Is this a law????? (grocery store vent)

[vivilasvegas]

My boyfriend and I were at the store today, and along with other things, I was buying a bottle of wine. He was in line with me, but I was paying, my money, my purchases, my ID. He left his wallet in the car. So when the clerk cards me for the wine, she asked for his ID. I asked why, and she said that it's the law that anyone standing in line with someone purchasing liquor has to also show ID even if they aren't buying it. So I asked, what if I was with a child? She said that's okay then. Huh??? How does that make sense, if I'm with my 18 year old son, I can buy liquor, but with my 32 year old boyfriend, I can't buy it unless he shows ID.

Soooo we had to get out of line and he had to go get his wallet.

I have NEVER had this happen before.

Is this new??

 

[CathrynRose]

My boyfriend and I were at the store today, and along with other things, I was buying a bottle of wine. He was in line with me, but I was paying, my money, my purchases, my ID. He left his wallet in the car. So when the clerk cards me for the wine, she asked for his ID. I asked why, and she said that it's the law that anyone standing in line with someone purchasing liquor has to also show ID even if they aren't buying it. So I asked, what if I was with a child? She said that's okay then. Huh??? How does that make sense, if I'm with my 18 year old son, I can buy liquor, but with my 32 year old boyfriend, I can't buy it unless he shows ID.

Soooo we had to get out of line and he had to go get his wallet.

I have NEVER had this happen before.

Is this new??

Ive had that happen before too, and it ticked me off. And I thought the same thing - I can buy it with my 14 y/o or 10 y/o son, but not with my 38 y/o boyfriend??? WTH??

I dont know if it's a law - Jimmy didnt even have his wallet on him, and she wouldnt sell it to us - and we left.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we cant sell liquor or cigerettes without an id no exceptions

 

[vivilasvegas]

we cant sell liquor or cigerettes without an id no exceptions

Do you mean from the person buying, or from all of the people standing with the person buying???

I knew that I'd have to show it since I was buying.

 

[rt2dz]

It's a law here. Minors aren't allowed in liquior stores and if you aren't with a child in other places that sell liquior, ID is required. At restruarants, you have to card everyone at the table.

Are these laws always followed? Usually not. But, if any type of law enforcement was at the table, the person selling the alcohol could get jail time and a huge ($500+) ticket and the establishment (store, restuarant could also be fine and multiple fines means loss of liquior license). Could be the store/clerk has been caught lately.

Just wanted to add, parents can legally serve their children, that is why it isn't questioned. Although, many restraurants have individual policies against it. BTW--Everyone 30 (not 21) and under is supposed to be carded.

 

[vivilasvegas]

It's a law here. Minors aren't allowed in liquior stores and if you aren't with a child in other places that sell liquior, ID is required. At restruarants, you have to card everyone at the table.

Are these laws always followed? Usually not. But, if any type of law enforcement was at the table, the person selling the alcohol could get jail time and a huge ($500+) ticket and the establishment (store, restuarant could also be fine and multiple fines means loss of liquior license). Could be the store/clerk has been caught lately.

Just wanted to add, parents can legally serve their children, that is why it isn't questioned. Although, many restraurants have individual policies against it. BTW--Everyone 30 (not 21) and under is supposed to be carded.

So when they card everyone at the restaurant because grandpa wants a glass of wine with dinner, and someone at the table is not 21, they don't serve grandpa???

Makes no sense....

 

[madalynns mom]

I went to the store with my very pregnant friend ( like 8 months!) to get a 6 pack for myself. I was the one buying but they still carded her. Pregnant and all! It was too funny

 

[vivilasvegas]

So say they carded my boyfriend and he wasn't 21 (which would open a whole other can of worms ), they wouldn't sell to me even if I had my ID and am 32? But if the person with me that wasn't 21 was my son, then they would sell to me? or my younger brother?

 

[KimR]

That has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Furthermore all you'd have to do to get around it would be for the under-21-year-old to not go through the line with the person buying the liquor.

And the restaurant thing I've never heard of! I'm glad it's not a law here, we're going out to dinner tonight with our family and DH and I plan to have some wine. I can't imagine not being served in a restaurant because I with someone underage So stupid!

 

[KimR]

So say they carded my boyfriend and he wasn't 21 (which would open a whole other can of worms ), they wouldn't sell to me even if I had my ID and am 32? But if the person with me that wasn't 21 was my son, then they would sell to me? or my younger brother?

And how are you supposed to even prove something like that??!! The whole thing makes absolutely no sense!

 

[rt2dz]

So when they card everyone at the restaurant because grandpa wants a glass of wine with dinner, and someone at the table is not 21, they don't serve grandpa???

Makes no sense....

No... When you have your child (or grandchild) they do not have to be 21. Too frequently, friends, even those with high age descrepencies, will order the drink and the minor will be the one actually drinking it. When I used to wait tables & manage restaurants, we saw it exteremly often. Most restaurants did. Or the over 21 would be purchasing alcohol for the minor present. It happens so frequently, that is why the state made the law. That's why many states have that law.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Well, they certainly don't do that in Georgia. That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard!

 

[vivilasvegas]

No... When you have your child (or grandchild) they do not have to be 21. Too frequently, friends, even those with high age descrepencies, will order the drink and the minor will be the one actually drinking it. When I used to wait tables & manage restaurants, we saw it exteremly often. Most restaurants did. Or the over 21 would be purchasing alcohol for the minor present. It happens so frequently, that is why the state made the law. That's why many states have that law.

My point is what if the underage person is 19? And a family friend, not a child? Would they not serve me? Would I have to say "this is my child"?

 

[KimR]

No... When you have your child (or grandchild) they do not have to be 21. Too frequently, friends, even those with high age descrepencies, will order the drink and the minor will be the one actually drinking it. When I used to wait tables & manage restaurants, we saw it exteremly often. Most restaurants did. Or the over 21 would be purchasing alcohol for the minor present. It happens so frequently, that is why the state made the law. That's why many states have that law.

So when DDs friends come out to dinner with us, the restaurant technically is not supposed to serve us?

 

[justhat]

No... When you have your child (or grandchild) they do not have to be 21. Too frequently, friends, even those with high age descrepencies, will order the drink and the minor will be the one actually drinking it. When I used to wait tables & manage restaurants, we saw it exteremly often. Most restaurants did. Or the over 21 would be purchasing alcohol for the minor present. It happens so frequently, that is why the state made the law. That's why many states have that law.

But how do you know that the under 21 person with grandpa is his kid or grandkid? How do you know it's not grandpa's friend's kid, so no relation?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Do you mean from the person buying, or from all of the people standing with the person buying???

I knew that I'd have to show it since I was buying.

if there are 2 adults together and one doesnt have ID we will use the other adults

 

[U2_rocks]

Unreal! Sorry, but these laws make no sense! There are too many ways around them, and they are just plain cumbersome to those who innocently find themselves in that sort of position (i.e they have no intent to give the liquor to a minor!).

 

[rt2dz]

So when DDs friends come out to dinner with us, the restaurant technically is not supposed to serve us?

No... The restuarant may choose not to serve you if you are serving your DD. It's also very dependent on child's age. Younger kids don't really cause concern. It's when the kids are older, but not 21. More like the 17-20 year range. /further explanation after the next quotes.

My point is what if the underage person is 19? And a family friend, not a child? Would they not serve me? Would I have to say "this is my child"?

But how do you know that the under 21 person with grandpa is his kid or grandkid? How do you know it's not grandpa's friend's kid, so no relation?

It's really a judgement call in these situations. As a server, you can observe what is going on and tell the dynamics. A child over 16 will generally have ID if needed to prove relationship. The server can always defer to the manager to make the final decision. If the wrong judgement is made, it is a hefty price to pay--I've seen it.

And, hey, I didn't make the law or necessarily support it. I just know it as an ex-server, ex-restaurant manager, ex-restaurant consultant, & still occasional event planner. You guys asked, so I answered.

 

[LoveWDW]

My husband and I, who have adult children, so obviously we are not under 21, were carded at a restaurant a year or so ago. It was stupid. and annoying. We haven't been back because we felt the experience at the restaurant was...stupid and annoying.

 

[Nancy]

In New York it is not a state law, the state only requires 21 and over.

My store has a 100 % proofing policy, that is corporate policy for all our NY State stores...you wanna know why? LAWSUITS!

Sell to a 22 yr old with a minor, they get in a car wreck, receipt in the car from our store, minor was drinking...wham, parents sue because we sold to a minor (even though it was sold to the friend).

100 % proofing means just that we proof EVERYONE purchasing beer or wine coolers (no wine or liquor sold in grocery stores) That means if you are 80 and buying alcohol you have to show ID in my store. If a group is in line together than everyone must show ID. We are very close to a college so we take this part very seriously. BUT, we do have the option to NOT proof all members of a party, it is a judgement call. So if you are in a line and are obviously over 30 (thats my personal guidline) and only 1 has ID, managers do have the option to let the sale go through, cashiers do not have the option, they have to get managers involved. Judgement call again with parents and kids, we have to assume that kids are theirs and they will not be serving the the beer.

Do I like the policy? Sometimes...but I do feel really stupid asking a senior citizen for ID, but as long as it is our companies policy (and if I don't follow policy I could lose my job) than I will follow it and as a lower level manager I will also enforce it.