This has been covered slightly but looking for more opinions. I'll be turning 21 during my SA stint, but wont be for the first couple weeks. I have a good fake ID (a real one that looks like me), so when is it ok to use this? From most responses, it looks ok to use when out with the group or other SA/analysts but not when at an event with HR. Can anyone provide more insight on when it is ok/not ok to use it?
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dude I would not use it because sometimes that shit can be sketchy since it is illegal. just go and drink because they probably will not card you if it is a work event anyways.
From what I've seen, HR makes it a point to know which SAs are and are not 21. I've seen them call kids out who were trying to drink at intern events, even those who were turning 21 the following week. Don't be a dumbass and risk drinking in front of HR.
As far as going out with other analysts goes, you're probably fine using a fake ID. Although you'll look like an idiot if your ID doesn't pass (can be much more difficult in NY). My advice is to just wait until you're of age. Afterall, it's only a few weeks.
If you don't mind, I would like to follow up with a different question. I kind of have the opposite problem because I don't drink. Not for religious reasons or something like that, I just never have and prefer not to. How do I politely decline when offered alcohol? I have had a couple of weird situations in the past when people look at me strangley or make some stupid joke. I usually just smile (yeah, haha, how funny...) and get something else to drink. This really hasn't happened much in the US, but definitely a couple of times in Europe. Any advice?
Gini - I really wouldn't think twice about your situation. From everything I've seen, the best response is simply "No, thanks." If pressured, take it a step further w/ "No really, I prefer not to drink."
I know quite a few kids (some mormon, some not) who've worried about the same thing. Once you're working, it's not like frat parties where you're trying hard to avoid the 30 meathead drunks forcing everyone to drink (although the analyst bullpen can get pretty fratty now that I think about it.) But seriously though, I don't forsee the situation even coming up.
If you're really worried about it, just sip on a diet coke for the evening. Having something in your hand keeps others from offering you a drink, which is really the only way you drinking will come up b/c no one pays attention to you ordering your drink at the bar.
Fuck Europe!
People will respect you for holding to your guns and adhering to your own beliefs. As long as you have a good reason and can confidently explain to others why you don't drink (such as: "Drinking hasn't ever appealed to me") then you'll be fine. People might tease you about it but in reality they respect you for it.
To the OP... this is a rather simple question. Wait until you are legal... Beyond the dishonesty of using a "fake" ID, it isn't worth potentially slandering yourself by being the kid that is caught by HR or anyone else. You have one shot at making this internship worth while. Don't mess it up with something that is completely avoidable.
i dont drink. never have never will.
however, i am offered drinks all the time but simply politely refuse. like most people that would refuse, i am given a wierd look and asked why, and i simply respond honestly, which is that it has never appealed to me and also the fact that it has represented a lot of bad things for me throughout my life.
what monkeyman said is true, they may not take it well or seem awkward about it at first, but in the end most people respect the fact that i do not need alcohol in a social setting and also being able to stand my ground for what i believe is right for me.
this is not to say that people who drink in social settings are desperate or dumb. i think alcohol, like most things are absolutely fine, in moderation. its when people take it overboard that i, along with most people, have a problem.
to the OP, dont be stupid, wait. its totally not worth it, ESPECIALLY, if its just a month or whatever away.
just get a glass of coke and if anyone asks, just say its a rum and coke. no one will know.
OTherwise, hold onto one bottle of beer for the whole night.
Thanks a lot for everyone's input on this. I usually just politely refuse and that's fine, but there have been these couple of odd situations throughout my life that have made me fell a bit akward. I am excited about this summer, so this is certainly just a minor issue, but thanks for all your comments.
To dabears13, I would seriously wait until you are 21. At one of my previous internships (which wasn't in banking, but still) a guy was drinking who was underage and he got fired for it. I think that was pretty harsh, but in any case, you wouldn't want to risk it.
Fired?? Was he working at the time?
Either you sling crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot
I meant he was fired from the internship. I guess "fired" wasn't the right word to use....but they didn't let him finish his internship...after only two weeks into the summer.
That's still pretty harsh
Either you sling crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot
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