They do this because the risk is very assymetrical. If someone is >18 and they ask for ID, no big deal. If someone is too young and they don't ask for ID, they

They do this because the risk is very assymetrical. If someone is >18 and they ask for ID, no big deal. If someone is too young and they don't ask for ID, they risk a huge fine, criminal prosecution and possible loss of their license. So they instruct their staff to "think 25" to minimise the possibility of the latter. It's understandable. I'm 30 and I still get asked for ID occasionally, and you know what? I don't care - because I've been on the other side. I've worked in those shitty low-paying jobs where you often have to ask people for ID and I've seen how rude, pissy and entitled people can be when you make them suffer the enormous inconvenience of flashing their ID so I can avoid the risk of getting fined thousands of pounds and fired. If you think it's such an indignity to be asked to prove you're above 18 then I suggest you spend more time working in service jobs.