Spring Break
Fake ID necessary for decent nightlife in Dallas
Kelsey McKinney, Contributing Writer, kelseym@smu.edu
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: The Mix
Surprise, surprise, that's not really my idea of fun.
I noticed a big difference in nightlife while going out in College Station. The majority of bars are 18 and up, and they are strict on fake IDs. As an underage person I can legally go out with my boyfriend and other friends who are of age. The strict enforcement of identification laws prevents underage people from drinking illegally, while the lower age minimum is inclusive.
By doing the exact opposite - raising the age minimum to 21 and loosely enforcing identification laws, Dallas establishments are almost encouraging the use of fake IDs out of social starvation. This leads to even larger problems. If I get into a bar using my fake ID, then I can buy drinks. If I buy a drink, I am a minor in consumption and the bar is supplying me, a minor, with alcohol.
But this is Dallas, not College Station. If a bar doesn't exclude somebody, how can it be exclusive?
Exclusivity, or at least the appearance of it, is what's posh in Dallas. And the nightlife businesses in Dallas are willing to do what it takes to support that façade, as long as it brings the money - uh, I mean, people.
There are safer and legal ways to make a buck, especially with SMU, UTD, DBU, UNT, TCU and several other community colleges stationed in the Metroplex. I'm not the only youngster who has slightly older friends. Dallas bars should lower their age minimums to 18 and refuse to serve minors by not accepting fake IDs. They would create loyal customers by being more welcoming to the entire college crowd.
Being 21 will make life - nightlife - less of a hassle and definitely more worth my time and effort.
The social drought is nearly over, and I sure am thirsty.
I noticed a big difference in nightlife while going out in College Station. The majority of bars are 18 and up, and they are strict on fake IDs. As an underage person I can legally go out with my boyfriend and other friends who are of age. The strict enforcement of identification laws prevents underage people from drinking illegally, while the lower age minimum is inclusive.
By doing the exact opposite - raising the age minimum to 21 and loosely enforcing identification laws, Dallas establishments are almost encouraging the use of fake IDs out of social starvation. This leads to even larger problems. If I get into a bar using my fake ID, then I can buy drinks. If I buy a drink, I am a minor in consumption and the bar is supplying me, a minor, with alcohol.
But this is Dallas, not College Station. If a bar doesn't exclude somebody, how can it be exclusive?
Exclusivity, or at least the appearance of it, is what's posh in Dallas. And the nightlife businesses in Dallas are willing to do what it takes to support that façade, as long as it brings the money - uh, I mean, people.
There are safer and legal ways to make a buck, especially with SMU, UTD, DBU, UNT, TCU and several other community colleges stationed in the Metroplex. I'm not the only youngster who has slightly older friends. Dallas bars should lower their age minimums to 18 and refuse to serve minors by not accepting fake IDs. They would create loyal customers by being more welcoming to the entire college crowd.
Being 21 will make life - nightlife - less of a hassle and definitely more worth my time and effort.
The social drought is nearly over, and I sure am thirsty.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Matt
posted 4/26/07 @ 10:38 AM CST
How lovely that Ms. McKinney is willing to confess to multiple crimes in the student paper.
www.smu.edu/healthcenter/alcoholeducation/adp_fakeid.asp
Chris
posted 4/26/07 @ 3:23 PM CST
"Getting the fake ID was never about buying alcohol. It was about choices."
This is the most arrogant, ridiculous and idiotic statement in an 'article' filled with stupidity and selfishness. (Continued…)
Lance
posted 4/26/07 @ 10:22 PM CST
So, yeah, the article is incriminating. However, it's honest. That's pretty lovely too, especially for those who live and think beyond dictations of conduct handbooks. (Continued…)
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