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AIBU?

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Original poster

To get really frustrated by the Think 25 rule

439 replies

Cloeycat · 05/12/2016 10:53

Not so much having to be ID'd but the fact that if I am with my partner and don't have my wallet (I'm over 25 and also obviously pregnant) that he is not able to purchase alcohol for himself unless I hide or pretend not to be with him.

I don't always carry my ID with me, especially if we are just popping to our local supermarket for something for dinner and he is paying but it is so frustrating that I then have to wait outside the door in the cold like a naughty 16yr old so that he can buy himself a beer or bottle of wine.

Does this rule apply to parents buying alcohol if they are accompanied by children who are under 18? Or is it just when it is two adults trying to legally buy alcohol that a problem arises?

OP posts:
Gincident · 05/12/2016 18:54

The rule is there because it's more difficult for a 17 year old to pose as a 25 year old than it is for them to look like they are 18. I agree that it is a bit stupid that by shopping with someone who is underage or has no ID means that you can't be served either. But it's less hassle for you to wait outside or carry some ID than it is for the person serving to be fined!

Gincident · 05/12/2016 18:55

The rule is there because it's more difficult for a 17 year old to pose as a 25 year old than it is for them to look like they are 18. I agree that it is a bit stupid that by shopping with someone who is underage or has no ID means that you can't be served either. But it's less hassle for you to wait outside or carry some ID than it is for the person serving to be fined!

Gincident · 05/12/2016 18:55

The rule is there because it's more difficult for a 17 year old to pose as a 25 year old than it is for them to look like they are 18. I agree that it is a bit stupid that by shopping with someone who is underage or has no ID means that you can't be served either. But it's less hassle for you to wait outside or carry some ID than it is for the person serving to be fined!

Gincident · 05/12/2016 18:55

The rule is there because it's more difficult for a 17 year old to pose as a 25 year old than it is for them to look like they are 18. I agree that it is a bit stupid that by shopping with someone who is underage or has no ID means that you can't be served either. But it's less hassle for you to wait outside or carry some ID than it is for the person serving to be fined!

Gincident · 05/12/2016 18:55

The rule is there because it's more difficult for a 17 year old to pose as a 25 year old than it is for them to look like they are 18. I agree that it is a bit stupid that by shopping with someone who is underage or has no ID means that you can't be served either. But it's less hassle for you to wait outside or carry some ID than it is for the person serving to be fined!

Gincident · 05/12/2016 18:55

The rule is there because it's more difficult for a 17 year old to pose as a 25 year old than it is for them to look like they are 18. I agree that it is a bit stupid that by shopping with someone who is underage or has no ID means that you can't be served either. But it's less hassle for you to wait outside or carry some ID than it is for the person serving to be fined!

Gincident · 05/12/2016 18:55

The rule is there because it's more difficult for a 17 year old to pose as a 25 year old than it is for them to look like they are 18. I agree that it is a bit stupid that by shopping with someone who is underage or has no ID means that you can't be served either. But it's less hassle for you to wait outside or carry some ID than it is for the person serving to be fined!

Gileswithachainsaw · 05/12/2016 18:59

none I said that in relation to people having their car keys on them...

Surprise surprise often when they open their wallets to attempt to pay it's there. Trust me many really are just after the fight!!

You can also get citizen cards that many places accept

Or there are passports or military ID cards.

Anyone can put on a ring or borrow a debit card. It's the photos ID that is needed.

NetflixandBill · 05/12/2016 19:01

It's really overzealous. I fail to see how a shop could be penalised for selling alcohol to an adult who then chooses to supply this to a minor unless they have clear indications that that is what is taking place e.g gang of teenagers standing outside an offy asking strangers to buy them drink.

RaspberryOverloadTheFirst · 05/12/2016 19:03

giraffessay Mon 05-Dec-16 18:52:09
I wonder, how many men who have 2 kids in their 30s get asked? I do feel it's a discriminatory policy, as I never see men asked.

This is actually a good point. Anecdotally, I think most of the people who have complained in RL about being asked for ID have been female. OK, this isn't definitive, you'd need a proper survey for this, but it makes me think a little.

Gileswithachainsaw · 05/12/2016 19:06

Fwiw most of the people I ID are men Grin

And I have on on occasion asked people who have turned out to be nearly 30 odd...Blush

If it makes a difference most are of an ethnicity where they look disturbingly young..jammy bastards they usually see the funny side

NetflixandBill · 05/12/2016 19:08

External checkers are not sending 23 year olds to buy alcohol. The Think 25 thing is not the law, it is a 'rule of thumb'; a policy. If you are satisfied that the customer looks over 18 AND THEY ARE you have committed no offence.

Original poster
Cloeycat · 05/12/2016 19:11

Being pregnant just meant it's even less likely (although not impossible obviously) that my OH was buying the alcohol for me.

I do want to reiterate to everyone saying I shouldn't kick off at shop assistants that I have never and would never do so. Also my problem is NOT being asked for ID when I am the purchaser. What fucks me off is that my OH with his ID is not allowed to legally buy alcohol when I'm with him because god forbid I drink some. It is outrageous that the staff member should be held accountable for whoever consumes the alcohol after it leaves the shop.

OP posts:
2ndSopranos · 05/12/2016 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WatchingFromTheWings · 05/12/2016 19:20

If you are satisfied that the customer looks over 18 AND THEY ARE you have committed no offence.

The police, Trading Standards, alcohol licensing etc would disagree with that. I do know of someone who worked in a shop local to mine who was given an on the spot fine for not IDing an alcohol sale 2 years ago.

If we do not operate the Think 25 policy, we CAN be fined, we CAN run the risk of imprisonment, the store WILL more than likely lose the licence, and staff are almost certain to lose their jobs.

Really don't understand why people are still struggling to understand the seriousness of it.

Batteriesallgone · 05/12/2016 19:21

it is outrageous that the staff member should be held accountable for whoever consumes the alcohol after it leaves the shop

Exactly this. I think this proxy law is awful precisely because it puts checkout people in such a difficult position. They are not police FFS!

Gileswithachainsaw · 05/12/2016 19:28

Really don't understand why people are still struggling to understand the seriousness of it

Me either.

It is something that is basically drummed into you on a daily basis. I know of several people who have received disciplinaries fir failing the checks. It is something my company takes VERY seriously. I'd be In more trouble for failing the check than i would if I told every third customer to piss off...

Millymollymanatee · 05/12/2016 19:29

My cousin was Id and she's 43. She was made up.

Hulababy · 05/12/2016 19:50

Ocado delivery will ask for ID if you have alcohol in the shopping and a teen is the one taking delivery of the shopping. If no alcohol it is fine though, or at least it was, ime.

RE the US - they don't, ime, ID everyone and anyone. DH has never been ID'd in the US (he would have been 31y the first time we went) though I am often asked, even now - I can look a bit younger I guess but at 43y I look no where near 21!

They are very strict on alcohol sales though in lots of places - often you can only buy one drink per person at a time, and the other people drinking have to be present at the bar/counter when ordering and taking drinks to the table. Some places won't serve you alcohol at a counter (not a bar, more like a cafe counter) if you have a child present with you - you have to leave them sat at the table ime.

Hulababy · 05/12/2016 19:51

Millymollymanatee - I am 43y and have been ID'd in the US and the UK in the past year. Can't say I was 'made up' about it though - more bemused and a bit eye rolling more likely tbh - as said I might look a little younger than 43y at times but clearly more than old enough to drink alcohol in either country!

CrazyGreyhoundLady · 05/12/2016 20:26

This whole thread has really boiled my piss if I'm honest. I work for a very large chain of supermarkets who have been mentioned several times. (Can't name them because of our policy on naming them publicly but I bet you can guess.) I just want to clear some things up for those of you who think you should be above the law and policies in place for the protection of minors, and therefore think it is ok to abuse minimum wage workers who KNOW that the law/policy they have to follow is absurd but can do nothing to change it.

Think 25 policy:

Original poster
Cloeycat · 05/12/2016 20:37

'Those of you who think you should be above the law and policies in place for the protection of minors, and therefore think it is ok to abuse minimum wage workers who KNOW that the law/policy they have to follow is absurd but can do nothin to change it'

Who said they think they can abuse workers as a result of this?

OP posts:
BitchQueen90 · 05/12/2016 20:38

I used to work in a bar and they often send in mystery customers to check that we are following the think 25 policy. If we don't follow it then we get in trouble and our boss gets in MAJOR trouble.

It's not always easy to guess someone's age. I for one am terrible at it and it's better to be safe than sorry.

I'm 26 and I still get asked for ID all the time. I don't care. I take mine everywhere if I'm planning on purchasing alcohol. I don't roll my eyes and act annoyed if I'm asked because believe me we don't like asking but we HAVE to.

StStrattersOfMN · 05/12/2016 20:43

I've been ID'd buying nail polish remover in Asda.

I'm 49, and under no illusions that I look anything other. I definitely don't look under 25, particularly when I've got my 19yo daughter with me, and she's pissing herself laughing and calling me mum.

PossumInAPearTree · 05/12/2016 20:46

I'm 40 and still get ID'd which amazes me with the amount of grey hair I have. I don't even wear makeup and I think I look quite haggard!

But I do have ID so not a problem. But if Tesco or whoever ever refused to sell me wine if I had 15yo dd with me I would be cross. Polite but cross. Sometimes she comes with me when I'm shopping but so far they've never refused to serve me.