I just turned 21 years old; aren't you going to card me?
NICOLE LENMAN
Issue date: 2/22/10 Section: Opinion
I turned twenty-one a couple of weeks ago and couldn't wait to shove my ID in the face of the first person who asked for it. "May I see your ID ma'am?" "Why yes you may." It's a moment everyone waits for since they are old enough to know the significance of that magical number. It's a time for no longer crossing your fingers, hoping, praying, and wishing no one would card you. It seems, however, that when you finally do turn twenty-one, it is written all over your face.
After my birthday I have taken full advantage of being able to have a glass of wine with dinner. Whether or not I wanted to pay the $8.50 per glass of Chardonnay, I ordered it with confidence, waiting smugly for that infamous question, with my hand readily reaching for my driver's license. But to my dismay, they didn't ask. It's as if they knew, like they had a list with everyone's face and age. Why is this happening? I WANT you to ask for my ID. I don't care if you already know, let me relish in the moment! I've waited too long for this for you not to doubt me.
It truly is funny how things change. How one day you are trying to contrive some ridiculous lie as to why you don't have your ID on you and the next you are begging the bartender to ask for it. It's rather perplexing. It's as if they enjoy completely ripping your heart out. On the other hand, perhaps they do mean well. Maybe it is just their way of saying 'Happy Birthday!' I suppose when they finally do start asking for my ID again, I will be just as annoyed to have to pull it out. I mean do I really not look twenty-one?
So why is this so commonly the case? Is it the level of confidence you hold knowing you can get away with it? Since you're now not looking around the room trying not to make eye contact and realizing at any moment you could be turned down? Or is it simply because twenty-one is stamped right in the center of your forehead? No matter the reason, it sure feels good to be twenty-one.
After my birthday I have taken full advantage of being able to have a glass of wine with dinner. Whether or not I wanted to pay the $8.50 per glass of Chardonnay, I ordered it with confidence, waiting smugly for that infamous question, with my hand readily reaching for my driver's license. But to my dismay, they didn't ask. It's as if they knew, like they had a list with everyone's face and age. Why is this happening? I WANT you to ask for my ID. I don't care if you already know, let me relish in the moment! I've waited too long for this for you not to doubt me.
It truly is funny how things change. How one day you are trying to contrive some ridiculous lie as to why you don't have your ID on you and the next you are begging the bartender to ask for it. It's rather perplexing. It's as if they enjoy completely ripping your heart out. On the other hand, perhaps they do mean well. Maybe it is just their way of saying 'Happy Birthday!' I suppose when they finally do start asking for my ID again, I will be just as annoyed to have to pull it out. I mean do I really not look twenty-one?
So why is this so commonly the case? Is it the level of confidence you hold knowing you can get away with it? Since you're now not looking around the room trying not to make eye contact and realizing at any moment you could be turned down? Or is it simply because twenty-one is stamped right in the center of your forehead? No matter the reason, it sure feels good to be twenty-one.
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