Under-Aged Drinking is Legal Under the 'Right' Circumstances

Several years ago when I started working at a local convenience store I had to attend a special class so that I could obtain a liquor license -not the same as one who owns the establishment, but one who works a the establishment and sells alcohol for the owner. We went over the laws of who is and who is not legal to buy alcoholic beverages, and even which ones could be sold when. Did you know that wine coolers are classified as hard liquor? I didn't then.

We weren't allowed to sell to those who were already showing signs of being inebriated or we could be charged if they got into an accident. It's the same law that says bartenders aren't allowed to serve those they know are drunk or they are liable for any trouble they get into as much as the drunk. I turned down more than one person for coming in already under the influence-to much swearing on the part of the would-be customer. Luckily my boss was on my side.

However there was one law that absolutely flabbergasted me. It said that in a restaurant or bar situation where minors are not allowed under normal circumstances to even enter (or order in the case of an alcohol serving restaurant) if they are accompanied by a parent (or a spouse over 21 if they are under age) can drink alcoholic beverages at the discretion of the restaurant/bar policies. Most of them here don't care who it is as long as they get paid. They aren't going to turn down serving a minor if their parent(s) order it for them. Now I am the first to say that parents are already overly regulated. They can't use any sort of useful discipline to steer their children in the right direction to becoming responsible, productive adults or be charged with some sort of abuse, but this is definitely a case of 'if they aren't going to use common sense then someone has to.'