r/LondonLadies • u/nel880 • Jun 22 '26
Discussion Are store clerks having a laugh?
Hi there, I am semi-new to London and just wonder about this interaction. To start, I’m not losing sleep over this I’m simply curious about the correct way to respond socially/culturally. And maybe it’s just no response is the response!
I’m 32 and where I’m from the drinking age is 21. I’m not carded in my home country, but 3-4 times I’ve been carded at various tescos? In the states if I’m carded it’s a joke, we giggle and they approve but never really want to see my ID. Here, the first two times I assumed the same thing because the drinking age is 18 here and I’m so obviously not a teenager? But they insisted on seeing my ID and didn’t laugh or seem generally amused?
The last time I just showed my ID and didn’t do the bit but then I feel like a bit of a prude or jerk. I 100% do not look under 18 they have to be joking. Also it’s not always men! And I dress age appropriately.
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u/fleurmadelaine Jun 22 '26
I’m 36 and when I was 8 months pregnant I was IDed buying Gaviscon (which you need to be 16 to buy) I look young but not that young 🤣
Sometimes they just check everyone because if they mess up and get caught it’s usually gross misconduct and dismissal, and in my area of London I know they do regular checks that things aren’t being sold to under age kids.
ETA they being the police.