Things That Don’t Have To Suck: An Etiquette Guide For Unnecessary Carding

So I got carded this weekend. But not where you would expect. Oh no. The bar I spent Saturday night at had absolutely no problem with me. Instead, I got carded at the movie theater when I tried to see an R-rated movie. According to the MPAA, a rating of R means that anyone under the age of 17 is required to be accompanied by an adult or guardian. Here’s the thing:

I’m 26.

Here’s what happened: My boyfriend and I went to see Paul last night. Usually, we’d just roll up to the handy little automated kiosks most cinemas these days have, pop in the credit card, and be on our merry way, but last night, the line was shorter going up to the actual counter– you know, the one with actual people behind it– so we headed in that direction. We got up to the front, asked the woman behind the counter for tickets for Paul, and got our wallets ready. But before the oddly bad-tempered woman handed us our tickets, she held them back for a moment. “ID,” she said tersely. Surprised, Boyfriend and I produced our licenses. She examined them. Then she gave a curt nod. “Okay.” We both remarked on how long it had been since we’d been carded at a movie theater– not meanly, simply by way of conversation– and she glared at us in response. “It’s an R-rated movie.”

I smiled and said, “Yeah, I’m actually 26.”

“Well, you look young!” she snapped.

Boyfriend and I glanced at each other and left the counter without another word. I mean, what the hell are you supposed to say to that? “I’m sorry for my genetics”?

Admittedly, yes, I’m short (I measure in at just over 5′). I have long since come to terms with this; in fact, I’ve even figured out how to make it work to my advantage. I’m pocket-sized, which most people find cute, so if I turn on the charm, most counter people and whatnot don’t mind dealing with me if my business is taking a little longer than they might otherwise like. But being short can be a real hassle, and not just when attempting to change light bulbs. Getting carded or otherwise assumed to be significantly younger than you are is a pain in the arse. Sometimes it’s just mildly annoying, but other times, it can be downright insulting (especially if the manner in which it’s handled resembles my ticket lady’s from the other night). To combat these issues, here’s a guide of Dos and Don’ts for instances of unnecessary carding, both for those being carded and those doing the carding:

If you’re the one being carded:

DO: Have your ID out and ready if you already know you’re likely to be carded.
I do this at restaurants a lot, especially when I’m out to dinner with my parents. It makes the waitstaff’s job easier– they can get to the actual ordering and stuff faster and with less fuss– and if you’re ordering a bottle of wine for the table, it quickly solves any “How many glasses?” conundrums.

DON’T: Get uppity about it.
If you’ve been carded at a bar, keep in mind that they’re just doing their job. If someone is trying to be nice to you, remember that… well, they’re trying to be nice to you. One time during my undegrad years when I was flying home for Thanksgiving, a well-meaning flight attendant concernedly asked me as I was settling into my seat, “Are you flying alone, sweetheart?” I smiled and said “Yes; I’m also 19, so don’t worry about me.” She laughed, apologized, and told me to have a good flight. If I HAD been 13 or 14 and nervous about flying alone, I would have appreciated the extra attention, so try to avoid penalizing people for trying to be nice.