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
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
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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.
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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.
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An old post, but I want to add to it..
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about it.
People mean well with the advice on dressing, hair, etc, but it wont help, trust me Ive been there.
If it gets to you, look up some jokes on the internet so you're prepared the next time it happens. I like the person who said "you're right Im 17" if people persist on not believing you.
Another thing to remember is people who do this are not bright, seriously.
People get their stereotypes from tv and movies where 30 year olds are cast to play 23 yr olds. Remember 90210? The actors were in their 20s playing high school kids.
Most people know any given person is older or younger than they look. It's only a select few (idiots) that think they know everything. I know its easy to just focus on all the times it happens, but all the times it doesnt happen will always out-weigh.
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about it.
People mean well with the advice on dressing, hair, etc, but it wont help, trust me Ive been there.
If it gets to you, look up some jokes on the internet so you're prepared the next time it happens. I like the person who said "you're right Im 17" if people persist on not believing you.
Another thing to remember is people who do this are not bright, seriously.
People get their stereotypes from tv and movies where 30 year olds are cast to play 23 yr olds. Remember 90210? The actors were in their 20s playing high school kids.
Most people know any given person is older or younger than they look. It's only a select few (idiots) that think they know everything. I know its easy to just focus on all the times it happens, but all the times it doesnt happen will always out-weigh.
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Thank you for mentioning how RIDICULOUS this is! I HATE that I look so much younger than I actually am! If I could justify it, I would go on one of those "completely change the way you look" makeover shows and make myself look pretty. Looking "cute" is basically career suicide when you're going to be a lawyer. I've now retaliated by either saying "yes I know how I look, that's why I hate my appearance, so you can shut up an stop reminding me of how ugly I am," or "ok, well you could certainly lose a few pounds and you'd look much more attractive." So all of you who say "you'll enjoy it when you're older" SHUT UP! I'm not 50 yet so I don't WANT to look younger!
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I COMPLETELY understand how all of you feel! I am 19 years old right now, but I probably look more like 12-15, depending on the day. It's annoying because I have ALWAYS looked young for my age, and people have ALWAYS been shocked to find out how old I am. (I was astounded when I stopped getting the kids' menu at restaurants, at the age of 15).
Also, the simple way people talk to me constantly reminds me that I look young for my age. The other day a dentist called me "kiddo" --- at a wisdom teeth consultation! You would think the dentist would have understood I was older than I looked by the simple fact that I had wisdom teeth, but apparently not!
Also, being young for my age makes it VERY hard to get guys to notice me. I mean, maybe 13 year old guys do, but most of the guys at my college certainly don't.
Okay, done with my rant now. I needed it. :-)
Also, the simple way people talk to me constantly reminds me that I look young for my age. The other day a dentist called me "kiddo" --- at a wisdom teeth consultation! You would think the dentist would have understood I was older than I looked by the simple fact that I had wisdom teeth, but apparently not!
Also, being young for my age makes it VERY hard to get guys to notice me. I mean, maybe 13 year old guys do, but most of the guys at my college certainly don't.
Okay, done with my rant now. I needed it. :-)
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I'm so glad I found this forum! I'm 19 and everything is fine when I'm back on campus because everyone just assumes that you are in the college age bracket. I'm kind of dreading being a senior in a few years, though, and having to explain my age to everyone.
The moment I get back to the "real world" off my college campus, it's as though people JUMP at the opportunity to remind me that I look young. I'm an outgoing, friendly person, and I'm extremely articulate. If I ACTED like a child, perhaps you could resort to insulting me, but until the time when I begin acting any less than my age, could you refrain from the demeaning questions? I HATE THAT "Ohhhhh, I thought you were ____ years old!" that everyone has been talking about. Is that really a necessary question?
I can't wait for the day a beauty serum commercial advertises something to make us all look OLDER!
The moment I get back to the "real world" off my college campus, it's as though people JUMP at the opportunity to remind me that I look young. I'm an outgoing, friendly person, and I'm extremely articulate. If I ACTED like a child, perhaps you could resort to insulting me, but until the time when I begin acting any less than my age, could you refrain from the demeaning questions? I HATE THAT "Ohhhhh, I thought you were ____ years old!" that everyone has been talking about. Is that really a necessary question?
I can't wait for the day a beauty serum commercial advertises something to make us all look OLDER!
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I'm 19 but after being told I look 15 for the once too many a time, I needed to know that other people share my pain. It's so relieving to know that I'm not the only person that gets this on a daily basis.
I have tried, be it in vain, to look older but nothing seems to work, so I have resigned myself to the fact that I'm, at least for the mean time, going to have to deal with the incessant questioning of my age, the shock and the disbelief smacked across peoples faces.
I also must agree with a fellow guest on this forum, that I do not understand how others seem to feel it's helpful telling me that when I'm older I'll be glad I look younger. To put it simply I want to look older now so that I may treated with the same respect that others my age receive.
. . . . Also . . . . Amen to that beauty serum, as soon as its available it's mine.
I have tried, be it in vain, to look older but nothing seems to work, so I have resigned myself to the fact that I'm, at least for the mean time, going to have to deal with the incessant questioning of my age, the shock and the disbelief smacked across peoples faces.
I also must agree with a fellow guest on this forum, that I do not understand how others seem to feel it's helpful telling me that when I'm older I'll be glad I look younger. To put it simply I want to look older now so that I may treated with the same respect that others my age receive.
. . . . Also . . . . Amen to that beauty serum, as soon as its available it's mine.
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I've got a similar problem. I'm 27 male, and now and then get asked for ID when buying cigarettes or going to a club. People I meet always ask me if I'm still in school, etc. And yes, it can get annoying at times.
You can always change your dressing, hairstyle, try to change your speech, behaviour, etc but it still wont work because you cant change your youthful appearance. You just wont end up being yourself.
Heres two ways to approach it the next time someone says you look really young:
1. Exaggerate your age even more or just have fun with it. Tell them you're 15 and just really bright for your age.
2. If he/she sounds patronizing and keeps going at it, turn the tables and start commenting on how old the person looks.
You can always change your dressing, hairstyle, try to change your speech, behaviour, etc but it still wont work because you cant change your youthful appearance. You just wont end up being yourself.
Heres two ways to approach it the next time someone says you look really young:
1. Exaggerate your age even more or just have fun with it. Tell them you're 15 and just really bright for your age.
2. If he/she sounds patronizing and keeps going at it, turn the tables and start commenting on how old the person looks.
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I'm a 20 year old male, but I look about 15. Maybe because I am underweight, or can't grow a beard yet, or even because I have chubby cheeks. But it is annoying becasue I don't feel like I fit in with the people my age. I feel sort of like I can't get into a club where everyone my age is hanging out.
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Hi, I'm glad I ran across this site. I was googling how to look older and found this instead. Make up, clothes, hair help a little bit but genetics overrule all of that. I find it very hurtful and embarassing, extremely embarrasing when people harrass me about how young I look. I mean we dont bug people that look older than their age!! I am also very petite (5'3.5 and about 96 pounds) and have a babyface. I am about to turn 25 but look around 16-17. I'm so shy to meet people my age because I feel they will judge me or make fun of me or not take me seriously. I also dont really act my age, possibly because i dont feel my age due to my looks. Its hard to find respect when everyone thinks your just a little runt. I think I need to start loving and respecting myself and maybe all these comments wont bother me anymore. I wish I could feel more confident and really if it wasnt this issue it would be another. Everyone wants to change one or two things about themselves. The bouncers at clubs always take longer looking at my id and they'll ask for my address because they dont believe im that old. It's sooo embarrassing b/c my younger cousins look older than me and they have no problem buying liquor or clubbing. Everyone treats me like a 16-17 year old too! I hate it.
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I am glad to have stumbled on this page too. I am 18 years old, will be 19 at the end of the month.. I often get mistaken for a 15 or 16 year old. It's harder for me because I finished high school in 2006 and was a year ahead of where i should've been because I only did a semester of first year primary school. I was at a band's gig not too long ago, and a woman came up to me and told me I look 16.. i wasn't even in her proximity, and i said "no, I'm actually 18"... and then I said "how old are you?" and she said "27" and I said "well, you look 40" and she slapped me right across the face. I found it really funny at the time and I don't regret the reply at all.
I also work at a liquor store, through family connections so sometimes I get a bit of a rough time about whether I'm 18.. though some people actually ask me for advice on a wine or a beer which is more comforting.
I also work at a liquor store, through family connections so sometimes I get a bit of a rough time about whether I'm 18.. though some people actually ask me for advice on a wine or a beer which is more comforting.
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Hi! i have same problem.
My actual age is 25 and i look like 17-18 years old girl.
I have taken some tips from my friends .They told me to change hair style,put on the weight,Wear jeans with big tops and d'not wear short skirts and short tops as it reflects the smaller age.
So.i think that it will be useful for u.Bye.
Jewelelegance
*** Spam link removed by moderator ***
My actual age is 25 and i look like 17-18 years old girl.
I have taken some tips from my friends .They told me to change hair style,put on the weight,Wear jeans with big tops and d'not wear short skirts and short tops as it reflects the smaller age.
So.i think that it will be useful for u.Bye.
Jewelelegance
*** Spam link removed by moderator ***
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I am so glad to hear there are other people out there with my same problem, mine is pretty bad though, I'm 31 with two small kids--you want to talk about getting comments, I can't go on vacation, grocery shopping or out to eat without somebody making a comment, the other day a lady came up to me when she saw me get the car with two kids and said she wanted to make sure I was old enough to drive! She was worried about the kids! I get comments constantly at work, out EVERYWHERE. I would do anything to look older. Everyone thinks I'm between 15-19
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Wow, I am surprised at all the response. I'm 19 but I always get mistaken for a 12 or 13 year old however I consider that a compliment. Everybody is going to get older sometime during the life however they usually are not able to look younger as the years go by without surgery. I am extremely grateful that I still look young right now.
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