Would you ever lie about your age when you're older?
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
June 26, 2007 2:13am CST
There is life after 40 do make me feel happy these days. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but when people ask me about work or any relationship status, then in the same breath ask, how old I am, I sometimes get the distinct impression they're deducing from my replies whether they should regard me as a failure or not. There's these unspoken assumption that by a certain age, if you're still not driving the latest car model, jobless and broke you're a bit of a loser. Hence, the incentive to lie. And the hardest thing about lying about your age is the stress involved in perpetrating the lie.
If somebody asks my age is to say nothing at all and smile. And just hope the person asking doesn't mistake my stonewalling for an invitation to guess how old I am. Many times this has backfired when they've guessed I'm a lot older. Which brings me to perhaps the one and only reason why it's sometimes better to just fess up about your real age. There's some consolation in not being 30 anymore if they response something like, "Wow! I thought you were much younger!'
14 people like this
46 responses
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
26 Jun 07
It's funny that you opened this post, when somthing strange happend to me, let me share this with you.
I met someone, we had a very interesting comversation, and for the last two weeks we are meeting.
I never thaught of his age and did not ask him, and he did not ask me for my age.
Now when i read your post i know that it does not really matter to me.
I know that there are people that are asking right away, and i will always tell them my real age: 34.
But there are also people that are connecting to me and i am to them, and that question or answer does not seem to be important.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
26 Jun 07
When I was in my twenties, it was all about the age number. Most people thought I was younger than I really was. But, once I had a baby, it was all about being a mommy! Now, most people don't care how old I am, cause I have a kid. I've acheived my goal, and have really stopped caring what the judgemental people say about me. As long as she loves me, then I'm whole and complete.
Your real friends will do the same for you. Your real friends will love you no matter your age, weight, designation or title. They will not care if you are married or single, childless or mother of many. Friends see your heart. Be well and be blessed, my friend.
2 people like this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
26 Jun 07
You're married, mother and successful so you're likely looked upon as having achieved a kind of status in public but some people assume that by certain age, if you're still single, childless, broke, you're a bit of a loser. I don't bother either whether I'm old and broke as long as I live in peace in my own domain I will just be happy to lead the life I want.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
26 Jun 07
No, I have and can't imagine ever will lie about my age - as it is most people say I look much younger than I am. I guess I was blessed with that but it really annoys my younger sister who is 8 years younger than me and everyone thinks I am the younger sister.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
26 Jun 07
Yep, that is me although must admit that picture is almost 3 years old - I was 49 when it was taken.
Funniest story was when I was 45 I got a new drivers license and when it arrived I noticed they had my birth year as 1965. Everyone said I should leave it and enjoy being 10 years younger but I said this, 'I look darn good for 45 - I don't look so good for 35' I got it corrected :) I'm the age I am and earned every one of those grey hairs that lucky for me only really show in the bright sun.
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I haven't ever felt the need to lie about my age. Most people guess that I'm younger than I am by a few years but they might just be trying to be nice. I always figure if they guess within 5 yrs either way that's close enough.
As far as the need for being successful by a certain age, it's a little overrated. I don't judge success by what kind of car someone drives or how many diamonds they wear. If they're happy that's what counts the most. Money doesn't make you happy.
@angela2006 (1845)
• China
26 Jun 07
I am a girl and this year I am 26 years old,but others always say I look younger than my real age,which makes me feel happy,because woman always like being young no matter how old she is.so I do not lie about my age to somebody,because I am still very young,lol.
2 people like this
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
22 Jun 08
There is life after 50 and i'm guessing 60, and 70 and 80, and 90. When people ask my age i usually tell them to guess. They usually pick way below what iam really. I havn't a problem telling them im 52. Age is a state of mind. If you want to just grab a rocker and spent your last 50 years in one go ahead. But as for me im young, able and willing to get out there and learn and have as much fun as is able. I met a man at a bus stop last winter 86 yrs and he was on his way to go skiing. After the kids are grown and out of the house is the best time to get out and do things. No more babysitters. No responsibilities except to me. Live concerts. Party time. Cruses. I can do anything i want to do. FREEDOM SONGS!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
23 Jun 08
Well, i just turned 50 last month and I do not feel any difference when I was in my 30s. I am doing exactly as you said, gaining back my freedom, now that the kids are grown up. but I have taken in two adopted daughters, 10 and 13 years old to fill the void left by my two sons who are staying away.
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
23 Jun 08
I know alot of people and some are younger than my daughter. Around the ages of 18 to 25. Many of these girls look at me in a motherly way. My son in law was abandoned by his mom while he was still very small too. He also looks at me as his mom. I love em all. Some of them want motherly advise from me more than my own kids do.
1 person likes this
@sweetaspie52 (2359)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I am very proud to say I am 53 and will be 54 in December sure I have wrinkles who does not at my age I believe that no matter how much a woman does to look or appear younger her body tells it's true age so I am growing old naturally
1 person likes this
@sweetaspie52 (2359)
• United States
27 Jun 07
as long as I grow older that means that I have passed the need of trying to
hide my age LOL but you are right everyone ages
1 person likes this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
27 Jun 07
talking about your age is actualy mind over matter if you dont mind then it dont matter !
1 person likes this
@pkc3000 (1266)
• India
26 Jun 08
Hey zandi458 In generally womens are hiding their age and hesitate to tell their age in presence of others. But I do not have any problem to tell truth about my age as I am 47 yrs old. But truely speaking one should not ask about age and salary as it may embarass some one's feeling. If some one ask me my age I tell him why you are asking this question ,if he says it is casual I tell him my age. I think hiding age factor is not bad from the female point of views as some of them are connected with film, model and other beauty related works, true age may pose problem for them, but for male candidate I do not think there is need to hide age.
pkc3000
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
26 Jun 08
I never lie about my age since my hair is snow white and I
walk with a limp. I am 81 and so if asked I will say so, nine
times out of ten the person will say you dont look like you
are eighty one. you sure. of course I am sure. lol. I was born in1926 so yes I am what I said. so what I feel a lot younger
and that is what counts.
1 person likes this
@leateagee (3667)
• China
26 Jun 08
For me, I will tell my age. It doesn't matter what people will say. basically now, they are already judging me. I am 31 and I am still single. I choose to be. I am happy and enjoying my life. I have suitors but it seems that there is no chemistry or sparks in our meetings. No use. I am fine being single. take care =)
@ctobler0609 (361)
• United States
23 Jun 08
I will be 32 in a couple of months. I am a manager in the office I work for and they have hired a lot of younger employees lately. Now when I say younger, I mean between 19-22 yrs old. Now I am not in a time warp, and in now way shape or form do I consider my "hip". But, it was a real slap of reality when a 21 yrs old employee (ex employee now but nothing to do with this) made a comment about the style of jeans she buys. She turned to me and said "you probably don't know what I am talking about". When I asked her why she would think that, she replied because I was older. I wanted to reply to here that I was going to talk to my bank about the escrow on my mortgage, but you wouldn't know what I was talking about because you are still a kid!!!! Of course I did not say that, but I wanted to. I will not lie about my real age. I will just be glad for everything that I have absorbed thus far, and be excited for what is to come!
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
26 Jun 08
I wish people would stop asking about how old I am because I really would like to be hush hush about it. But just like you pointed out, I get mostly incredulous expressions. They tell me I still look 25 or 24 which makes it okay to tell my age anyways. Haha. I just don't like it sometimes when they add that I should already get married.
1 person likes this
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
30 Jun 08
NO, because I believe that lying just adds more to your age. Just remember that aging gracefully is better than plastic surgery or lying about you age.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
27 Jun 07
No, I have never even considered lying about my age. I am 49 years & think people should not make any assumptions due to my age. Nor should people discriminate. I am rarely asked my age anyway. I don't know if I look 49 or not?
If ever I thought I was being discriminated against due to my age, or assumptions were being made, I would speak up!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
27 Jun 07
Lying about one age serves no purpose as it will not bring in longivity to us. As we age we have to work hard to take care of our body to comensurate with our advancing age. Being old is not for anybody to judge our success and failure. As long as we had a happy fulfilled life is all that matters.
@Gwapako_28 (2140)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
I wont ever lie my age.And i am not shy to tell everyone how old i am if somebody asked me.I know we get old.Not just me, not just you.But everyone of us will get old...
1 person likes this
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
7 May 08
I don't think I'll ever have this problem because I look young for my age so I've been told. Also all the women in my family look young for their ages. However if I was asked this when I'm old I probably would tell because I've got nothing to hide. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting older!
@kitkat1 (1227)
• Canada
27 Jun 07
I will kid around alot about age like saying you are only as old as you feel. The bad thing about that is some days i feel 100 lol. But there are times that i feel on top of the world to and only feel like a teenager too but that is rare lol. I do not lie about my age though does not really matter to me none of us are getting any younger u can only go up from here eh. But you can stay young at heart and that is my goal in life and i am happy with that age is only a number after all.
1 person likes this
@butterfly39 (3904)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
I'm 39 this July, and I don't look old at my age.
And another thing is I don't feel of being old.
Honestly if someones's gonna ask my age, I just tell him/her to guess it, and nobody gets it correct, abit younger for them.
1 person likes this
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I do whenever i go out to meet the ladies I say that I am 32 or 35 instead of going on 40.
1 person likes this
