ID required?

[andytaj]

Hi everyone.

My youngest asked me last night about ID when we are out and about for a drink in Icmeler.

He's 18 and his friend who is coming with us in September is also 18.

What's the situation regarding ID for getting a beer?

Is it wise to carry your passport around or will a UK driving licence be good enough?

Any help would be welcome

Thanks

Andy and Tracey

[ochlynda]

My daughter and her friends whose ages range between 18 and 22 have been going for the past 3 years and they have never been asked for ID. I think so long as they are responsible they shouldn't have a problem

Lynda

[andytaj]

Thanks ochlynda'

The only time we've been to Turkey before was 2 years ago in Kusadasi and that was all inclusive, so we only had the odd drink out of the hotel, so the boys were too young

The trouble is, my youngest is blessed/cursed with looking very young for his age, so I just wondered what he would need to provide if he had to prove he was 18.

I, however would be only too happy to be asked to provide proof of age, but not for a bus pass

[JonnyH]

You don't need ID as long as you're older than 15-16.

The Turkish aren't really bothered but obviously if you're under 15 then they've got morales and probably wouldn't allow you but I'm just under the age of 18 and I've never, ever had a problem.

They have no need to worry.

[bec]

Hiya

No tell them not to worry.
ive been going since i was 13 and never needed any ID in the past 11 years!!!
xx

[bill atkinson]

hi. don,t carry your passport around, no matter what you do ,its very silly doing this. if you lose it the trouble and bother you will have at the embassy ,police stations etc. is beyond belief !!!!!!! always record your p/p no. under a separate cover any way ,it will help you at the british embassy straight away,and get you home.also any where else if you have lost it ,you will have to pay for a interpreter. this information is based on experience, copy any info you may need and take it with you,but never let your P/p out of site. the drinking laws are more relaxed,if the younger people are moderate and sensible. enjoy bill atkinson

[dksbbs]

always record your p/p no. under a separate cover any way

Excellent tip from Bill, I have scanned all our passports, these are kept on a couple of friends computers so if we lose ours we can telephone the embassy/consulate that we require assistance and have the scanned images emailed to them while we are on our way, I know there is a consulate in Marmaris but from other resorts you may have to travel quite a distance to the nearest one.

I got the above tip from the travel planner at our company who keeps a copy of mine for when I am travelling on business.


Dave

[markbullock]

cant imagine them being asked unless there are really lucky to look very young , my 2 girls are 16 and never got asked last year,,,,

[andytaj]

Thanks folks.

We will take that advice regarding passports too.

Andy and Tracey

[sirkyboy]

always record your p/p no. under a separate cover any way

Excellent tip from Bill, I have scanned all our passports, these are kept on a couple of friends computers so if we lose ours we can telephone the embassy/consulate that we require assistance and have the scanned images emailed to them while we are on our way, I know there is a consulate in Marmaris but from other resorts you may have to travel quite a distance to the nearest one.

I got the above tip from the travel planner at our company who keeps a copy of mine for when I am travelling on business.


Dave

Good Idea, will be doing this in future.

[geovil]

Is it any wonder why we are having problems in the U.K. with under age drinking if this is the attitude when teens go abroad.

[JonnyH]

Is it any wonder why we are having problems in the U.K. with under age drinking if this is the attitude when teens go abroad.

I honestly don't think thats the case.

Holidays are times to relax and enjoy yourselves. Some parents are more laid back than others.

I know for a fact that my parents were laid back on holidays but not at home. Underage drinking is taken more seriously in our country because thats where it happens. The likes of Turkey and Spain don't have teenagers sitting on streetcorners drinking their cider or whatever.

[blondie]

I would agree with johnny - generally, other countries have a much more relaxed attitude to alcohol than we do, and children are often brought up to enjoy a glass of wine with a meal, for instance. You don't see nearly as much of the "going out and getting smashed off their heads" attitude abroad as you do here. I honestly don't think there's any harm in allowing teenagers to have the odd drink while they're on holiday. Forbidden fruit is always far more attractive to teenagers anyway - and we were all teenagers at one time!

[Samilou]

I would be surprised if they are asked for ID, I have been twice and never asked for it (whilst getting asked all the time back home) and my friend (who looks very young) has never been asked in the 13 years that she has been coming.

The attitude is simply more laid back and as long as the boys are sensible, they wont need to provide ID.

Have a great time =)

[jools]

Granted I am 23, but I am always asked for ID in the UK. I've never been asked in Turkey. The only thing I would say is that if they intend to go to the clubs, there are bouncers on the door who may ask, so be aware of this.

RE: underage drinking - Many European countries allow their youth to drink wine or beer with family meals, and they don't seem to have the same binge drinking problems that the UK does. Perhaps by making alcohol off limits, we are making it more tempting. Food for thought...

[madnesstiger]

In the same boat as Jools here, I've been to Icmeler since I was 24 (I think!), and am 27 now. I just can't imagine the bar staff in Turkey asking for ID. Although, as mentioned previously, alot of the time it is families eating out and is not a matter of buying form a bar (as in the UK) but from waiter service.

Ultimately, they seem to have it set up correctly, as it is very rare you see any alcohol-related trouble in the streets/bars.

[bill atkinson]

as i said in my post 2/4/09 above, if your under age or not ,handle it ,be sensible with it . locked up in turkey or any country abroad,must be a nightmare !!!!!!!!! a fine ,missing the plane home,etc and exspensive ..bill atkinson

[madnesstiger]

Following on from that...

Just try watching what happened to the fella in Midnight Express!

[juju]

The reason that you dont see groups of Turkish youngsters or older people binge drinking or otherwise is that the majority of Turks are Muslims and as such do not drink alcohol at all.In many areas of Turkey alcohol is banned altogether..Icmeler is a tourist area primarily.Although the law still is that alcohol is only for sale to 18 years and older.As for Spain I think that they have a similar binge drinking problem amongst their youngsters as we have.As has been previously said,be careful not to get on the wrong side of the law in Turkey,not a soft touch like our own country.

[madnesstiger]

be careful not to get on the wrong side of the law in Turkey,not a soft touch like our own country.

Totally agree with that one... one punch from a visitor last year on one of the waiters landed him with 400,00 GBP fine, 3 days in a cell, and banned from Turkey for 3 years... all over an argument over paying 40 quid for a family meal!

Not quite alcohol related, but a reminder not to mess with their cops!