Well, because the world seems stupider than ever...

[LifeCarnie]

Meh?
I had to check into a student hotel two years ago,
when I went to see The Sisters of Mercy play in another city some 400km away.
I was 16, no one had any objections...

The US is weird.

The 18 y.o. requirement is an an insurance thing. By student hotel, I assume you mean a hostel, which is completely different from a corporate hotel chain and their financial liability.

[Estil]

Just out of curiousity, was his friend a guy or a girl?

[Pixagi]

No, not necessarily a bad mother, but she should have at least made sure that it wouldn't be an issue or gone and checked him in herself and then leave once he was settled in. That's what I would do if I had a 16 year old if I knew he/she was responsible enough to stay in a hotel with a friend for a night or two. But, yeah, she does sound damned annoying.

[smileyeagle1021]

Meh?

The US is weird.

You have no idea...
I can't speak for all the states, but I live in a state where there are only 3 ways to purchase liquor, you can purchase it from a state run store, you can go to a bar where you must be a member (most memberships are around $5), or you can order at a restaurant only if you have ordered food first. Schools aren't allowed to do raffles here either... it's too similar to gambling. Gay marriage is prohibited, yet there are parts (southern Utah) that still practice polygamy (granted, it is not legally recognized). We have a wal-mart that closes. Oh and we have the dirtiest air in the country during the winter, yet people violently oppose new transit lines. The state next to us on the other hand, anything goes, gambling is legal, prostitution is legal (in 4 counties), liquor can be purchased almost anywhere at anytime, and damn i'm glad that wendover is only a 2 hour drive away.

sorry for the off topic rant.