To think parents lying about their child's age to get cheaper tickets is wrong?

[Liketochat1]

The swimming thread got me thinking about a chat I was having the other day. Parents were saying they lie about their child's age to get cheaper or free tickets to parks, zoos, shows etc... They claim their children are under 5, 3 or whatever when they aren't.
AIBU to think this lying is wrong and unfair or is it just to be expected?

Wrong and unfair!

I've never done it. Sil does though. Isn't it just dishonest and a cheap thing to do? Don't most theme parks have a height restriction thing instead of age?

Normal.

I lied when I went to Battersea Park Zoo. I felt really guilty afterwards because DD had such an amazing time and we have got more than our value for money if we'd paid.

I don't think YABU.

yes this is stealing

I've always done it, yes probably morally wrong but the prices these places charge are a scandal anyway shrugs

*would have got

However quite a few theme parks charge anyone over 14 an adult ticket price, but where else would a 14 year old be considered an adult? and would they let them go in on a free child with every adult offer? I think not!

I wouldn't do it with children. It'd never wash with mine as they tend to look older than they are anyway. Though I used to memorise different dates of birth from being about 16 to get into over 18s/21s places :)

Alright for those whose kids let them away with it. Mine would grass me up.

I've done it and I think a good proportion of people have

I've even had someone at the train ticket office do it on my behalf

'one adult and 1 child to manchester'
''how old is she?''
'5'
''do you mean 4''
'no she's 5'
''she looks much more like 4 to me''
'ohhhh!'

also done it at an all you can eat when adult prices started at 10. My 10 year and 2 weeks daughter eats like a sparrow, nothing like an adult, so she was 9 for the day

most attractions make much more on selling merchandise once you are in than they do on the gate price

disclaimer I've only ever done it when they are within 1 year of the age

Depends... possibly might lie if it was only a few days since the 3rd / 5th birthday or whatever.

In fact it happens more the other way round - I am being truthful but the staff are like

memories of DS leaving Alton Towers yelling at the top of his voice "Can I be four again, now, Mummy, or do I still have to say I'm three?" and the staff grinning.

If for a charity event then YANBU but for theme parks or a profit-making place then I don't think it's particularly wrong. Prices are high, people have less money and they are unlikely to get away with it forever as the child will eventually look older.

I don't know anyone who admits to doing this.

We don't as we just aren't that immoral or want to teach our DC to lie like that.

But on a practice note - how do they stop the DC blurting out the truth? Ours are always on about their age at odd times.

Have to say I would have to be told parents did this rather than looking at DC ages and assuming - as both my younger two have been assumed to be older than they look - especially round age 3 for some reason people assuming they are about 5. People say things like - they are to tall for 3 - umm no 75 percentile - and are your sure - yes I gave birth to them .

My parents used to do it with me all the time. I'm not sure I could do it. Well I did do it on dd's birthday but age wasn't born until 10:30pm so she was still under 2

And a National Trust property let 5 yo dd in free at the weekend, chap on the till said he didn't like charging for little kids although he was meant to

I've done it but can't get away with it for long thanks to super tall ds!

I've also had the same conversation with the ticket office at the train station.

You just send dc away to look at something whilst you're buying the tickets.

workshy - I've had that as well!

I couldn't do it I'd feel too guilty. As it is my 3.8yr old thinks he is already 4. The other day we were at a soft play centre and I told them his age and ds said "no I am four! " they didn't take much notice even though I laughed nervously. He looks younger than his age as it is.

Well it's wrong isn't it. Some people don't care though, 'Rulez is for others' mentality.

Most of the places we go to go on height - Gullivers, Twinlakes etc.

Haven't done it personally but the ticket prices at ceratain attractions are so expensive so I can see why some people would.