Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to still book our DS (16) as a 15 year old at a Premier Inn?

545 replies

VioletOrange · 02/08/2023 09:49

I’m probably going to get a flaming for this but here goes.

We only have DS, he can’t stay in a PI by himself until he’s 18. If we booked him in as an adult, as he’s classed as one now he’s 16, we’d have to pay for another room. So for now, while we can still just about get away with it, we book him in as a child stating he’s 15.

In one PI where we’ve stayed many times over the years, a couple of the regular staff are aware but they’re ok with this. He doesn’t get up for breakfast so doesn’t benefit from the ‘kids eat free’ deal.

AIBU to carry on doing this for as long as we can get away with it? Not that he’ll likely still want to come away with us in the next few years.

My personal opinion is that on the one hand they class 18+ as adults but want to charge a 16 year old adult prices.

OP posts:
Newbutoldfather · 04/08/2023 12:14

And the speed limit is not really enforced. Most police are happy to see a high end car cruise past them at 85MPH on a clear day, if not too much traffic on the motorway.

Original poster
VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 13:03

Zoda8 · 04/08/2023 11:30

I feel like there is an interesting philosophical question lurking beneath the OP’s question, which has faded into the background as people argue ‘this is the same as this’ ‘no it isn’t’. I think the field is called ‘ethics’. One of the problems of ethics is called ‘The is/ought problem’. Logic alone can’t carry you from any ‘is’ statement to any ‘ought’ statement. So you have to start from agreed ground rules. One rule that has been relied on here is ‘never tell a lie’. Most people would acknowledge there may be exceptions to this. If a hitman asks you ‘is your husband in?’ you are not morally obliged to say ‘he’s just popped upstairs for a wee’. If your wife says ‘Do I look alright?’ you don’t have to say ‘you’d probably look better without that angry pimple on your nose’. So telling a lie is not of itself always wrong. Clicking ‘15’ as a child’s age when they are 16 feels worse because it is a deception aimed at securing a financial benefit. One ground rule here that people might rely on is ‘don’t break the law’. It is against the law to obtain services by deception. Again, this is not an absolute rule. It was against the law to hide Anne Frank. It was against the law for a person with mental health issues to come out of their tiny London flat and sit in the middle of an empty field during COVID unless they were doing buttock clenches, because otherwise they were not doing exercise. This seems worse because there is at least the possibility that Premier Inn will somehow lose money as a result of a lie on their online booking system. An employee of Premier Inn has posted on this thread that they do not care if children are over 15. Other posters have stated they have been encouraged to bypass/ignore the rule by Premier Inn employees. There is no indication from the booking in process, checks or the complete absence of any enforcement that the management of Premier Inn or even their beloved shareholders care. When I used the word ‘technically’ I used it in this sense - a rule whose maker has no apparent interest in securing compliance. This is not the same as shoplifting - all shops are desperate to stop shoplifting, it’s just very hard for them to control. Premier Inn could fairly easily tighten up on children in rooms if they actually cared about it.
I think it unhelpful to suggest that every breach of the law is the same as every other breach of the law. Stealing property and money from churches, hotels and shops involves appropriation of goods, which is not the same as avoiding incurring an additional fee for a sleeping child.
I think this question boils down to a value judgement for each parent. Is it more important to follow the rules and the law, even if never enforced, because generally speaking that makes for a better working society, or is it more important to save money for your family?
I don’t think the mention of shoplifting is a complete red herring in this debate, though. In the current food crisis there are more Jean ValJeans in need of bread than ever, and no doubt they are each faced with choices about what to do, so perhaps we should be slower to judge Each person until we know the circumstances.

Show quote history

Great post!

OP posts:
Zoda8 · 04/08/2023 13:35

Newbutoldfather · 04/08/2023 12:13

@Zoda8 ,

That is a really interesting post.

Interested in what you think about (relatively mild) motorway speeding. This gains a time benefit for the speeder and is, to me, a victimless crime, as there is little evidence that someone driving at 85MPH in a high spec modern car in good visibility is any more likely to cause an accident than someone travelling at 70MPH.

But MN is very judgmental about speeding.

Thank you new but old father : )

Apologies to others for going off topic to respond to your question.

My views in general on speeding have evolved courtesy of a few speeding awareness courses over the years. Nowadays I definitely try not to creep over 30 or 20 (and go into 3rd/2nd gear to remind me).

On my most recent speeding course I raised that I found random 50 signs on an empty stretch of motorway annoying, but found out that there are real time control rooms who might be responding to reports such as furniture lying in the road. This made me realise that as the motorist we don’t necessarily know everything. I used to do 100 on the empty M6 stretch before Carlisle, but now I won’t do 71. In fairness my previous job put me under unmanageable time pressure and my current job puts me under no time pressure (in relation to driving). I agree, on the face of it 85 on a clear stretch of motorway seems safe. I guess my approach now is I don’t know everything, for instance what would be the impact for all road users if everyone started doing that, and sometimes it makes life simpler to let someone else determine the rules and just follow them. Also in the event of any accident, it may be comforting to know that you weren’t breaking the law.

Triflefan · 04/08/2023 14:09

I sometimes buy a ready meal for 2 and eek it out between 3

SamW98 · 04/08/2023 14:14

When DS was little we used to go to Toby Carvery sometimes. The chef always used to let him have Turkey and a sausage (though was supposed to be either or). Then one time he was away and the duty chef told my son it was one of the other. My DS then aged about 4 was a bit gutted so when the guy went into kitchen to get refills, I punched a sausage which my son actually found hilarious

Incredibly neither hun or I have become master criminals since that day

Original poster
VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 14:56

SamW98 · 04/08/2023 14:14

When DS was little we used to go to Toby Carvery sometimes. The chef always used to let him have Turkey and a sausage (though was supposed to be either or). Then one time he was away and the duty chef told my son it was one of the other. My DS then aged about 4 was a bit gutted so when the guy went into kitchen to get refills, I punched a sausage which my son actually found hilarious

Incredibly neither hun or I have become master criminals since that day

I know you meant pinched but the fact that your typo changed it to ‘punched a sausage’ really made me chuckle! 🤣

The great sausage scandal! 😆🤭

OP posts:
SamW98 · 04/08/2023 15:38

VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 14:56

I know you meant pinched but the fact that your typo changed it to ‘punched a sausage’ really made me chuckle! 🤣

The great sausage scandal! 😆🤭

Show quote history

Damn predictive text 🤣🤣🤣

Bunnyasmyname · 04/08/2023 16:34

Wondering if any shoplifters who justified massive profits for their actions have read about Wilkos today? Probably 12,000 jobs will go.

They also made over £100million profit less than 4 years ago, so presumably were fair game for dishonest customers also.

BlastedIce · 04/08/2023 16:43

Bunnyasmyname · 04/08/2023 16:34

Wondering if any shoplifters who justified massive profits for their actions have read about Wilkos today? Probably 12,000 jobs will go.

They also made over £100million profit less than 4 years ago, so presumably were fair game for dishonest customers also.

you think shoplifters are to blame, you really are a fan of the fat cats aren’t you!

I think you’ll find it’s too many big stores in expensive locations that’s caused the issue!

Not a theft of a jelly strawberry from the pick and mix!

this is highlighting your ridiculous attitude that it’s all down to petty dishonesty that shows/PI will fail.

You are reaching so far, you may need to go to Wikos to buy a step ladder!

BlastedIce · 04/08/2023 16:45

BlastedIce · 04/08/2023 16:43

you think shoplifters are to blame, you really are a fan of the fat cats aren’t you!

I think you’ll find it’s too many big stores in expensive locations that’s caused the issue!

Not a theft of a jelly strawberry from the pick and mix!

this is highlighting your ridiculous attitude that it’s all down to petty dishonesty that shows/PI will fail.

You are reaching so far, you may need to go to Wikos to buy a step ladder!

Show quote history

*shops not shows

SamW98 · 04/08/2023 16:49

BlastedIce · 04/08/2023 16:43

you think shoplifters are to blame, you really are a fan of the fat cats aren’t you!

I think you’ll find it’s too many big stores in expensive locations that’s caused the issue!

Not a theft of a jelly strawberry from the pick and mix!

this is highlighting your ridiculous attitude that it’s all down to petty dishonesty that shows/PI will fail.

You are reaching so far, you may need to go to Wikos to buy a step ladder!

Show quote history

I think lockdown also changed peoples shopping habits and more people buy online now than previously so any retail outlet without an online presence has struggled over the last few years.

There’s nothing you can buy in Wilko that can’t be delivered by Amazon

Bunnyasmyname · 04/08/2023 16:59

No, I never said theft was to blame, merely pointing out that the reasons many of you, including yourself, gave to justify your behaviour as morally acceptable were absolute rubbish.

Appears to be a case of stealing from one profitable company is ok, but not another as long as you decide which one it is.

Either way I don’t care. I’m far from a fat cat. I work at Wilkos, and more than likely about to lose my job. Which also similar to PI pays little, has shit management and a lot of staff who don’t care.
None of which makes me steal though.

You lot carry on - I have other things to worry about.

BlastedIce · 04/08/2023 17:00

SamW98 · 04/08/2023 16:49

I think lockdown also changed peoples shopping habits and more people buy online now than previously so any retail outlet without an online presence has struggled over the last few years.

There’s nothing you can buy in Wilko that can’t be delivered by Amazon

Show quote history

Stop with your total rational explanation! It’s deffo the people who are adding more sweets after they’ve weighed their pick n mix!

They’ve lost 12000 people their jobs, who in turn will be poorer and they then will be saying that their 16 year olds are 15 and then that will put PI out of business! We are all doomed.

Zoda8 · 04/08/2023 17:01

VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 14:56

I know you meant pinched but the fact that your typo changed it to ‘punched a sausage’ really made me chuckle! 🤣

The great sausage scandal! 😆🤭

Show quote history

I might be a bit autistic - I just thought Sam punched a sausage in Toby Carvery!

BlastedIce · 04/08/2023 17:02

Bunnyasmyname · 04/08/2023 16:59

No, I never said theft was to blame, merely pointing out that the reasons many of you, including yourself, gave to justify your behaviour as morally acceptable were absolute rubbish.

Appears to be a case of stealing from one profitable company is ok, but not another as long as you decide which one it is.

Either way I don’t care. I’m far from a fat cat. I work at Wilkos, and more than likely about to lose my job. Which also similar to PI pays little, has shit management and a lot of staff who don’t care.
None of which makes me steal though.

You lot carry on - I have other things to worry about.

So why have you posted about wilkos on this thread, what’s the connection then?

What a totally bizarre thing to post, I think you were trying to say it was related and now you’ve back tracked because you made your self look very silly!

Original poster
VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 17:07

Zoda8 · 04/08/2023 17:01

I might be a bit autistic - I just thought Sam punched a sausage in Toby Carvery!

Show quote history

She meant to type that she’d in fact pinched a sausage to pop onto her DS’s plate 😆no sausages were harmed 🤣

OP posts:
SamW98 · 04/08/2023 17:08

VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 17:07

She meant to type that she’d in fact pinched a sausage to pop onto her DS’s plate 😆no sausages were harmed 🤣

Show quote history

No sausage we’re harmed but it’ll be down to me if Toby Carvery goes under apparently 🤣

Original poster
VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 17:15

SamW98 · 04/08/2023 17:08

No sausage we’re harmed but it’ll be down to me if Toby Carvery goes under apparently 🤣

Show quote history

🤣 in that case you carry on punching as many sausages as you like! They’re made of tough stuff!

OP posts:
BlastedIce · 04/08/2023 17:21

SamW98 · 04/08/2023 17:08

No sausage we’re harmed but it’ll be down to me if Toby Carvery goes under apparently 🤣

Show quote history

Honestly I bet that chef is now giving away whole turkeys! It starts with an extra sausage and escalates ….

EhrlicheFrau · 04/08/2023 17:48

@Bunnyasmyname I'm sorry to hear about your job situation and hope you are able to find something else better soon (or by some magic Wilko is saved and conditions improve). We don't have a Wilko near us, but did use it when we were in a location which had one, and my mum definitely would use it over Amazon!

fullbloom87 · 04/08/2023 17:49

Didn't even know this is a thing. Been away with my mum and sister as adults plenty of times and never been an issue. Yanbu

Zoda8 · 04/08/2023 18:11

VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 17:07

She meant to type that she’d in fact pinched a sausage to pop onto her DS’s plate 😆no sausages were harmed 🤣

Show quote history

It has been a punchy discussion. I’m glad people could meat half way.

Original poster
VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 18:15

Bunnyasmyname · 04/08/2023 16:34

Wondering if any shoplifters who justified massive profits for their actions have read about Wilkos today? Probably 12,000 jobs will go.

They also made over £100million profit less than 4 years ago, so presumably were fair game for dishonest customers also.

Totally separate thread required for this.

If you do in fact work for Wilko’s then I’m sorry if you worry for your future right now but please don’t compare this to booking a 16 year old as a (in the LAW’S eyes) a child of 15, come on!

Let’s in fact look into the facts of why Wilkos might be closing, on a different thread. Competition maybe?

OP posts:
Original poster
VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 18:16

Zoda8 · 04/08/2023 18:11

It has been a punchy discussion. I’m glad people could meat half way.

Show quote history

Badabing! You win with this comment! 😆

OP posts:
Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 04/08/2023 18:20

Seeline · 02/08/2023 09:53

I've booked 3 adults in a room at PI for uni move ins etc without any issues. You just book a triple room (if they have one).

Yes, this, and for uni open days when prospective student is still 16 or 17, so not even legally an adult

Swipe left for the next trending thread