How to look older?

Guest · Guest

I have the same problem and it has recently become much more frustrating. I have just started a new job as a 7th grade science teacher. I am 24, yet look about the same age as my 12 and 13 year old students. Respect from students is only a small part of the issue, more importantly though, respect from parents and my own peers. A day does not go by that someone doesn't point out to me about how young I look. Even at family functions, such as one wedding that my husband and I went to, people can't seem to get over it. One distant relative raged on and on about how there was absolutely no way that I could possibly married and said that I must be lying - and he was 100% serious. I'm married, about to turn 25 in a month, have a BS in meteorlogy, am almost finished my masters in education, and teach 7th grade, yet am still not considered an adult by others. I guess their opinions shouldn't matter, but it is incredibly frustrating. I've tried changing my hair, and clothes, and makeup, but nothing works. I'm extremely confident in talking to others, but this still drives me crazy. Any other ideas of what to try??

Guest · Guest

Heh, the last time I had somebody tell me that was at a restaurant. The waitress who said it got a quarter for a tip and a nasty note saying "that's what you get for insulting me." I will NEVER be grateful for my looks. I hate how I look anyway, and the last thing I need is somebody reminding me of it.

transpirman · Newbie Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 1

Hi everybody,

I've got the same problem : I am almost 33 and working as ICT project manager. At first look people think I am just 24-25 and just graduated. It is then with my attitude and experience that i got finally more respect and credibility.

It is not new but it gets me more and more annoyed by the way people seems to be surprised and keep on repeating "Nooo Waaayyy, i don't believe you !"

Obviously we are all on this foum looking for tricks and nobody have got answer yet.
Anyway maybe something someime useful is to exagerate the age diference: I say to these people :"Ok you're right ... I am actually 17 !" and make them understand this topic is not worth 10 minutes discussion !

But back to the subject. Do you think something else than clothes may make the difference ? what about hairs ? skin or other things on seen on the face ?

Good luck to all of you

Guest · Guest

I have that problem too. I am 21 and people thinks i'm 13 or 14. I feel disrespect sometimes by people especially at work because of my young look. And what makes it worse is because I have a tiny ..slim body. I actually think that my appearence was one of the reason why I loss my previous job.

Guest · Guest

I'm glad I found this and it gives me a little comfort knowing I'm not the only one. I'm an 18 year old male who often gets told that I look between 13 - 16. I can't begin to explain how frustrating this is... and when I try to explain people often come up with that annoying "oooh you'll be glad when you're older" line. I hate that. People don't understand how embarrassing it is to have people constantly comment on how young you look. I'm sick of it because people tend to treat you like a child, people disbelieve you & pretty much call you a liar. It's got to the point where I have little self confidence about most things lads my age do, going out clubbing, meeting girls my own age, buying stuff for 18+, meeting new people and even driving. I was in Australia one time when a distant relative was chatting to me for a good hour before he asked how school was... I told him I left school 2 years ago and he then asked the dreaded "how old are you" question, to which I truthfully replied... and he told me he thought I was about 14 or 15, and that he couldn't believe it. He wouldn't shut up about it, asking everybody at the BBQ f they agreed, to which one or two did, and then further annoyed me by offering me an alcoholic drink, as if he wouldn't of approved before. It really has cut my confidence allot because when people treat you like a child you begin to feel like one. It's got to the point where when strangers ask me my age, I just lie and tell them 16 (the age what I get told allot) because I can't be arsed with the whole deal of them making an issue out of it.

And the worst thing is when you get asked out by girls who are around 14-15 Embarassed

Guest · Guest

I absolutely know how all of you feel. I am a petite 30 yr old woman who is constantly told that she looks between 10 and 13 years of age.
This is extremely frustrating as my articulate manner of speech and confident demeanour does nothing to combat these horrible comments.
The other comments I get are 'you're soooo tiny' and 'Aw! aren't you cute!' as a 30 yr old woman I find these comments extrmely patronizing and offensive.
What is wrong with these people? Why can't they see that their comments are extremely innapropriate? What REALLY angers me is when a person asks my age and AFTER I tell them insist on saying 'OH I thought you were about twelve!'
I work at a hospital and have to deal with lowest common denominator types on a daily basis and have recently taking to saying 'and how does that concern you?' whenever anybody asks my age, because I know that this is just a precursor to an insult and why should I have to deal with this socially acceptable form of verbal abuse?

I hate that people think its ok to make rude remarks about me and then pass it off as a 'compliment.'

GRRR! Rant over.

Nia

Guest · Guest

was on here looking for one myself. I just made a career switch and feel my looks cause people to discount my intelligence and capability. I have been hearing a lot of people tell me how young I look and have wanted to literally punch them. I try to laugh it off, but it is not funny... so i understand the feelings of all of the other respondents. I am considering going to a short haircut. But i dont feel like i should have to cut my hair just to look older... we'll see.

jones10021 · Newbie Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

It's also about teh way you dress. More sophisticated clothing can make you look more mature. try shopping in the misses section and not juniors. Avoid bright color, large prints, or clothes that sparkle. Clothes should go together with the hair and make up.

How to look older?

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