My 2 ds, 13 & 12, refused entry to Poundland?!

[mrshectic]

Bit of a rant here, and know that some may disagree.
So whilst I was at home with my dd (6, and shielding), I gave my 2 ds a couple of pounds to get a token something from pound shop for their Dad for Father's Day tomorrow (as they will be spending the day there). They both have masks, and I trust them to be very sensible kids especially with things the way they've been. They are always courteous when we've had to go out (and are often shocked how many people still don't adhere to the 2m distancing ). I have often let them go the the local shop for me to get a couple of essentials, never been a problem.

Today, after queuing to get in, they were rudely refused access as they didn't have an adult present, even though 2 girls from their year group walked out together a few mins before. They were very embarrassed and a bit upset when they got back.

I'm actually furious....I have seen so many 'kids/teenagers' in there in groups or pairs shopping over recent weeks...and to be refused just so they can get their dad a bloody bit of tat, I fell, is ridiculous! We aren't in the first stages of lockdown!

Aibu to complain? Or should I let it go and take a breath

@Smallsteps88

No need to ring, I can answer that for you: they need an adult present.

I would accept that if it hadn’t been for two other children of the same age being allowed in without an adult present. So I’d be asking for the reason why a difference was made.

We don’t know if they had an adult with them who was lagging behind with the shopping or had just gone ahead and the boys just assumed they were alone.

Why do they need an adult? I don't understand why a 12 and 13 year old need an adult present? I've seen teenagers at the shops. I actually would ask, not in an angry way but in a can you please explain this.

I would be cross too. My kids have been out shopping throughout this time with no issues. I don't think there is a poundland policy that they need to have an adult with them and it's pretty discriminatory if there is such a policy.

We don’t know if they had an adult with them who was lagging behind with the shopping or had just gone ahead and the boys just assumed they were alone.

No we don’t, that’s something we could find out on a phone call.

I never knew teenagers needed an adult to be able to go into a shop? They certainly don’t here as there are loads in the local coop after school without parents

I’m pretty sure Poundland (and all shops / pubs / restaurants) have the right to refuse service to whoever they want.
I couldn’t get worked up about this tbh.
You’re also not ‘shielding’ your daughter of her brothers are going to Poundland by the way

If Poundland do have a “kids must be accompanied by an adult” policy they aren’t enforcing it in my local store.

Are they from an ethic minority?

@heartsonacake

YABU. Every parent thinks their child is polite and courteous, but young teenagers are not the same when they’re without their parents.

Parents seem to be under the delusion that “my child is not like that!” Yes, yes they are.

You can also ignore the two girls of a similar age; they’re not relevant. You don’t know if they had an adult with them who was lagging behind with the shopping or had just gone ahead.

Your kids also were not “rudely refused”. They don’t have an automatic right to enter a shop and shops are allowed to refuse service. The basis of a parent needing to be with a child is an important one right now.

Perfect response

I was on a train the other day, a group of young teens (mixed gender) got on and had a loud, trashy argument between themselves. Part of the group got off the train, where one of the boys on the platform threw something at the train and smashed the window next to the group left on the train. The group on the train found it hilarious and were just filming and taking selfies with the broken window.

Honestly it was like something off Jeremy Kyle.

I bet once the police caught up with them, all the parents of the kids involved would have insisted “they would never do that, they’re angels!” Etc etc!

I was on a train the other day, a group of young teens (mixed gender) got on and had a loud, trashy argument between themselves. Part of the group got off the train, where one of the boys on the platform threw something at the train and smashed the window next to the group left on the train. The group on the train found it hilarious and were just filming and taking selfies with the broken window.

How does this have anything to do with OPs children? I’ve seen loads of adults behave like that and worse when out. That doesn’t mean all adults are vandals. does it?

I don't think there is a poundland policy that they need to have an adult with them and it's pretty discriminatory if there is such a policy.

littleducks Don’t be so silly; it’s not discrimination at all. Shops have a right to dictate who they do and do not allow in their stores.

Yes, not discrimination at all @heartsonacake....shops should be able to say no women or no Asian people or no one with a disability or no pensioners?

Right to refuse service needs to be carefully balanced against discriminating.

@littleducks

Yes, not discrimination at all *@heartsonacake*....shops should be able to say no women or no Asian people or no one with a disability or no pensioners?

Right to refuse service needs to be carefully balanced against discriminating.

You need to educate yourself on the protected characteristics, @littleducks.

Age discrimination doesn’t apply to those under the age of 18.

I would save your fury for something more important.

The entitlement attitude is killing this country and it is being taught earlier and earlier, it seems.

As parents, surely we should be trying to produce a resilient generation, not a bunch of snowflakes ready to take umbrage at any perceived slight?

@Smallsteps88 well as I was agreeing with the person I quoted, I added an example of how young teens can behave when their parents aren’t around as it was something I very recently witnessed?

The staff at Poundland have definitely seen out of control young teens in their store, it’s their prerogative to not allow them in if a responsible adult isn’t chaperoning them. It’s not illegal age discrimination either, if that’s what you’re whinging about. The law allows for exceptions if it’s a proportional means to achieve a legitimate aim, which in this case would be to prevent shoplifting, vandalism, disregard to COVID safety precautions etc.

I added an example of how young teens can behave when their parents aren’t around as it was something I very recently witnessed?

An example of one group of arsehole teens. That’s not proof of anything wrt other teens. Just like the numerous groups of arsehole adults aren’t proof that all adults are arseholes. Right?

The staff at Poundland have definitely seen out of control young teens in their store

And adults. I can guarantee you that.

if that’s what you’re whinging about.

Whingeing? Me?

@Starksforthewin
The entitlement attitude is killing this country and it is being taught earlier and earlier, it seems.

Entitlement attitude??

Why is it entitlement to want to go into a shop and buy something?

I thought we were supposed to be teaching our children how to be independent adults?
I was going into our local town on the bus on my own at 11 to get shopping for my mum. And that was 50+ years ago. Why can't children today do the same?
If they'd caused trouble then fair enough, but where is the evidence of that?

Quarantimespringclean

Assuming this wasn’t race related I’d let it go.

Oh for gods sake! You’re one of those tue I got Everything in to a race issue! Pathetic!

OP - don’t leave it. Call the shop and speak to the manager.

Quarantimespringclean

Assuming this wasn’t race related I’d let it go.

Oh for gods sake! You’re one of those who turn everything in to a race issue! Pathetic!

OP - don’t leave it. Call the shop and speak to the manager.

I don't need to educate myself on anything @heartsonacake I believe it's wrong. Actually my initial post says I didn't believe there was such a poundland policy and I still don't. My reason for that being that all the branches around here admit people of all ages.

You can discriminate against people for other than listed characteristics. I never said that it was illegal. Just that it was discrimination.

I'm not suggesting we all wage a war against poundland here. I only said I would have been cross too.

A lot of our local shops won't let 2 secondary school age children in together

But isn't that when they turn up en masse in school uniform after school for a small shop like an off licence?

Poundland isn't a small shop.

Age discrimination doesn't extend to the under 18s but sex discrimination does. So if they let in two girls, but not two boys, they would have to have a very good reason why (and "boys are more likely to shoplift" isn't good enough unless they have evidence that is the case).

Anyway if they don't want your money, spend it elsewhere and remember next time. They're a crap shop selling tat anyway.

I thought we were supposed to be teaching our children how to be independent adults

This. It's hardy entitled to expect a 13 year old to be able to buy their own Father's Day gift!

Small children should not be in shops at the moment - but that's small children who run around and touch everything and scream at the top of their voices because they're bored. Not young teens.

I’m pretty sure Poundland (and all shops / pubs / restaurants) have the right to refuse service to whoever they want

They definitely do not. Have you never heard of the gay B&B cases where B&Bs refused to let rooms to gay couples? You can't refuse service based on a protected characteristic (except age, but under 18s are covered by sex or race, for example).