This summer, we went to Russia, where we were driving across Kaliningrad Oblast and Pskov Oblast. In the museums and the zoo, where the price list promised student discounts, I produced my ISIC card and my fellow traveller – a vocational student’s card. Immediately, we were told that our looks undoubtedly gave our age away as the marks of grey were clearly visible.

We were laughed at. Ticket aunties looked out of their boxes in astonishment: “Students? Um… Are you joking?” One even offered us a pensioner discount.