To think DD shouldn't have been refused entry at the zoo???

[Spooksatthezoo]

DD went to the zoo today (project for her degree) and was asked for ID! They said anyone under 16 needs an adult with them she's 19 in November. She doesn't drive (hence doesn't just carry ID around) and got the coach there and couldn't even get in. Ridiculous.

AIBU?

Op, I think you are getting some unfair comments here.

My DD17 is not that keen on purses and has only just started using one regularly. Not typical of girls I know, but then she isn't ultra girly!! She tends to carry everything in a rucksack, rarely uses handbags. Her purse contains a small amount of money, her railcard (not sure if that has DOB?) and debit card. Sometimes she ditches the purse and just puts her debit card inside her phone case. So she also wouldn't have the necessary ID to get into the zoo your DD tried to get into!!

She does have a provisional licence, but kept at home, why would a 17yo carry ID when not able to go drinking or clubbing. But like Ops DD, she would be barred from the zoo!!! Very very bizarre.

As for general ID, my purse has a variety of debit, credit and loyalty cards, so the police would know my name in an accident, but nothing has my age on (not that I need it at my advanced age 😂😂)

I don't have photo ID. I have anxiety: I can't drive and don't go abroad so no passport. It's a PITA but I'm not prepared to shell out to get a passport just for ID purposes. The government should do ID cards.

Are you in England yuk?

Yes I am in England. I am of an age though where I do still get ID'd but I would say I don't get asked more often than I do get asked nowadays. I also know people in their early 30s who look young and get asked for ID.
And actually, the discussion of ID is, I believe, a huge part of our culture. We need ID to get into many clubs and pubs, and every shop we go into will have signs dotted around saying Think 25!
We've even had adverts.

The only place my id went at 19 was the pub . Never occurred to me to take it anywhere else because I didn't need it.

They have to be sure though don't they I can see your point but I can see theirs too.

PeapodBurgundy, no one needs to. However, when asked for ID, and you don't have any, well you can't argue the toss about if, buts and whys.

ID to prove you are old enough to get into the Zoo... crackers, it will become a legend.

It's not really about IDing every one who visits the zoo though, is it? I can see why they would be concerned about under 16s visiting alone, children need to be supervised in such places. I can access understand it more than IDing for a scratch card, I mean what exactly can an under 16 do with one if they win? Pointless really.

@wibblywobblywoo a very good zoo actually. They have discounts for pensioners. Not students.

No it doesn't say you need ID to visit, just that under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.

I have a purse but I don't often use it myself, I don't really use a bag - prefer to carry things my pockets. If I'm only going to the shops all I have with me is my phone, debit card and keys. They go in my pockets.

My dd is 15 & has stopped carrying a purse too. She has a phone case with a slot for her debit card & bus pass & she puts notes in there, coins & keys in her pocket.

I don't drive, but since 17/18 I've always carried ID around with me, as have most people I know. So IMO this is on your daughter for not carrying something round with her that should be as standard as carrying around a bank card or cash etc.

If it's the rules of the zoo, then they have to be sure and the member of staff that refused her entry clearly weren't too sure of your daughter's age, so for them it simply was wasn't worth risking their job.

It's a shame a 12, 13, 14 or 15 year old can't go for a mooch around the zoo on their own.

It is true that irritations to periodically crop up of you don't carry ID. I didn't used to carry it routinely but gave in around 30 after being refused various things too many times. I was refused a bottle of wine in Morrisons last month, despite being in my 40s and looking it (didn't have my purse on me, just a debit card). The world has become very officious and risk averse.

Totally unrelated and sounds like a stealth boast but I promise it isn't - I've had to start carrying ID around with me at 3-fucking-2 because since having my son a year ago the bags under my eyes, scraggy hair and no make up has regressed me to the point of being asked for ID for a KITCHEN KNIFE

Any wine purchases I make holding my breath if I forget my passport (I don't drive)

Actually i had forgotten about Ds3 and his mate ( geeky, uncool types) being refused entry to the Royal Armouries at either 16 or 17. They were very fed up, both myself and the mates mum totally bemused. ( could be dangerous looing at all those swords in cases) .

No it doesn't say you need ID to visit, just that under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.
How the bloody hell else are they to determine a person's age in the presence of doubt? Really, it's common sense.

What student doesn't carry their ID around in their wallet,

A surprising number can't remember to bring their student card, which also acts as their library card, to the university library where I work.

I don't drive, but since 17/18 I've always carried ID around with me, as have most people I know. So IMO this is on your daughter for not carrying something round with her that should be as standard as carrying around a bank card or cash etc.

Says who? there is no obligation to carry ID in this country. The DD is over 16 and in the OP's opinion does not look 16. So it probably did not occur to her that she would be questioned on her age.

No one thinks to carry ID to the zoo for goodness sake, to the pub you know that you will be IDed but no one expects to be IDed to get into a zoo, if you don't drive your not taking your passport to get into a zoo! Its irrelevent really whether its normal to carry round ID or not (which is a drivers license or passport), the dd didnt and id be pretty pissed off to be refused entry to a zoo at 19. Theres loads of activities that are no unaccompanied under 16s but I always thought those rules were to stop groups of silly teenagers messing about, its pretty sad that a 15 year old cant go and have a look round a zoo (or a 19 year old without id)

Also they don't have to be sure someone is over 16, its not the law its the zoos policy, they are not breaking any law by accidentally letting in a lone 15 yr old. I would expect them to use reasonable logic when applying the policy tbh.

I expect that thr zoo has some health and safety concerns about under 16s being unaccompanied where dangerous animals etc are present, perhaps related to their public liability insurance. However, the person who refused entry and could have contacted their supervisor.. Suggest one phone call to parent to confirm date of birth. However it is probably useful for the person to obtain some form of identification for future use

I once got ID'd for buying a chopping board... apparently it came under their knife code which needed a manager to override lol.

Rather bizarre policy by the zoo. There is no legal requirement in this country that we walk around with ID.
TBH OP I'd be more "pleased" if you will to have a 19 year old who clearly doesn't think about clubbing or drinking. Because at that age I always had my ID just for situations like that.

As an aside I'm 35 and got ID-ed a few weeks ago while buying a beer. At a chipotle. But may also have just been because I'm clearly pregnant (and was buying the beer for DH who was running late) and the person at the till was probably judging me!