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Original poster

Asked for ID in the supermarket - I'm 50!!

108 replies

Saisong · 21/09/2022 10:45

I felt strangely affronted, rather than taking it as a compliment!

The cashier was a male approaching 70 (he told me), maybe everyone looks young when you get to that age? 😆

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 21/09/2022 10:47

Probably just the supermarket's policy to id everyone. It seems to be becoming more common.

Elphame · 21/09/2022 10:50

I would be annoyed. I’m similar age to you and no way do I look 25 or younger.

I rarely carry a handbag now and pay with my phone so I’d have no ID on me so I would need to leave my shopping.

ifonly4 · 21/09/2022 10:55

I was asked during covid (fair enough I had a mask on) - I took it was a compliment that they'd hadn't noticed my wrinkles - I was 53 at the time.

PretzelLady · 21/09/2022 10:58

I've been id'ed twice in the past month and I don't think I'm an especially young looking 39. I asked the second time if it was maybe for training purposes as it's happened twice lately and the guy said they have been asked to be more strict. The first time the person who id'ed me was around 50 and the second time the person who asked me was a lot younger than I am (around 20).

Was it waitrose by any a chance as both times I was in waitrose?

mindutopia · 21/09/2022 10:59

Dh and I stocking up on alcohol at Tesco for a camping trip (admittedly pre-dc when we did look younger). Dh asked for ID and I was like, oh, let me get mine for you too. Lady at the till was like, no, you’re fine, I just need to check your little brother’s because he looks quite young. I was like, um, that’s my husband. 😩

Original poster
Saisong · 21/09/2022 11:02

Nope not Waitrose, was my local Sainsbury's where I have purchased booze many a time, and probably via this same cashier (he's been there years).

A change of policy is a possibility I guess. Luckily I carry id, but im sure there are plenty of people like PP who don't.

OP posts:
Gensola · 21/09/2022 11:04

Waitrose near me ID me every time - I’m 37! They also IDed me when I was with DH who is 57 😑

HoppingPavlova · 21/09/2022 11:10

He’d probably had a complaint against him. Not long ago there was a poster who was 30 odd, believed they looked like a young teenager and cracked it (complete with tantrum/wailing/attention seeking) as they were not asked for ID, offered it and were told it was not needed🤣. Can’t recall if they pursued it but complaint was mentioned at one point as they were convinced they should have been asked for ID.

scottishthistle77 · 21/09/2022 11:17

That would be a problem for me, I don't have any form of ID as I don't drive and haven't got a passport. I'm 45 and would have thought my days of needing ID to buy alcohol were long gone.
I suppose it's fortunate for me that I haven't drank alcohol for many years due to medication, I was never that bothered with it anyway. But if I ever want to buy a bottle of wine for someone, I could have difficulty.

urgen · 21/09/2022 11:23

Having worked for a while in a supermarket. Its very strict as the shop could lose their license if they dont ask.

Sometimes its obvious that its a test, i.e one bottle of wine and a bar of choclate but we were 'tested' at least once a week. I suspect the SM's who are being more strict have been caught out and Head Office sent out a directive.

Stellaris22 · 21/09/2022 11:25

I'm 36 and a deliveroo driver insisted on ID. All my ID is out of date as I have no need for an up to date passport and don't drive. Luckily the driver only looked at the date of birth and didn't notice my provisional driving license a. Expired 20 years ago and b. Looks very little like me anymore

Drivebye · 21/09/2022 11:56

If someone in a supermarket asked me for my id, I would ask them if they were joking. I would then ask to speak to the manager and make a complaint. I would then complain to the head office.

I know that it's important to check if if those that look under 25 however checking someone who is 40 plus is ridiculous, and a waste of everyones time. We wonder why so many young people can't seem to deal with life. Bloody stupid.

Sparklingbrook · 21/09/2022 12:03

I do feel for the cashiers. Especially with the test purchasers that are sent in to see that the Think 25 rules are being adhered to. If they sell anything they shouldn't to someone under age there are consequences including personal £90 fines.
i wouldn't blame them for being very very cautious, if complaints are made they are just doing their job.

Celestiel · 21/09/2022 12:04

Got ID'd with my last Morrisons delivery for a bottle of birthday fizz I'd ordered - my driving license is 10+ years out of date (can't afford to update it, and don't drive atm).

It was not accepted, and my birthday bottle went back to the van Angry the guy was very apologetic and did phone to check but really... I wasn't having a good day anyway but this just finished it!

Stellaris22 · 21/09/2022 12:16

I work in a supermarket, so if it means you don't get your alcohol over someone on minimum wage getting a hefty fine, I'd rather lose my alcohol every time. It makes for an amusing story if nothing else, you don't need alcohol that badly,

And as for complaining to the manager, the manager will just be thankful they have staff that check ID.

endofthelinefinally · 21/09/2022 12:18

Hmm. When I am buying wine via the self checkout they just come over, laugh, and press the ok button. Clearly I look well past my sell by date. Never asked for ID.

Sparklingbrook · 21/09/2022 12:19

And as for complaining to the manager, the manager will just be thankful they have staff that check ID.

Exactly, and Head Office will be grateful too. Nobody is going to get into trouble for what is just doing their job.

MayISuggestSomeThickCutSteakChipsToGoWithThat · 21/09/2022 12:20

Not sure if it's still the same, but years ago when I worked in retail. If the shop was caught selling to anyone underage, they had to then ID anyone who purchased an age related sales product regardless of how old they were for a certain period of time

glowingghost · 21/09/2022 12:22

Drivebye · 21/09/2022 11:56

If someone in a supermarket asked me for my id, I would ask them if they were joking. I would then ask to speak to the manager and make a complaint. I would then complain to the head office.

I know that it's important to check if if those that look under 25 however checking someone who is 40 plus is ridiculous, and a waste of everyones time. We wonder why so many young people can't seem to deal with life. Bloody stupid.

Well that would be a complete waste of your time. The manager / head office would just be glad their staff were checking ID.

I used to work as a cashier and our store got caught out on a test, the staff member got in serious trouble. I don’t blame anyone for being cautious.

DaisyWaldron · 21/09/2022 12:24

I'm on my late 40s and still get asked for ID several times a year. It's usually by cashiers who are a lot older than me, in their first couple of weeks of a Christmas temp supermarket job. It virtually never happens when I'm smartly dressed, but I think when I shamble in wearing a hoody and ancient joggers and no make-up they think I might be a student with a terrible hangover if they don't look too closely.

Sparklingbrook · 21/09/2022 12:25

I would like to see the email complaint and reply though. Out of curiosity.

Pixiedust1234 · 21/09/2022 12:29

But there really is a line. Think 25 is about thinking if someone looks that age or older/younger. I'm pretty sure most people aged fifty look nothing like a 25 yr old (or younger). Nobody is saying dont id those in their late twenties but come on..fifty??

asblindasabat · 21/09/2022 12:32

That is ridiculous tbh. But then OP take it as a compliment as you must look very young!

Stellaris22 · 21/09/2022 12:36

@MayISuggestSomeThickCutSteakChipsToGoWithThat a colleague got caught out by a test shopper and had to get a managers approval for every age related sale.

It's why I'd always be cautious as a checkout worker, it's annoying as well as expensive to be caught out.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 21/09/2022 12:36

LOL

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