Has everyone done something illegal?

[PurpleHandledBasket]

Because according to my mum, everyone’s done something a little bit illegal and not been caught.

I really haven’t.

I didn’t try cigarettes until I was at University
I never tried alcohol until I was 18 or drank underage apart from the odd sip
I’ve never shoplifted
I never bunked school
I never used a fake ID to get into a club or get served in a pub or buy lottery tickets or scratchcards underage
I’ve never not paid for my train ticket or my TV license

I have plenty of other life experiences. I’ve been to university, I’ve been abroad lots of times, I’ve been through divorce and domestic abuse and I’ve owned pets. I’ve held down a job as a single parent (and I am still doing). I’ve had mental health issues.

But I’ve never done anything illegal.

My mum was surprised, she insists everyone has done something a bit illegal and you haven’t lived if you haven’t done at least 1 of the above. She says she’s done all of the above at one time or another.

So AIBU to think that not everyone has done something illegal?

I think most people have, even unintentionally but "nobody" or "everybody" is rarely the correct answer to a question

Do you not drive and never gone slightly over the speed limit? That's about as much as I've ever done, apart from maybe pinching the odd penny sweet (when they were penny sweets) as a young child.

I've never smoked or taken any illegal drugs people are often amazed at that.

Driven over the speed limit?

You have - you drank alcohol under the age of 18 It doesn’t matter if it was just the odd sip, you still (technically) broke the law.

OP, do you drive? What about speeding? Or parking on a double yellow?

If you're a driver, I'd bet my house that you have driven at 31mph in a town, or 71mph on a motorway.

@SirChenjins

You have - you drank alcohol under the age of 18 It doesn’t matter if it was just the odd sip, you still (technically) broke the law.

It's not illegal to drink under the age of 18. If she was in her own home and the alcohol provided by parents, for example - completely legal.

I don't drive

Is it illegal to drink underage though or just to buy it? You can drink at home with parents can't you, so a christmas snowball was fine.

@SirChenjins

You have - you drank alcohol under the age of 18 It doesn’t matter if it was just the odd sip, you still (technically) broke the law.

It it not actually illegal to drink if you are under 18 if it is on private premises or home.

I have done things, and got caught for some too.
I think the people who make a point of trying to say how shiny their halo is have something to hide.

I have, I think most people have tbh, maybe not everyone but when people say that they just mean most people

I think most people have done something small…. even going 1 or 2 mph over the limit etc.

But of course it’s not possible to say that everybody has - there will always be the occasional exception.

@HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime I get that all the time! If the conversation ever arises and I say I've never smoked or touched a single drug (non medical/prescription anyway) people can't believe it! Must be a vibe I give out

It it not actually illegal to drink if you are under 18 if it is on private premises or home

Good point

Hmmmm.....given the amount of people on mumsnet who were above the law in terms of covid when it suited them, I can't imagine there is too many who haven't done anything illegal.
Covid laws maybe don't count though?

I’d say I’m very law abiding but have done w couple of your list! Have you never even broke the speed limit? Cycled on the pavement? Parked on double yellows for 2 mins while waiting for somebody?? I think this could be a challenge to find something! Google tells me vacuuming after 1pm on a Sunday is also illegal!

I've done so many illegal things but nothing that would harm anyone.

I've lied under oath. A civil matter where the damages at stake were £2000 covered by insurance. I made a professional mistake and lied to cover it

Do you mean illegal in the UK (presuming you live here) or across the world?

As in some countries an abortion is illegal for example, or chewing gum, feeding pigeons or wearing high heels.

So odds are you've done SOMETHING that's illegal somewhere, even if it's not illegal in the UK.

Trespass?

Your Mum's probably right in that lots of folk drink before 18 or try drugs at some point.

I have done my fair share but I wouldn't count myself as a law breaker. It's just bog standard pushing boundaries or occasional stupidity.

Something that springs to mind is nipping to the shop with my OH’s bank card (he knows!).

@SirChenjins

You have - you drank alcohol under the age of 18 It doesn’t matter if it was just the odd sip, you still (technically) broke the law.

It's not illegal to drink underage, it's illegal to sell it to underage drinkers

Most people I know have illegally downloaded or streamed music, movies, games etc.