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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to lie about my child's age?

170 replies

merrybloominchristmas · 10/02/2019 13:31

am looking at theatre website. i want to buy tickets to take my 15 year old son to see a shakespeare play tthat he is doing for GCSE.

Tickets for under 16s are 25 pound.
tickets for 16-25 year olds are 5 pound.

wtf?

would it be unreasonable to buy him a 16-25 ticket and lie?
he's nearly 16 anyway!

OP posts:
WhenTheSkyFalls · 10/02/2019 13:32

Go for it (unless you have to prove it with a college card? 🤷🏼‍♀️)

Original poster
merrybloominchristmas · 10/02/2019 13:34

but plenty of 16 year olds are still at school in year 11 yes?

OP posts:
SeeYouLaterUserData · 10/02/2019 13:34

Well it's most likely a typo so I'd phone them to correct it (and not explain the significance to me). If it's deliberate, take your chances.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 10/02/2019 13:35

Is that if you're registered with the 16-25 scheme, though? You have to provide proof of age before you can properly join the scheme and then show that when you go to the cinema. It's designed to get that age group going to the theatre, they do it near me too.

You could give it a go but he may well be turned away if that is the case, depending on how stringent your theatre is!

ThatThingYouDo · 10/02/2019 13:36

I would do it. It's not an issue unless they ask for proof, which is unlikely.

FWIW I take my daughter to the zoo and pretend she's under 3 so I don't have to pay for her (she was 3 in October but small for her age!).

Bobbycat121 · 10/02/2019 13:39

I always lie, I put my 4 year old in the pram at the zoo and say he is 2 all the time and put baby in sling. then let him out when we get inside. never once been caught
out 😂

UnderMajorDomoMinor · 10/02/2019 13:43

Do you not need a special card or proof of age?

Veterinari · 10/02/2019 13:49

I always lie, I put my 4 year old in the pram at the zoo and say he is 2 all the time and put baby in sling. then let him out when we get inside. never once been caught
out 😂

FWIW I take my daughter to the zoo and pretend she's under 3 so I don't have to pay for her (she was 3 in October but small for her age!).

You do realise that zoos are charities don’t you? And they rely on the gate fee to manage the animals well. If you go regularly get a members/annual pass (which also often gives you additional discounts) but laughing about defrauding them isn’t big or clever Hmm

Bobbycat121 · 10/02/2019 14:02

certain zoo prices are daylight robbery. When they want 20-30 pp yes I will sneak one in if i can.

Original poster
merrybloominchristmas · 10/02/2019 14:03

I've messaged the theatre and phrased it as 'i want to take two gcse students who are in the same class. one is already 16 and one is nearly 16. do they really need to pay 20 more?'
we'll see what they come back with.
seems absolutely bonkers to me.

OP posts:
mrsmuddlepies · 10/02/2019 14:15

I agree with veterinari.

MrsCasares · 10/02/2019 14:19

Also agree with veterinari.

ThatThingYouDo · 10/02/2019 14:21

Veterinari I have paid £300 for annual membership to the zoo for myself, my husband and my 7 year old. I think I've paid enough thanks. Also the zoo charges £3.00 for a cup of tea, believe me they are not short of funds! So yes I'll continue pretending my child is below 3 whilst I can get away with it. HTH

paintinmyhairAgain · 10/02/2019 14:22

with veterinari on this one. if it's too expensive don't go, but these places are expensive to maintain.

AwsomeName · 10/02/2019 14:23

I would say they're 16. Unless you need ID

mrsmuddlepies · 10/02/2019 14:30

I think I have paid too much tax, so it would be nice to decide that the Government has had enough from me but it would be illegal and unfair on everyone else.
I wonder what else do posters decide to cheat about and how indignant would they be if caught and banned from using the zoo again. Posts that boast about cheating always shock me.

Sarahjconnor · 10/02/2019 14:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Billben · 10/02/2019 14:34

I have paid £300 for annual membership to the zoo for myself, my husband and my 7 year old. I think I've paid enough thanks. Also the zoo charges £3.00 for a cup of tea, believe me they are not short of funds! So yes I'll continue pretending my child is below 3 whilst I can get away with it. HTH

You can try to justify yourself as much as you want, you are still in the wrong 😂

Original poster
merrybloominchristmas · 10/02/2019 14:38

have just bought Romeo and Juliet tickets for the same reason, I have a 15 year old year 11 son so I got the tickets at the cheaper price, which seems very unfair on you!

Do you mind me asking where you are going to see it?
It seems an insane pricing structure.A ,lot of 15 year olds are studying it and will want to see it!

OP posts:
Original poster
merrybloominchristmas · 10/02/2019 14:38

Just to be clear-I am not considering any visits to the zoo!

OP posts:
BrokenWing · 10/02/2019 14:41

Posts that boast about cheating always shock me.

Its not just cheating, its defrauding a charity and the pp should be ashamed of themselves. Why not shoplift in the gift shop (also for charity) while you are there?

Its not a voluntary donation, they clearly state their ticket prices, if you don't want to pay them don't go.

danni0509 · 10/02/2019 14:46

@Bobbycat121 love it 😂

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/02/2019 14:47

It might well be something like UniDays (my DD has this but she's at 6th Form)

It does seem a huge difference , how many under 16 would see Shakespeare by choice (I know there might be a few)

What play is he seeing? Some are quite grim (I'm thinking of Titus Andronicus which has massive complaints.. er durr read the flipping storyline first)

I once lied about DD age , we bought Legoland tickets with a free return ticket , only for a set period of time , off peak.
DD had just gone over the age by less than a week, but we didn't pass on the information and prayed she didn't grass us up.
"No, Mummy, I'm not three , I'm four "

If we'd been rumbled , we'd have just had to pay it (but the shame )

missbattenburg · 10/02/2019 14:47

also with veterinari...

Missingstreetlife · 10/02/2019 14:51

There is a scheme (like student railcard etc) to encourage young people to buy tickets. A child's ticket would be paid for by a parent I presume. Still less than an adult, but not cheap. You need to find out the criteria and conditions.