How do you spot a minor these days?

I’m honestly not sure where this thread belongs, so I’ll just drop it here.
So, I work at a local bar and I’ve run into a serious issue. How on earth are you supposed to tell who is actually a minor and who isn't these days? I'm asking because I had a situation where a girl came up to me who looked, quite frankly, to be about 26 or 27. Naturally, I sold her alcohol and cigarettes. Then, as I was passing by her table a little later, I overheard her saying she was only 16!

This stuff is getting out of hand...
I'm genuinely worried about getting into legal trouble over this.
A friend of mine dealing with the exact same thing works at a 7-Eleven...

It’s honestly such a struggle these days because of how kids—especially girls—are dressing and acting. It feels like they’re skipping their entire childhood just to jump straight from diapers to being grown women (even if mentally, it's a whole different story). There aren't any set rules here; anyone can make a mistake, and I'm sure your bosses 🙂
know that too.

casualmoose27 said:I’m honestly not sure where this thread belongs, so I’ll just drop it here.
So, I work at a local bar and I’ve run into a serious issue. How on earth are you supposed to tell who is actually a minor and who isn't these days? I'm asking because I had a situation where a girl came up to me who looked, quite frankly, to be about 26 or 27. Naturally, I sold her alcohol and cigarettes. Then, as I was passing by her table a little later, I overheard her saying she was only 16!

This stuff is getting out of hand...
I'm genuinely worried about getting into legal trouble over this.
A friend of mine dealing with the exact same thing works at a 7-Eleven...

Look, it isn't like they have their age tattooed right on their forehead, right?

If the owner of the establishment isn't particularly concerned about getting reported or slapped with fines, then there isn't much you can personally do—aside from perhaps insisting on seeing a driver's license.

What does the owner say about all this (other than the fact that profit is always the priority)?

Linda Morris61 said:Look, it isn't like they have their age tattooed right on their forehead, right?

If the owner of the establishment isn't particularly concerned about getting reported or slapped with fines, then there isn't much you can personally do—aside from perhaps insisting on seeing a driver's license.

What does the owner say about all this (other than the fact that profit is always the priority)?

They didn't give me a straight answer, just told me I need to watch out for it. I didn't ask for her ID because she honestly looked older...

casualmoose27 said:I’m honestly not sure where this thread belongs, so I’ll just drop it here.
So, I work at a local bar and I’ve run into a serious issue. How on earth are you supposed to tell who is actually a minor and who isn't these days? I'm asking because I had a situation where a girl came up to me who looked, quite frankly, to be about 26 or 27. Naturally, I sold her alcohol and cigarettes. Then, as I was passing by her table a little later, I overheard her saying she was only 16!

This stuff is getting out of hand...
I'm genuinely worried about getting into legal trouble over this.
A friend of mine dealing with the exact same thing works at a 7-Eleven...

Just ask for an ID from anyone who doesn't have those two lines between their nose and mouth. 😁
Those usually show up around 25.

There are way too many sixteen-year-olds out there who look like they're in their twenties or thirties.

I honestly don't get why everyone is so obsessed with looking older and trying to force this "mature" aesthetic these days.

boldhawk14 said:I honestly don't get why everyone is so obsessed with looking older and trying to force this "mature" aesthetic these days.

It’s not a modern thing. It’s always been this way. We just have a more massive cosmetic industry now...

casualmoose27 said:I’m honestly not sure where this thread belongs, so I’ll just drop it here.
So, I work at a local bar and I’ve run into a serious issue. How on earth are you supposed to tell who is actually a minor and who isn't these days? I'm asking because I had a situation where a girl came up to me who looked, quite frankly, to be about 26 or 27. Naturally, I sold her alcohol and cigarettes. Then, as I was passing by her table a little later, I overheard her saying she was only 16!

This stuff is getting out of hand...
I'm genuinely worried about getting into legal trouble over this.
A friend of mine dealing with the exact same thing works at a 7-Eleven...

You have to ask for ID! There's really no other way...

crimsongull20 said:It’s not a modern thing. It’s always been this way. We just have a more massive cosmetic industry now...

And what you said there too...

It’s impossible to tell without seeing an ID. I’m actually still under 18, though most people assume I'm closer to 25.

* 0-13 - child
* 14-17 - older minor
* 18-20 - young adult
* 21+ - adult

I suppose the parents are primarily at fault here; if a sixteen-year-old looks like they're twenty-six because of how they dress and wear makeup, there's a lack of guidance.
On another note, I'm not sure if this was for a night out, but why would a sixteen-year-old be working late shifts at a bar or cafe anyway?
I don't know, but in my opinion, it feels far too early.