As a young teacher I have many issues with age. How do you get the pupils to respect someone only a few years older than them? How do you talk to fellow colleagues without getting nervous because you're talking to an adult? It doesnt help being ID-ied in supermarkets.

I was purchasing my weekly shop at the checkout of a well known chain.

'Have you got ID asked the checkout lady?'

My initial reaction was one of confusion as I wasn't buying any alcohol. 'What for?!' I blurted out. Has egg mayonaise sandwich filler suddenly become unavailable to under 17s because of fears over high levels of cholesterol among Britain's youth?

She held up my Team America DVD: 'We have to ID anyone who looks under 21'.

A few things to note:
1. Team America is a 15, even if I look under 21, how could I possibly be 14? Does this mean that I'll get ID-ied for any film that isn't a U? If I tried to buy the latest Harry Potter DVD would I have to produce ID in spite of pointing at Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson and screaming 'But I'm much older than they are!'?

2. I was buying the Times Educational Supplement, which 14 year old in their right mind would want to read the TES?

3. I was using a sodding Nectar Card (whoops, giveaway).

The best part about it was handing over my driving licence and the cashier spending a few minutes checking my date of birth (Think about it).

This might explain why half the girls in my year 8 class fancy me. They probably think I'm only a year older than them so reckon they have half a chance.

Being ID-ied for alcohol is one thing, but when it's for a film which I was old enough to buy seven years ago it's plain insulting. I'm just glad I don't live in my school's catchment area and any of my pupils were there to see it.