why do people get angry/embarassed when asked for ID to prove age?

LOL yea I cant see myself getting pissed off over someone carding me...I think its funny really since I'm almost 40 yrs old for cryin out loud LOL

I get frustrated over it and I know I shouldn't. It's the law and a very good practice. I too am 26 but I get irritated for some reason....I guess I'm just too lazy to drag out my ID. I find now though if I walk in with my ID ready - I don't even get asked or if they do - I don't get as upset as I already have it out. I think here in PA - they are required to ask if you look 30 & under. Though 26 - I could pass for being 20 or so...so I understand the concept.

As I'm 30 now, I too find it flattering when I'm asked for ID (although occasionally a little inconvenient if I don't have my passport with me at the time), but when I was 18 through to my early 20s I used to get a bit miffed, as at that age you tend to still feel that people judge you as not being an adult. Of course, if I was 18 again now, it wouldn't bother me, as people drawing conclusions about others on the basis of how they look, is their problem, and puts them at a disadvantage, not the person they're making assumptions about. But at that age I (as probably many others) used to be a tad touchy when I thought people didn't treat me as a responsible adult. Ah, the follies of youth... It's daft to let other peoples' opinions bother you - life's too short.

Here in the UK I odn't think ID is asked for enough. Often underagers are knowingly let into clubs. I think here it can be quite offensive as bouncers (security) often ask for ID in the hope that the person will not have it on them because they are 30 or something and it means they can be refused entry. I have seen this used often and it means that they can't get in and there is no arguement against the decision.

I get angry and honestly I don't know why. I'm only twenty-two years old and I could probably pass for an 18 year old. I get carded all the time and it bothers me most of the time. The only explanation I can give is that, I assume the people that are carding me are saying in their heads that I'm not twenty-one yet and they know it. So they card me in hopes to make me look like an a** in front of other people. I know this is a warped way of thinking, but thats how I feel sometimes with the looks I receive from the people who card me. Maybe I'm just messed up in the head, who knows?

Its been a few years since someone asked me to show ID but the last time was when I shaved off my facial hair, I guess I still have a baby face smooth skin under all the gray hair, I would laugh if someone asked me for ID but I doubt I would be offended. Like you said its a complement, that makes you wonder if you shouldnt claim to be younger than you actually are..lol.

I personally think that it depends just how old you are when that question is put to you. When you're 18/19 there is a lot of peer pressure to look your age, and a feeling inside that you want people to know that you're now an adult and not a child, so it can be pretty embarrassing if you are suddenly asked for ID, because it suggests people think you are not an adult. I also think some people may get upset especially if they have always had youngish looks, I don't know say with guys who don't grow a beard or someone who is short. It sort of compounds the issue then when also asked for ID as well. However, having said that, we all then try and avoid aging when we reach a certain point and it's great to think people think you are younger than you are. Something sort of says we always want what we can't have. I always wanted to grow a beard. Now I have to shave everyday. I wish I didn't! Fickle really.

I don't understand this either. I mean the person asking for the id is only doing their job. I used to wait tables and people got snotty with me. I would tell them it's not worth losing my job just so they can have a drink. and if they don't like it, go some where else. If they 'forgot' it, that's their own fault and not mine.

I never got asked for ID when I was under age it wasn't until I was 21 in fact I ever got asked. I think the shop keeper was more embarrassed than me. Some shops have to ask at random anyway so it's not something you should take personally if it offends you.

I never got asked for ID was I was under age it wasn't until I was 21 I got asked. I think the shop keeper was more embarrassed than me, some shops have to ask at random anyway so if it offends you you shouldn't take it personally. I don't carry any ID being nearly 26 so I'd be very embarrassed if I got asked now.

Probably a hold over from when they weren't old enough.

I don't know, maybe it reminds them of when they were 16/17 (or even younger) and got caught with no/false ID trying to get into pubs & clubs? I'm 23, soon to be 24, and don't think i was ID'd since i was about 17! I guess now i'm reaching my mid-20's i wouldn't mind being ID'd the odd time, I take some ID with me when i go out just in case i do get ID'd, but i enver do.