First off, let me start off by saying I am a forty two year old woman.
Now, earlier today, I was trying to purchase alcohol with my father.
At the time, my father was way off in the other part of the store, so nobody would know that we were actually together.
When I got up to the cashier with the alcohol, he (the clerk) asked to see my I.D.
WHAT??? I am in my mid forties for Pete's sake! I don't care who you are, but NOBODY in their MID FORTIES can be mistaken for a twenty year old!
Quickly, my father rushed up and he was outraged! He forbade me from showing my ID because he thought it was very suspicious... that maybe the clerk just wanted to see my ADDRESS. 'Cause unless you are brain dead, there is no way in hell anybody could confuse me with a twenty year old. Jeez, I'll be the first one to admit that I look my age.
We said "Forget it" and got the alcohol somewhere else.
The clerk seemed to be shocked when he realized that I was with a man.
So my question is, do you all think it was right for us to leave without showing the I.D.?

So my question is, do you all think it was right for us to leave without showing the I.D.?

No. I agree that it is annoying and doesn't seem to make sense, but a lot of times, it's simply policy. At the end of the day, it's not that big of a deal to show someone your ID. I'm pretty confident that they weren't just trying to see your address.

It seemed quite odd as I have not been proofed/carded in twenty years. Sorry, it seems suspicious to me.

I'm carded when I buy alcohol as well and I'm 29.

Depending on State/store policy they have to card everyone. Most of the chain stores around here in NYC, such as Walgreens, PathMark, Whole Foods... card everyone who buys alcohol/tobacco products.

I've never been carded in a liquor store, just at the chain stores.

I'm carded when I buy alcohol as well and I'm 29.

Depending on State/store policy they have to card everyone. Most of the chain stores around here in NYC, such as Walgreens, PathMark, Whole Foods... card everyone who buys alcohol/tobacco products.

I've never been carded in a liquor store, just at the chain stores.
You are only 29, so that's very understandable. I am forty two. I look like I am forty two, so it seems VERY odd to me, especially since this was the first time in about twenty years that I have been proofed/carded.

You are only 29, so that's very understandable. I am forty two. I look like I am forty two, so it seems VERY odd to me, especially since this was the first time in about twenty years that I have been proofed/carded.

As James said, depending on the location, they have to card everyone. I've seen people in their fifties and sixties being asked for ID.

As James said, depending on the location, they have to card everyone. I've seen people in their fifties and sixties being asked for ID.
That is insane, tacky and insulting.
There is no way that anyone with half a brain could confuse a 40, 50 or 60 year old with a 20 year old.
Just tacky.

Where I work at it is store policy to card anyone if they look 40 or younger. So no it doesn't sound that strange that you would get carded. I doubt the clerk was shocked that you were with a man. He was probably just shocked to your reaction when he asked for ID. If I asked someone for ID and their reaction was to be outraged and then storm off, well I would be shocked too.

I've never bought alcohol. I'm 36. I don't like or drink alcohol.

I think some stores as others have mentioned, it's a policy to ask to see a person's ID regardless of their age.

There are stores that ask for your ID if you buy Tylenol (seriously) so I can just imagine if someone bought alcohol they would be carded as well.

I used to work in a convenience store were cigarettes were sold. The company policy was to card everyone who was purchasing cigarettes. This way no one feels singled out. And also no underage purchasers slip through the cracks. the punishment for selling tobacco to a minor is quite severe and I expect the same applies alcohol. So from the retailers point of view it's better safe than sorry!

It's just procedure. The laws are so strict about selling liquor and cigarettes to underage people, that I guess if a clerk sees a person who isn't obviously old it doesn't hurt to ask to see ID! Better safe than sorry of losing your job or getting the business in serious trouble. If the clerk was new and not used to the job yet even more so.

I wouldn't be insulted, I would actually take it as a compliment! I haven't been carded in a while, hey I wish somebody would think I was that young! LOL!! I'd show them my ID and tell them they need glasses though!! LOL!!!

Where I work at it is store policy to card anyone if they look 40 or younger. So no it doesn't sound that strange that you would get carded. I doubt the clerk was shocked that you were with a man. He was probably just shocked to your reaction when he asked for ID. If I asked someone for ID and their reaction was to be outraged and then storm off, well I would be shocked too.
I'm not the one who had any reaction. I was actually about to show him my ID. It's my father who had the reaction and insisted that we go somewhere else to buy the alcohol.
Everyone here is saying it's just procedure, then how come the place right down the block didn't ask for my ID??? :confused:

Everyone here is saying it's just procedure, then how come the place right down the block didn't ask for my ID??? :confused:

It is the procedure of each individual establishment. Some management will request to see the ID of everyone, some will not. I can understand why your father might have been taken aback by it, but the cashier was just doing what their specific management requests of them.

The police often conduct stings on places that sell alcohol & cigarettes in our town and about a third of the stores get big fines for selling to the under-age. So now most places ask for your ID no matter what. It's not a big deal, I'm more surprised when they don't ask. lol!

I was carded the day before Thanksgiving when I went to buy wine. It doesn't happen often but when it does, i'm usually flattered that they think I look that young. I'm not going to get upset at them for doing their job.

I am 40...and look a lot younger than that and always get carded...and have to admit I love it...it makes my day and after it happens I am giddy for the whole rest of the day....:D

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