

BoredZelda · 16/01/2022 19:06

It's when they click the approve key, without having to think twice grin now that's disheartening.

It is, isn’t it.

JackTheHack · 16/01/2022 19:09

@pointythings

That's hilarious!

I've never been ID'd, but my late husband was ID'd in Disney in Florida when getting a beer. He was 53 at the time and told the bartender she was on his Christmas card list forever (he had ID on him).

They have to swipe the ID through the till to process the payment. That's why they ask
ifonly4 · 16/01/2022 19:09

I was asked to lower my mask in Tescos to id me for a bottle of wine. I'm 54 and think I look my age around my eyes and forehead. I wasn't offended, I was secretly quite pleased!

TooMuchSugar22 · 16/01/2022 19:09

My dfriend was with her dd and grandkids and got id'd. She's late 40s. Her 21 year old very young looking dd didn't get ID'd.
I tried to go to said shop in the hope they'd ID me to boost my ego.. But nope they didn't haha!

MajorCarolDanvers · 16/01/2022 19:12

You are so lucky

eldersis · 16/01/2022 19:39

Sorry to burst anyone's bubble but many for many items sold in store the regulations say "must show I.D" Not that the staff "can use common sense"

We all know how stupid many store rules are, but the staff could loose a job they really need.

In the 1980's I was only in my early teens but easily passed for over 21. I took many many school friends into cinema's and pubs by being (on face value) deemed the chaperoning adult ! No one would have lost their jobs then but Its a different matter now.

NorthernLighting · 16/01/2022 20:01

@pointythings

That's hilarious!

I've never been ID'd, but my late husband was ID'd in Disney in Florida when getting a beer. He was 53 at the time and told the bartender she was on his Christmas card list forever (he had ID on him).

They have to ask for ID in Florida. Doesn’t matter if you’re 100 years old.
Realitysucks · 16/01/2022 20:05

This is so funny l! I’m 43 had my second child last year, haven’t been to the hairdresser in nearly 2 years so grey is definitely showing and seriously looking my age plus more! I also got asked for ID when buying an expensive bottle of red wine in my local Tesco. I literally wet myself ( after 2 kids one at 42 I actually probably peed a little bit! ) the guy asking me looked about 12!

MisgenderedSwan · 16/01/2022 20:15

I was 30 and in Morrisons with dd and ds - ds literally never slept due to sleep apnoea and dh worked away. I decided to treat myself to a bottle of wine, only to get id'd at the till. At first I smiled, only to turn into hysterical laughter/tears as I realised I had no id and they weren't going to sell me the wine I had factored in to the evening's plans. Bless the lady on the checkout, she called over her manager and explained she'd asked but would like to retract as she now thought I was over 25. I think she was panicking I was having a breakdown.

Lunar2020 · 16/01/2022 20:18

I got ID’d in Asda for buying Pritt Stick and prawns once. Another time I got ID’ed fit more buying scratch cards and Toilet Duck

CrazyAllAroundMe · 16/01/2022 20:26

I have to admit I was oven the moon to be asked for ID not once but twice in the same sainsburys when with my teenage DD, once for paracetamol another for my old neighbours lotto tix. I had DD in my late 20s. Since covid has aged my face 10yrs in 12 months it's never going to happen again even in a mask so I'm holding tight to that feeling..

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 16/01/2022 20:34

I got ID'd to receive our weekly Tesco delivery just after Christmas. We had no alcohol or anything age restricted there, he just didn't believe I was old enough to receive a delivery!

I'm 33 Grin

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 16/01/2022 20:37

A really nice lady came over and asked for ID, I said I didn't have any but said 'look! Look! I'm 32 I promise!'

I think that works because secret shoppers aren't allowed to lie about their age. If they're sure you're over 18 (so they're definitely not making an illegal sale) but think you might be under 25 they'll sometimes ask how old you are — if you say you're over 25 then they know they're not going to get into trouble for not IDing you! I think it's happening more at the moment with masks.

(I found that out because I was at a corner shop and said in advance "if I try to buy this are you going to ask for ID, because I don't have any" and he asked how old I was. When I said my age he said it was fine and explained the above.)

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 16/01/2022 20:39

I'm not sure that's how the law is technically supposed to be applied, he might just be a pragmatic/maverick shopkeeper!

Imissmoominmama · 16/01/2022 20:42

In the CO-OP, the woman in front of me was asked for ID (she looked about 28) and she made a massive song and dance about it. When I got to the cashier, I jokingly asked why he hadn’t asked for mine, and he burst out laughing!! Blush

user1491320660 · 16/01/2022 20:55

I have Ehlers-Danlos and as such look very young for my 44 age (joints are a mess though :) ) I carry ID everywhere. I don’t actually drink (do buy alcohol for husband during the weekly shop) or smoke but there are plenty of places that ID paracetamol. Some shop assistants ask for ID in a very rude manner and some apologies when they realise my actual age!

shivabeaver · 16/01/2022 21:03

I got charged a child's fare on the bus when I was 8 months pregnant with my first Hmm I was 22 at the time and my bump announced itself several seconds before I arrived.

goldenskans · 16/01/2022 21:08

Over Christmas I was asked for ID by an apologetic student who was quite obviously a) in sixth form b) new, and therefore following instructions to ID if unsure. When I handed over my driving licence I did say to him that I reckoned I was twice his age (I am 35). He looked at it, blushed and handed it back, and said "oh yeah, you were born the year after my mum". I know his mum would have been young when she had him, but instantly I felt ancient.