‘I Look Too Young’ – Woman Banned From Buying Alcohol Despite Being 30
30-year-old refused alcohol for ‘looking too young’

A 30-year-old woman was left stunned after being denied alcohol at a supermarket because staff insisted she looked too young to be of legal drinking age.

The shopper, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed her valid ID was rejected by a cashier who suspected it was fake. She described the incident as ‘humiliating’ and ‘ridiculous’.

‘I’m 30, Not 18!’

‘I handed over my driver’s licence, but the cashier just stared at me and said, ‘This can’t be real,’’ the woman explained. ‘I was so embarrassed—other customers were staring.’

Supermarkets in the UK operate a strict ‘Challenge 25’ policy, meaning staff must request ID from anyone who appears under 25. However, this case has raised questions about how discretion is applied.

Public Reaction

Social media users were divided. Some sympathised, saying: ‘It’s flattering but frustrating,’ while others argued: ‘Better safe than sorry—fake IDs are a real problem.’

Retail experts suggest staff should be trained to handle such situations more sensitively to avoid customer distress.

What’s Next?

The woman has since lodged a complaint with the store, demanding better staff training. Meanwhile, the supermarket has apologised but defended its policy, stating that preventing underage sales remains a priority.