Question about IDs for alcohol...

I believe that an establishment, whether a restaurant or grocery store, can serve products and services to whomever they choose.

I know in Virginia there is some law that states that you can drink on the day before your official 21st at a restaurant or something like that. But, most restaurants don't let you do that so there is nothing you can do. They have the choice of who they serve.

I imagine it is the same for the grocery store. Even if you are in the "right" and the law states you don't have to card people who are also with the person purchasing alcohol, an establishment might just be deciding to protect itself to a further extent.

I remember about 5 years ago I visited my friend in Cali for her 21st birthday and we went to 7-11 to grab us a few 40's (I was super underage at the time.. 18) and it was still 10 minutes from midnight of March 13 and the clerk made us WAIT until midnight to ring her up.

Needless to say, I felt like that was overkill.

I don't mind getting carded myself, but when you ask all people in the party, I think that's SUPER lame.

Yeah, the laws are really fuzzy and stupid. A few weeks ago I was in the liquor store, and I saw a guy who looked like he was in his mid-20's, and he had a younger guy with him who was probably 14-15 years old. They wouldn't sell him beer because the 14-15 year old wasn't of age, even though the older guy had his ID. He was like, "he's my little brother, the beer is for my dad and I for our cookout." The clerk didn't care.

Then I see a mother probably in her mid-40's who is with her clearly underage son, she's buys a case of wine, and the clerk didn't even bat an eye. WTF???

Yeah, the laws are really fuzzy and stupid. A few weeks ago I was in the liquor store, and I saw a guy who looked like he was in his mid-20's, and he had a younger guy with him who was probably 14-15 years old. They wouldn't sell him beer because the 14-15 year old wasn't of age, even though the older guy had his ID. He was like, "he's my little brother, the beer is for my dad and I for our cookout." The clerk didn't care.

Then I see a mother probably in her mid-40's who is with her clearly underage son, she's buys a case of wine, and the clerk didn't even bat an eye. WTF???

That's weird because the liquor store sold booze to me the night BEFORE I officially turned 21. Overall, the liquor store seems to be the most lenient.

Yeah, the laws are really fuzzy and stupid. A few weeks ago I was in the liquor store, and I saw a guy who looked like he was in his mid-20's, and he had a younger guy with him who was probably 14-15 years old. They wouldn't sell him beer because the 14-15 year old wasn't of age, even though the older guy had his ID. He was like, "he's my little brother, the beer is for my dad and I for our cookout." The clerk didn't care.

Then I see a mother probably in her mid-40's who is with her clearly underage son, she's buys a case of wine, and the clerk didn't even bat an eye. WTF???

Its another case of women getting leniency. The clerk obviously thought that the dude with his little brother was gonna pour alcohol down down his little brothers throat. Whereas the woman, who is clearly a wino judging by all the wine she's buying, would never give her underage son a sip of wine she's gonna keep it all for herself.

Open and shut case Johnson. Women - 1. Men - 0

That's weird because the liquor store sold booze to me the night BEFORE I officially turned 21. Overall, the liquor store seems to be the most lenient.

it's VA law after court case to sell day before

Yeah, the laws are really fuzzy and stupid. A few weeks ago I was in the liquor store, and I saw a guy who looked like he was in his mid-20's, and he had a younger guy with him who was probably 14-15 years old. They wouldn't sell him beer because the 14-15 year old wasn't of age, even though the older guy had his ID. He was like, "he's my little brother, the beer is for my dad and I for our cookout." The clerk didn't care.

Then I see a mother probably in her mid-40's who is with her clearly underage son, she's buys a case of wine, and the clerk didn't even bat an eye. WTF???
exact same scenario happened to me with lol bro getting stuff for BBQ.. in VA it's not law.. there are actually somfe interesting nuances I'll get into when I'm on the computer instead of phone

Sometimes this country can be so childish. In Europe and Asia no one gives a shit if you drink or how old you are when you chose to do it. It's no big deal. Over here it's a big deal, thus kids want the forbidden fruit, and binge when they do get it.

List of alcohol laws of the United States by state - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alcohol_laws_of_the_United_States_by_state )

State of Delaware states that no person under 21 can even go into a liquor store.

I would imagine any ID'ing of individuals in an establishment beyond the person purchasing is set by the establishment themselves. Just covering their asses.

List of alcohol laws of the United States by state - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alcohol_laws_of_the_United_States_by_state )

State of Delaware states that no person under 21 can even go into a liquor store.

I would imagine any ID'ing of individuals in an establishment beyond the person purchasing is set by the establishment themselves. Just covering their asses.

I can see that, but why even have a policy to card both parties when it's so easily gotten around? It just makes a giant hassle for everyone involved. Often, my wife doesn't even bring her purse in to stores. We just know we have to at Kroger because they're being giant d-bags.

It's a hassle yes, but they are covering their asses. And being in a college town, I would imagine they get underage drinkers by the bus full in there all the time with of-age adults buying them booze. If they keep their liquor license because they card everyone in line, then you still have the option of buying your 30 of Keystone Light when you get groceries. If they get busted, you'll have to make a 2nd stop, like the rest of us schleps here in Maryland (well, certain counties anyways).