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AIBU?

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Original poster

Costa won't sell coffee/caffeine to under 18s?

97 replies

rcyclable · 27/04/2023 18:19

Dd16 tried to buy a latte from Costa earlier. Apparently the man serving asked how old she was as he's not allowed to sell caffeine to under 18s. She got the coffee as he said 'just this once but he wouldn't be able to sell it in future.

I asked if he was joking and apparently not. Is there any truth in this? I know there are restrictions on energy drinks, but never heard of anything like this.

OP posts:
HaveYouSeenTheTime · 27/04/2023 19:10

My teens have never been turned away

Original poster
rcyclable · 27/04/2023 19:10

We definitely used to drink coffee at college in the common room, possibly even at school.

OP posts:
shieldmaiden7 · 27/04/2023 19:11

My daughter who's 14 has been served countless times, even in her school uniform. I had no idea about this 🤔

Bonkersworknonsense · 27/04/2023 19:14

That’s really odd. Is this a thing now, keeping kids away from tea and coffee? I’ve been drinking tea since I was 8 and coffee since I was 14 and (I realize the following makes me sound ancient) it never did me any harm that I can see.

neslop · 27/04/2023 19:19

We used to have a sixth form bar where we could buy alcohol (1980s private school) 😂

Original poster
rcyclable · 27/04/2023 19:20

Not a drip feed as it doesn't really add anything, but apparently he said 'if you want coffee it's going to have to be decaf'
She didn't tell him it was for me, so he broke the rules he was saying he had to follow.

I'll contact the branch I think, if I'm able to contact about an individual store.

OP posts:
lionsleepstonight · 27/04/2023 19:20

NewNovember · 27/04/2023 18:59

Why is he a non fur caring about her health. Under 18's shoukd not be consuming caffeine unless the small amounts in chocolate.

Show quote history

It's not his job to police a 16 year olds caffeine choices.

It's not his choice nor yours.

BiddyPop · 27/04/2023 19:21

Considering the amount of coffee teen dd has been buying there since she was 15, it sounds odd...

UndercoverCop · 27/04/2023 19:21

I recently did a careers talk at a sixth form college that had an on site Costa for the students....

UndercoverCop · 27/04/2023 19:22

A proper one not a machine

ArchieStar · 27/04/2023 19:26

OP just thinking the worst here. Could he have done it as a query of her age to see if she was “legal” as in 18? And obviously when she’s said 16 he’s had to back track and make out it’s about the coffee not a pervert trying his luck thinking she’s older.

Retrievemysanity · 27/04/2023 19:26

DD was told she had to be 16 to buy a coffee (Costa, West Mids). I’d never heard of that before either.

Bandanadrama · 27/04/2023 19:40

Are they allowed to serve tea?

JoanThursday · 27/04/2023 19:47

I have never heard of this. My nearly 14yo loves the occasional milky coffee. And he's definitely had them in Costa.

Topseyt123 · 27/04/2023 19:49

rcyclable · 27/04/2023 19:10

We definitely used to drink coffee at college in the common room, possibly even at school.

We used to occasionally be served tea or coffee with school dinners in primary school. Also, we were allowed to put sugar in it too! Shock horror!! 😱🤣

This was in the early 1970s. When I think what people might say about that sort of thing these days I'm actually flabbergasted that we survived it intact but we did.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/04/2023 20:18

NewNovember · 27/04/2023 18:59

Why is he a non fur caring about her health. Under 18's shoukd not be consuming caffeine unless the small amounts in chocolate.

Show quote history

Have the Mormons staged a takeover on the quiet?

paulmccartneysbagel · 27/04/2023 20:25

DDs school canteen has a coffee machine. She doesn't drink it but plenty of her friends do (year 8 so 12/13)

Redshoeblueshoe · 27/04/2023 20:26

Neverdropyourmooncup I think you're right

TheSnowyOwl · 27/04/2023 20:31

They do/did have this rule but I’m not sure how strictly it’s enforced or even if it’s still in place.

It’s like places that have to ID you for things, he probably felt awkward being put in the position and because he knew it wasn’t illegal he was kind enough to serve her anyway.

sst1234 · 27/04/2023 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Aslanplustwo · 27/04/2023 20:36

NewNovember · 27/04/2023 18:59

Why is he a non fur caring about her health. Under 18's shoukd not be consuming caffeine unless the small amounts in chocolate.

Show quote history

Oh don't be so ridiculous! I drank coffee at school when I was under 16, as did others - we all seem to be fine.

Skybluepinky · 27/04/2023 20:45

My c 6th form have Costa in it, they can buy coffee.

Qilin · 27/04/2023 20:51

Is it just coffee?
What about tea, green tea, hot chocolate, decaf, etc?
What about a bar of chocolate?
All have caffeine in.

Daffodilmorning · 27/04/2023 20:51

NewNovember · 27/04/2023 18:59

Why is he a non fur caring about her health. Under 18's shoukd not be consuming caffeine unless the small amounts in chocolate.

Show quote history

In the same way as he would be a nob for refusing to sell a pregnant woman coffee… it’s legal and none of his business.

AtomicBlondeRose · 27/04/2023 20:51

The sixth form college I work at has a cafe with coffee machines - they seem pretty popular with the students. Never thought twice about them drinking coffee tbh!

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