Lying about child's age for free admission

[user1489773847]

Costing out a day trip to the zoo, now that DC has turned two have to factor in their ticket cost. DH says that we should just say he isn't yet two so it's free, and that everyone does it. Just wondered what the general consensus is on this? I feel bad lying but see his point that DS is still pretty young and could end up napping through a lot of it so won't necessarily benefit.

People can choose to tell the truth all the time

No they can't. Some people might like to think they do,but they don't.

So lying not to save money fine, lying to save money bad? Why is that then? It's immoral to save money?

ImFuckingSpartacus: Sorry, Spartacus, we're done.

Careful Spart you too will be on the list.

Cos you ran out of answers and don't understand your own moral stance? Yep, you're done alright.

I should hope so Sookie I don't try this hard for no reward!

Which is why the world is such a shitty, immoral place. Let's not bother trying to change it, we'll just lazily go along with it because it's easier.

The world is indeed a shitty immoral place ArchNotImpudent but not because people pretend their child is five instead of six to get cheaper entry to a zoo.

I understand the slippery slope argument but we're talking about a tourist attraction in the first world. If someone sneaks her child in by lying about the age it will not increase your costs. Theme parks really don't put up the cost of entry because of all those bastards who try to dodge it.

People lying and stealing might affect the costs/profit margins of the zoo, but that's not your concern at the gate. You've paid what you think is a fair price. If not, don't go.

If I was running it, I might think that what I lost on the entrance price, I'd make on ice creams, face painting and tat from the gift shop. Or maybe I'd find the entry price the most important thing. But that's for the company to decide. It's not a decision for customers.

I'm still marginally pissed off about the time we went to a farm type place for my daughter's birthday with GPs in tow so 4 adults. The woman on the desk asked her how old she was and she proudly said she was 3 and it was her birthday today. So we were charged for 5 tickets. I did say to her that technically she wasn't 3 until 6p.m. but nope, no hint of letting us off for DD's ticket. The only reason you would go to this place is with kids. You'd think 4 paying adults would be more than enough for them. I take my custom elsewhere now.

I should hope so Sookie I don't try this hard for no reward!

You're aware that no-one is actually talking about theme parks at 200 a go?

You must have missed the post @ 17:37

On a lighter note, hope your DS has a lovely time (at legoland?) and you're able to use what would be his £45 entrance fee on a lovely big lego present in the shop for his birthday!

£45 each for a group of four, plus transport costs and food/drinks would be in excess of £200. Obviously exact costs will vary, but I think £200 is a fair average estimate for a family group visiting a theme park.

Sookie Every time I mention that theme park trips are a luxury, not a necessity, you start talking about 'poor people' not being 'entitled' to visit theme parks. It's you who doesn't seem to grasp that being unable to afford a trip to a theme park does not make you 'poor'.

The OP is talking about the Zoo, not Disneyland. And the concept is the same if you're talking about the local museum or Legoland.
If its ok in one, its ok in the other.

One of mine is very small for his age. He's 13 now but could pass as 9. When he was 5 we went to a bygone type show. 3's and under were free. 2 ladies at the entrance gate said his entry was free and I honestly admitted that he was 5 and they said not to worry he could be 3 for the day. My son got in a right strop saying "I don't want to be 3 today, I'm 5!" It was quite funny. We didn't pay though, they insisted.

limited - it's not the company's profits that concern me when I refer to the slippery slope argument. It's the overriding principle of telling a lie for personal gain, with no mitigating circumstance of the gain being necessary for survival (say) or an act of desperation - or the lie sparing someone's feelings. It's motivated by pure greed, and breeds the attitude that if you can't obtain something honestly, it's fine to lie, cheat or steal to get it.

The OP is talking about the Zoo, not Disneyland. And the concept is the same if you're talking about the local museum or Legoland.
If its ok in one, its ok in the other

In my opinion, it's not OK in either.

Bold fail, sorry!

limitedperiodonly: Okay. That's wrong, even ignoring the dishonesty involved in cheating the business out of their fee.

Trifleorbust I wouldn't be so upset about cheating businesses out of an entrance fee. They might judge that it's more profitable to let a child in cheaply and then gamble on selling ice creams etc on the premises.

If the family lie on the door and then bring a packed lunch then they've won. But if they don't, the attraction claws it back in spades.

But whatever happens, it makes no difference to your ticket price

Reminds me of a funny story about a little child who was asked how old they were. They replied "Well, I'm 5, unless I'm on a train. Then I'm only 4".

In my opinion, it's not OK in either

And in mine, it is. So you do you, I'll do me, and we can both be happy with our moral compass, k?

Arch you are the one saying its not a need if you have to lie about 1 childs age so the rest can enjoy it then its theft an they are scum and bad parents

You are so far removed from reality or a different family income to your own you cannot see past your own moral wall.

It genuinly makes you come across like a rich arsehole. Not saying you are but thats how it reads. Dont think I am the only poster who gets that impression either.

We once went to a small museum - a restored house.
It was expensive for what it was and the amount of time you were in there.
I tried to pay for DD then aged 5 and the man behind the counter refused and said 'she won't enjoy it, so I won't charge her'
She really really didn't enjoy it - we spent that money in the shop instead and we went away feeling much better about the visit (short and overpriced as it was)

Pricing isn't simple - especially for zoos. Some people will be going in with money off vouchers, some won't - how is that fair?

It's the overriding principle of telling a lie for personal gain, with no mitigating circumstance of the gain being necessary for survival (say) or an act of desperation - or the lie sparing someone's feelings. It's motivated by pure greed, and breeds the attitude that if you can't obtain something honestly, it's fine to lie, cheat or steal to get it

There again you are telling people with little money that unless they are starving and desperate, they should fuck off wanting anything for their children.
People who can afford necessities but nothing else should then never go to a zoo, or a museum, or a theme park if they can't quite afford it, because YOUR morals are bothered by it. Why should they care if you are bothered by it?

My mother used to lie about our ages every day on the bus, because she couldn't afford the fares. I guess to your mind we should have just walked, because no-one needs a bus, do they?

No. Never. Life is easier if you tell the truth.

Life is easier if you tell the truth

Nope.

I agree with spartacus

I dont think its right per se to lie for gain

But people lie all the time

"Yes darling i can see thats a picture of a horse...well done" instead of 'what the fuck is that'

Or ' that was a lovely meal mil' instead of 'how did you manage to burn peas!!!!'

For example

Sookie I have never, and would never, refer to a fellow human being as 'scum' - perhaps you're mixing me up with another poster?

Anyway, since you've resorted to calling me an 'arsehole' I don't think there's much value in continuing the debate. I enjoy discussing ideas like this in a rational manner, and some posters have made really valid and interesting points about income descrepancies, corporate greed and so forth. I'm sorry you're unable to engage on that sort of level - so I'll just say that we'll have to agree to differ, and wish you well.

You are not discussing ideas Arch you are just telling people how wrong they are and that the poor should never leave the house and if they fib about age then their children will end up morally corrupt and steal

I also said
It genuinly makes you come across like a rich arsehole. Not saying you are but thats how it reads. very different to calling you an arsehole.

Enjoy your ivory tower lets hope it does not crumble around you.