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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that the rules are RIDICULOUS and infantilising?

398 replies

OhBling · 09/07/2023 18:37

Was just in a Co Op buying a few bits. DS negotiated with me that I'd buy him a Monster, and he'd drink half (they are such huge tins it drives me mad)....

... the man in co op would not sell it to me because I was going to give it to a child.

FFS. I'm an adult. He is my child. I can decide what he can and can't have. And caffeine is NOT illegal for children.

I'm also fully aware that lots of people will say I AM BU because no child should ever drink anything except fresh water, preferably from your local stream.... But I'm extremely annoyed. These rules are ridiculous.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
NeverDropYourMooncup · 09/07/2023 19:41

Theunamedcat · 09/07/2023 19:39

It's Sunday what co-op is open at this time on a Sunday

The one round the corner from us is open until 10.30pm.

Kazzyhoward · 09/07/2023 19:42

The cashier is right - it's the law not to sell alcohol for children. Local authorities do spot checks/test purchases and if it turned out you were doing a council check, he'd probably lose his job and the shop fined.

EffortlesslyInelegant · 09/07/2023 19:42

uslop · 09/07/2023 19:17

@OhBling I agree that’s ridiculous! You could also get it somewhere else anyway?!

Show quote history
Hmm
Thegoodbadandugly · 09/07/2023 19:42

I would never encourage a child under 16 to drink a monster, they really are bad for you.

WalkingOnTheCracks · 09/07/2023 19:43

Theunamedcat · 09/07/2023 19:39

It's Sunday what co-op is open at this time on a Sunday

Three Co-ops within two miles of me close at 10pm on a Sunday.

Maverickess · 09/07/2023 19:43

Gpnever · 09/07/2023 18:59

Even though I wouldn’t give it to my child, I can’t see what authority the cashier had here, as it’s not illegal.

tbh I would be annoyed, it’s none of their business to tell you what you can and can’t do outside of stuff they legally cannot sell you

It's not about 'authority' the shop (as have many others) have put these rules in place to protect themselves and their employees against being blamed when they've sold something known to be a risk of harm to children, to a child and then that harm happens.

They choose not to sell a specific product to a specific age group, and that includes sales by proxy. The shop assistant is bound by their employer's policies.

Don't like it? Campaign for people to take responsibility for themselves when they fuck up instead of pointing the finger elsewhere - because that's why these rules exist.

uslop · 09/07/2023 19:44

EffortlesslyInelegant · 09/07/2023 19:42

Hmm
Show quote history

@EffortlesslyInelegant I didn’t say I would do that, just the the fact is it’s possible to. So makes the policy pretty pointless.

Willmafrockfit · 09/07/2023 19:44

would i want to buy wine for my child?
a double expresso?
a vape?

WalkingOnTheCracks · 09/07/2023 19:45

Theunamedcat · 09/07/2023 19:39

It's Sunday what co-op is open at this time on a Sunday

Where do you live? 1976?

Florenz · 09/07/2023 19:45

I agree with you OP, I was in the shop with DS8 and we agreed that he could have half a bottle of whisky for being so good that day but when we took it to the till, a snooping shop assistant grabbed the bottle out of my hand and said I couldn't buy it because I'd be giving it to my child. I told her it was none of her business, I was an adult and entitled to buy alcohol and if the shop didn't sell it to me they were BREAKING THE LAW.

The rules are ridiculous nowadays, you literally can't do anything.

Anyway, to really stick it to the Asda woman, I gave DS some paint thinner to drink instead. Don't worry I watered it down with Monster so it'd be a bit more palatable.

Mariposista · 09/07/2023 19:45

Thank heavens the shop assistant is responsible as the mother clearly isn’t

Meowandthen · 09/07/2023 19:45

GeorgiaGirl52 · 09/07/2023 19:33

These same drinks - Monster, Red Bull, etc. - are available without restrictions in the USA. Even in vending machines, accessible for everyone.
As far as the caffeine content, many parents of ADHD children who are anti-medication use hi-caffeine drinks as natural remedies. Before energy drinks appeared, I was advised by my DD's pediatrician to give the a cup of coffee with sugar every morning before school. The caffeine would overstimulate and cause the hyperactivity to slow down. If it worked, then the doctor recommended a coffee drink for lunch to keep the caffeine level up.
Yes, I understand that drinking 12 at once could land a child in the hospital. So could drinking 12 pints of water. Or 12 beers. Maybe at some point in time, let parents make decisions for their children.

So what? This is in the UK.

in parts of the USA you can buy and carry a gun at age 18. Doesn’t mean that’s a good idea either. 🙄

Hobnobswantshernameback · 09/07/2023 19:45

Nice work op

Krustykrabpizza · 09/07/2023 19:46

Theunamedcat · 09/07/2023 19:39

It's Sunday what co-op is open at this time on a Sunday

The one near me is 🤷

SecretVictoria · 09/07/2023 19:46

Kazzyhoward · 09/07/2023 19:42

The cashier is right - it's the law not to sell alcohol for children. Local authorities do spot checks/test purchases and if it turned out you were doing a council check, he'd probably lose his job and the shop fined.

OP wasn’t buying alcohol. There is no law whatsoever about energy drinks. As pp said, children can drink alcohol at home from 5 and can have beer, wine or cider in a restaurant with a meal when they are over 16.

I’m always amazed at the knots people tie themselves in shrieking about the evils of sugar, when artificial sweeteners are so utterly vile and no one knows what long term effects they have. Give me a Cawston Press any day!

VinoVeritas1 · 09/07/2023 19:46

Meh. Don’t believe you

Hobnobswantshernameback · 09/07/2023 19:46

More froth than a cheap cappuccino

Sirzy · 09/07/2023 19:46

GeorgiaGirl52 · 09/07/2023 19:33

These same drinks - Monster, Red Bull, etc. - are available without restrictions in the USA. Even in vending machines, accessible for everyone.
As far as the caffeine content, many parents of ADHD children who are anti-medication use hi-caffeine drinks as natural remedies. Before energy drinks appeared, I was advised by my DD's pediatrician to give the a cup of coffee with sugar every morning before school. The caffeine would overstimulate and cause the hyperactivity to slow down. If it worked, then the doctor recommended a coffee drink for lunch to keep the caffeine level up.
Yes, I understand that drinking 12 at once could land a child in the hospital. So could drinking 12 pints of water. Or 12 beers. Maybe at some point in time, let parents make decisions for their children.

I’m not sure parents wanting to refuse proven medication is a good argument to sell dangerous drinks to children!

Hibiscrubbed · 09/07/2023 19:46

If he’s seven, then it’s rank and shouldn’t be bought for kids. If he’s 15 then it’s still rank. But doesn’t seem so bad.

Just don’t buy them. They’re true poison.

Newnamenewname109870 · 09/07/2023 19:47

I mean they have more caffeine than coffee so really depends how old this kid is! It’s pretty bad op.

Newnamenewname109870 · 09/07/2023 19:47

Hibiscrubbed · 09/07/2023 19:46

If he’s seven, then it’s rank and shouldn’t be bought for kids. If he’s 15 then it’s still rank. But doesn’t seem so bad.

Just don’t buy them. They’re true poison.

They really are!!

bellac11 · 09/07/2023 19:47

Theunamedcat · 09/07/2023 19:39

It's Sunday what co-op is open at this time on a Sunday

8-8 on a Sunday here

Out of everything thats the thing you comment on?

gemstoneju · 09/07/2023 19:48

Our local leisure centre has Monster (amongst other drinks) in a vending machine which kids can access no problem, which has always struck me as a bit odd.

SapphireSeptember · 09/07/2023 19:49

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 09/07/2023 18:55

You are exactly the reason these rules need to exist because parents don't make sensible choices for their kids.....(unless ds is 17.5, 6ft5 & 15 stone or something)
Otoh - Sainsburys refused to sell me 6+ calpol because I was going to give it to someone under 16 - now that was ridiculous!!

What the hell? Umm, did they not understand the 6+ bit? Did you manage to get some Calpol eventually?

Stravaig · 09/07/2023 19:50

The rules are there to safeguard public health and so protect supermarkets from expensive lawsuits when a child inevitably dies due to crappy parenting harmful energy drinks.

The employee was, in that moment, doing a far better job of caring for your child than you were.