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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be angry they didn't serve me?

309 replies

PinkRiceKrispies · 08/06/2023 18:07

I am 37 first of all.
Had a thumping headache due to the heat today so went to buy some paracetamol and picked up 2 boxes. Got to the till and she said 'Sorry, but do you have ID? I just wasn't sure if you were over 18.' I told her my age and she still wouldn't let me have them. Don't drive so didn't have a license on me either.
Aibu to be annoyed? I look very young for my age but this seems ridiculous.

OP posts:
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8
WomblingTree86 · 08/06/2023 20:30

Florenz · 08/06/2023 20:20

I don't understand why people moan about this. Take ID with you when you go shopping, don't complain when the poor shop worker does their job. If you think it's a stupid rule, open your own shop and sell anything to anyone, no ID required, see how long you remain in business.

Not everyone has ID. It's not a legal requirement in this country and it's a bit ridiculous to suggest they should have it if they are in pain and need paracetamol or other pain relief..

sherbertyellowteddy · 08/06/2023 20:31

I was id'd for my own shopping delivery the other week. I was confused and asked what was it I had ordered he needed my Id for. Ooo let me check, the spoons and the glass milk jug. I just laughed and said I'm 36, I'm not planning on gauging eyes out with teaspoons.

PassMeTheRedbull · 08/06/2023 20:33

It is trading standards who impose the challenge 25 campaign, I work in a large supermarket chain and a colleague of mines was recently sacked because trading standards sent in a 23 year old man into the store to buy paracetamol, he looked older, had a beard etc, she failed the test purchase and was sacked on the spot, it was not our company or was trading standards!, as someone else said, we are staff are worried about our jobs so inconveniencing someone over that is a no brainer imo, I'm 32 and find it ok to estimate ages but the older staff in my work really struggle and regularly ID customers who are 30+

MargotBamborough · 08/06/2023 20:33

Barring the US, which is obviously a whole other level of nutbaggery, I can't think of a single other western country which engages in this level of pant wetting over buying fags, booze, cutlery or painkillers.

WomblingTree86 · 08/06/2023 20:33

crochetmylifeaway · 08/06/2023 20:26

I once id'd a lady who was about to turn 52. She honestly looked around 22. We had a good laugh about it.

She could lose her job or even end up in jail for selling an age restricted product. Once we ask for id we cannot then sell you it without any. Anyone who does like the lady above who explained she doesn't carry id is breaking the law.

You wouldn't end up in jail for not IDing someone who wanted to buy paracetamol.

MargotBamborough · 08/06/2023 20:34

WomblingTree86 · 08/06/2023 20:33

You wouldn't end up in jail for not IDing someone who wanted to buy paracetamol.

Show quote history

You wouldn't even end up in jail for selling alcohol to someone under 18.

slashlover · 08/06/2023 20:35

You wouldn't end up in jail for not IDing someone who wanted to buy paracetamol.

No, just possibly lose your job.

WomblingTree86 · 08/06/2023 20:37

PassMeTheRedbull · 08/06/2023 20:33

It is trading standards who impose the challenge 25 campaign, I work in a large supermarket chain and a colleague of mines was recently sacked because trading standards sent in a 23 year old man into the store to buy paracetamol, he looked older, had a beard etc, she failed the test purchase and was sacked on the spot, it was not our company or was trading standards!, as someone else said, we are staff are worried about our jobs so inconveniencing someone over that is a no brainer imo, I'm 32 and find it ok to estimate ages but the older staff in my work really struggle and regularly ID customers who are 30+

Trading standards might impose the challenge 25 campaign but paracetamol isn't part of it.

WomblingTree86 · 08/06/2023 20:38

slashlover · 08/06/2023 20:35

You wouldn't end up in jail for not IDing someone who wanted to buy paracetamol.

No, just possibly lose your job.

Maybe if the shop had decided that it shouldn't be sold without ID but that's nothing to do with the law.

Lira715 · 08/06/2023 20:39

I got refused white wine vinegar when I was 37 😂 not sure what they thought I might do with that .. my friend who I was with had ID said she’d get it for me and was also refused as she was buying it for me … they just doing their job as odd as it seems sometimes.

Whenwillitallmakesense · 08/06/2023 20:42

For those of you saying that this country doesn't require you to have ID, technically you're correct but anyone applying for certain jobs, both as employees and volunteers, it is essential to have 3 pieces of ID, at least one photographic and one proof of address, for purposes of DBS and right to work checks. I think this will become more and more the norm as time goes on and as more roles require these checks. So, although I don't agree you should need ID to buy certain items, I think everyone will be carrying ID in a couple of years' time or they won't be able to apply for anything

Allaboutthepizza · 08/06/2023 20:44

I got ID'd buying a packet of Rennies in M&S recently...it is literally mint flavoured chalk, and I'm 44 FFS!

WomblingTree86 · 08/06/2023 20:51

Whenwillitallmakesense · 08/06/2023 20:42

For those of you saying that this country doesn't require you to have ID, technically you're correct but anyone applying for certain jobs, both as employees and volunteers, it is essential to have 3 pieces of ID, at least one photographic and one proof of address, for purposes of DBS and right to work checks. I think this will become more and more the norm as time goes on and as more roles require these checks. So, although I don't agree you should need ID to buy certain items, I think everyone will be carrying ID in a couple of years' time or they won't be able to apply for anything

You don't have to carry ID though. Most jobs don't require DBS checks either.

WiddlinDiddlin · 08/06/2023 20:53

Really doesn't matter if its law or not.

No shop HAS to sell you anything.

If store policy is to apply Challenge 25 rules to a product, then thats what it is, and an employee not following that risks their job.

It can be infuriating to need ID for things, but that is the way things are and it has been for a fuck of a long time - I know, I don't drive and until 5 years ago, had no passport. Things were a fucking struggle at times (opening a bank account pre everyone having online banking as the norm?!)... but these days if you choose not to have any proof of ID...welllll... you're going to struggle aren't you!

PinkStarAtNight · 08/06/2023 20:59

YANBU to be pissed off. I thought you had to be 16 to buy medicines? I remember buying calpol on my 21st birthday (I couldn't swallow pills back then due to anxiety) and being ID'd because they clearly didn't think I looked 16. I was pissed off then, at 21, nevermind being 36! Its ridiculous.

I understand why this sort of ridiculous thing happens though. I used to work for Sainsbury's and they scared us to death with threats of being fired on the spot, sent to prison and being sadled with a criminal record for the rest of our lives if we sold any restricted items to underage customers. Its not the fault of the staff. But you are within your rights to be pissed off with whoever it is in the higher positions who make these ridiculous rules.

Kteeb1 · 08/06/2023 21:04

Are your diamond shoes too tight as well? What a terrible problem to have. Go to another shop and take ID next time!

Whenwillitallmakesense · 08/06/2023 21:10

@WomblingTree86 did I say you had to carry ID? Did I say ALL jobs need DBS? Where did i say that? Nope, I didn't. I was merely opining that more and more jobs may do in the future and it could become the norm for people to carry ID in the years to come. Don't be trying to imply I've said something other than what i actually did, specially when what i actually said is there in black and white for everybody to see.
It was an opinion. Is that OK with you, for me to have an opinion? Even if you don't agree with what I say?

N0tANOoDl3He4D · 08/06/2023 21:15

40, and got ID'd for my last piercing the other month. But I act like a child at the best of times.

It would piss me off if I was denied paracetamol though.

Brefugee · 08/06/2023 21:20

I think some people are hard of thinking.

I'm not hard of thinking. But some posters here seriously lack imagination.

What do you do if you have no photo ID? never buy alcohol? never get paracetemol (for the nth time as posters have said: it is not age restricted)

it is batshit.

highlandspooce · 08/06/2023 21:24

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 08/06/2023 18:19

I'm 32 and in my opinion I haven't aged well. I take great delight in being asked for ID, puts a spring in my step. Certainly wouldn't find it something to whinge about. Then again I carry photo ID in my purse, as I thought most likely did. Perhaps I'm wrong.

If you had a thumping headache and were refused paracetamol I'm sure you would 'whinge' about it.

slashlover · 08/06/2023 21:24

You apply for photo ID. a Citizencard costs £15.

for the nth time as posters have said: it is not age restricted

Not legally but a shop can have an age policy.

Brefugee · 08/06/2023 21:25

Especially when people get huffy because they don't have any ID on them.

again my point isn't checking age (although asking someone of 40 or refusing "because you have a child with you" is vastly overstepping) it is that in a country with no mandated ID if you don't drive or have a passport you're fucked.

And nearly nobody on this thread (with a few exceptions) can see how batshit that is. 16 year olds should be able to buy paracetemol.

And for the faint hearted, sit down: in Germany 16 year olds can buy beer and wine. And drink it

1vandal2 · 08/06/2023 21:26

None of those things are ID....

cocksstrideintheevening · 08/06/2023 21:28

Standard isn't it to prevent od.

You could have just bought one box?

Brefugee · 08/06/2023 21:29

a colleague of mines was recently sacked because trading standards sent in a 23 year old man into the store to buy paracetamol, he looked older, had a beard etc, she failed the test purchase and was sacked on the spot, it was not our company or was trading standards!, as someone else said, we are staff are worried about our jobs so inconveniencing someone over that is a no brainer

I'd boycott a chain that pathetic, tbh