When I go out with my wife and 14 year old kid, we get carded (called proofed in some parts) several times a year. I look ok for my age (48), but definitely don't look like I'm in my 20's, that's just silly. When I question their request, I usually hear “We have to card everyone”. I don't take this as a compliment, instead it pisses me off, like if I don't produce my ID then I can't get a drink? That’s ridiculous! Sometimes I tell them they can cut me in half and serve both. Generally, I show them my ID, look at them like they are an idiot and deduct considerably from their tip. Fess up girls, it's a power trip, right?
2007-03-03 05:59:51 · 13 answers · asked by Big Brother 3 in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
Well for starters, I was only addressing the females since they are the only ones that have carded me so you can go ahead and discount yourself.
2007-03-03 07:51:36 · update #1
I agree that if this practice is dictated by the management or owner then I don't take it out on the waitress. Along with the silly request to see an ID, it would probably behoove them to state that they're sorry but that are required to card everyone, that would be the smart thing to do.
2007-03-03 08:52:05 · update #2
I was a waitress/bartender for 9 years. I think if your 48 they really should not card you but they may do it just for the fact that that is how their restaurant is run. Some manager's say card everyone that looks under forty. It does get annoying but really it should not be taken out on the server because they are really just doing what they are told by their employer. Plus most of the time they do live on tips. 2.65 and hour does not go to far.
2007-03-03 08:40:20 · answer #1 · answered by lori k 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, it could just depend on the employer. Different restaurants and bars have different rules set on when to card people. One restaurant may require all servers to card anyone who looks under 30, another for anyone who looks 35 and under, or some higher. Some require to I.D. absolutely everyone, no matter how old you may look.
In my personal opinion I highly doubt it to be any kind of a power trip. One example is, I doubt you are the only table the waitress is currently serving, and while you are ordering your drink, she may notice from the corner of her eye, another table needing a refill. She has to take time to check your I.D. and put other things on hold. It is sometimes actually more annoying for servers than it is for the customers. I wouldn't take it personally at all. They are simply doing their job as they have been told to do it. And putting up with rude customers who make a fuss about showing proof of age, even when it is obvious you are of age, is rough. Smiling and being polite to people who are rude to you is never easy!! People should understand.
It isn't you. It is part of their job!!
I understand if you don't want to accept it as a compliment. I have been carded before and found it frustrating. Of course, I have ordered drinks before and not been carded, many times before I turned 21, just to see if they would bring me a drink.
I worked in one restaurant that ran for 25 years, and never sold to anyone underage. Then one day it happened. We were fined, and the waitress lost her job immediately. It was a big deal for us. We lost money and our good reputation. Consider if the restaurant has ever been busted before. The manager or owner then may make it policy to I.D. EVERYONE to make sure it doesn't happen again.
I commend these "girls" who are not taking shortcuts on their job, like so many people do! You should too!
2007-03-03 15:31:02 · answer #2 · answered by Des-n-Jes 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, for starters, waiters (not just waitresses) also card people who look clearly over 21.
Although I'm sure they don't appreciate the deduction from their tip, I think the waiters and waitresses prefer keeping their jobs to receiving a diminished tip from a customer.
Some places insist that everyone be carded if they order alcohol. It's cruel to assume that all wait staff card you because they are on a "power trip."
Serving alcohol to underaged patrons can land restaurants in heaps of trouble, so it is not uncommon for excessive policies to be enacted.
And just a side note... Your statement "Fess up girls" is rather offensive and makes you seem like an outrageous chauvinist. I highly doubt you care, given the overall tone of your note, but if you haven't already discounted what I've said because I'm female, that's just an FYI.
2007-03-03 07:45:52 · answer #3 · answered by Frigidaire 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
In Texas youre not even allowed to get a drink if you dont have an ID. You could be 80! Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) is notorious for busting people for outlandish reasons, i.e. being drunk in a bar. Trust me, the waiter or waitress would rather not card you, especially if the result is you looking at them like an idiot. Most times IDing everyone is enforced by management. I think reducing their tips is ridiculous and blaming someone for following state, store, management rules makes you look ridiculous.
2007-03-03 08:53:22 · answer #4 · answered by Ian 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't assume an automatic power trip. The visual rule is 'card anyone that looks under 30' but that can go as high as 35 or 40. I would assume a gun shy server, or a control freak in the sense that they don't want to risk being in trouble.
People can become waiters as young as 19 ... there's a lot of life experience they don't have at that point that will make it difficult to make those decisions.
If anything, i'd tip better ... you know you have someone that is doing their job right.
2007-03-03 06:16:22 · answer #5 · answered by beertendernick 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know that here in KY waiters and waitresses are required to ID anyone who appears to be 35 or younger. the thinking is that a few young people look allot older for their age and can pass for ages up to 35. some kids use this to get alcohol for their friends illegally. I would take it as a compliment. the waitress is saying you look 35. hey, she may even be hitting on you doc. (I have that problem all the time.... Uh my wife just hit me for that one.) some of our restaurants have begun carding EVERYONE that way there are no mistakes. and thus no chance for a lawsuit in this lawsuit crazy country of ours...
2007-03-03 07:20:25 · answer #6 · answered by Robert S 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
#1: it's the law;
#2: they are afraid that a person near the age of 21 but over it will sue for discrimination for them being carded and you not being carded;
#3: the wait person will be fired for going against company policy;
#4: the Alcohol Control Boards have sneaky ways of using "stooges" that look over 21 to order booze with the hopes of ruining that restaurant and canceling its liquor license, which, in some locales (California) can cost as much as $100,000 in a good location with great cashflow;
#5: be glad they think you look young - the alternative is that you look old.
2007-03-03 09:21:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where I work, if my manager finds out that I didn't card someone (even if they definatly look old enough) I can lose my job. It's not a power trip, it's just procedure. Now if i made you beg, or do a trick -THEN - that would be a power trip.
2007-03-03 10:21:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take it as a compliment and get over yourself. If you seriously deduct from the tip because of that, then you are just PATHETIC. Don't ever come into my restaurant.
2007-03-04 11:17:37 · answer #9 · answered by pickledgrapenuts 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
technically you are not to get served a drink if you do not have an id on you and they changed to rules for us that if anyone looks younger than 30 we are to card them so feel great if you get carded. we dont think you look 30 you sexy man you!!!
2007-03-04 10:51:02 · answer #10 · answered by dekitty1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋