Originally Posted by
Eastbay1K (Post # 37)
[ A]s a gentle reminder to the OP, different people of different ages require different distances in which to read the typeset on an ID. I'd much rather have a clerk handle the card than my entire wallet.
Near-field visual acuity, which may indeed vary with age, is the primary reason individuals require a wide variety of distances and angles to successfully read an identification (ID) card. There is no single distance one can hold a wallet that will enable the ID to be legible to all. Such a practice by a guest is replete with unwarranted optometric assumptions.
Originally Posted by
PTahCha (Post # 48)
Discuss the issue, not the poster is the montra [sic] and rule here on FT.
When I asked the FD clerk the reason behind my requirement to hand over the ID, and whether this is required, they did not have an answer, other repeating [sic] that I need to give them my ID. To me, standard ID validation, . . . , is part of enforcing a law to make sure that your name and/or age is verify. [sic] . . . If they have stated a rational explanation (key word being rational), that would have changed the situation.
And no, I did not refuse to show my ID, just refused to hand it them [sic]. In fact, I did hand over my credit card, . . . which they should have not asked for nor held on to it.
I pulled out my ID from my wallet and hold [sic] it up, and the FD supervisor stated that she can't read it. That's when I move the ID closer, apparently too close for her.
If they were to use . . . the UV lighting machine that TSA used to use, which is also used at many retail stores to verify US currency [ ], then at least they have a legitimate reason to do so.
My DL does not have a visible hologram - it is only visible under an UV light. The visible markings can ben [sic] seen through my wallet window.
There is absolutely no requirement that hotel front desk (FD) staff provide the reason for physically examining ID. None, whether personal optometric considerations or otherwise. To do so could be to assist and enable thieves to avoid detection in the future.
While a polite query to satisfy one's own curiosity or personal security and privacy concerns might be warranted, insisting upon or demanding "a reason" for handling one's ID is objectively unreasonable.
This thread should encourage us to say a prayer or mantra for everything that hotel FD personnel have to endure on a regular basis. 🙏
https://www.wordnik.com/words/mantra