Have you been mistakenly taken as younger/older than your age?
By littlepinoy
@littlepinoy (600)
Philippines
December 5, 2008 10:11am CST
Which would you prefer?
People mistook you for being younger than your age, or for being older?
I'm 25 years old. But a lot of people whom I meet the first time at a glance would assume i'm younger than 25. Maybe 23 or 22 perhaps. Maybe it's due to my height. At about 5'1" tall, people could mistake me as being a college student still. hmmm.
Once, I was talking to this 20-year old guy that i met the first time. He's a big guy though. But I didn't know yet he was 20. I thought he was older than me. around late 20's. Then the way he was talking and asking casual questions, it was as if I was around 20 or whatsoever. Until... he asked me "so you just came from school?"
to which i replied, "no, i just got out from work." Then I saw a surprised look from his face. hehehe. That's when he told me that he thought I was his age. and it was my turn to get surprised. But i didnt tell him that i thought he was older. hehehehe
8 people like this
58 responses
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
6 Dec 08
Most of my adult life I've been taken as much younger than my age, but not any more. Maybe it has soemthing to do with my silver hair. Or the way I hold myslef, like old. Sometimes I think I'm 20 years older than I am lol.
Lash
1 person likes this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
5 Dec 08
It's strange how all of this works. Growing up, I was always thought to be older. Probably came from being the tallest in my age group. In some cases, I was taller than my teachers. People added anywhere from five to ten years to my age. Developing early did nothing to halt this. Then, about the time I was in college, things did an abrupt about-face. People started thinking I was younger than I was. They'd subtract anywhere from 2 to 3 years. Not that I'm complaining. Growing up, who doesn't want people to theink they're older? And getting older, who doesn't want people to think they're younger?
It's interesting what cues we use to determine age. Height is a big factor. For some reason, tall = older. But there are more subtle things we use, like how someone speaks, the visible aging of their face and hair. I don't care what age you are, gray hair makes you look older. But then, you get disconnects, people who don't look their age.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
I really envy it everytime I see an American my age, but a lot taller and bigger [I mean in terms of chest size, shoulder size and all]. I'm from the Philippines. I think my height stopped increasing about 13 years ago. :-(
My father always told me to eat a lot so that I will grow taller... but the more I eat, the more I grow CROSSWISE... not LENGTHWISE. I'm frustrated. :-(
1 person likes this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
8 Dec 08
brainerboss:
Actually, in high school I was once mistaken for a teacher. It's funny, but a little disconcerting at the same time.
I'm certain if you saw me you wouldn't think athlete, but I agree that being tall does have its advantages. Taller people are taken more seriously, they are more imposing, they can reach the top shelf. :) As a woman, being taller has probably protected me from being messed with. Attackers normally don't want to tangle with someone who is their equal. It has also allowed me to have more gravitas in business situations.
However, being a woman, tallness can be a huge disadvantage. For one thing, finding men taller than me is a bit of a challenge. And there's the weird thing of tall guys going for short girls. Also, men seem to find taller women intimidating.
From a biologic standpoint, being short can be a very good thing. Shorter people suffer less from joint problems and live longer. However, to bottom-line it, if I could choose, I most certainly would choose to be tall.
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
8 Dec 08
littlepinoy:
I can totally relate. For a woman being tall can be a drawback but I think it might be tougher for a man who is smaller. Men are the protectors, the big, strong members of the human race. As humans we tend to make that value judgment. But, like so many judgments, it can quickly be shown to be false. So take heart. Being big and tall isn't always what it appears to be.
As for your father's words of wisdom, that sucks, doesn't it? They don't mention the crosswise bit until it's too late. It's not fair. :)
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
6 Dec 08
All the time. nowadays, when I mean new people for the first time, and I tell them that I am 20, they are always shocked. They often tell me that I look like I'm 18 or 19. Recently I was even told that I looked like I was 16. I thought it was a little extreme. I mean I know I don't look like a 20 year old. I know I look younger, but not to the point of looking like a 16 year old.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
Hahhahaha. Being mistakenly took as 16 yrs old can be an annoyance. too many restrictions.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
6 Dec 08
Several times I've been mistaken for being much older. On my 40th birthday we went to the casino to have some fun - and I got carded. LOL The security guy thought I was only 21. What an ego boost! Then one day at work I was talking to a coworker about my grandchildren and another coworker overheard me and said what grandchildren - you aren't old enough for that! He was quite surprised to hear that I was indeed old enough to have two grandchildren.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
6 Dec 08
See what happens when I post when I'm sleepy? I say things that make no sense. LOL The first sentence should be several times I've been mistaken for being much YOUNGER, not older. Silly me. :P
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
hhahahha! That makes sense now. *grins*
and being carded all the time is really annoying. :-D
@ShortyAkbar (384)
• United States
6 Dec 08
People think I'm younger than I am because of my height and they say I have a young face. The funny thing is I have a mustache and everything. I went in to pay a bill for my mom once and the lady behind the counter handed me a lollipop because she thought I was a little kid and I was 19 at the time.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
I have a full goatee and I'm still mistakenly took as being younger. although jus a year or two younger compared to around 4 to 3 younger when i have a clean shave
@tiohwji (133)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
I'm 22 and people always think that I'm 17. It always happens whenever I go to a club, they used to detain me first on the entrance door until I present a proof that I'm above 18.So what I did is I always bring my Social Security ID with me just to make them believe that I'm 22. It also happens when I'm buying a lottery ticket or playing bingo games, they always ask me for my age before they sell me the ticket. being mistaken as younger than my age was never really an advantage to me but it's very flattering though because it means that I'm baby faced lols :P
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
But isnt that annoying? you get carded at most times, Detained until proven older, etc? hehehe
@tiohwji (133)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
yeah, exactly- it's very annoying. they're thinking that I'm one of those minors trying to get in to the adult's world. I live with my age. when I was still a minor, I never really dare to go to a club because i know that they will just kick me out. I really envy my classmates before who can get in to a club even they're not 18 yet because when we we're 15-17 years old, they already look like 20 or something,that's why they can get in easily w/o any questions.
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
6 Dec 08
Hello there friend. I am a 21 years old male but some people see me older and some younger - depending if my face is shaved or not 
I think in the end it is all a matter of perspective as even i have considered some girls that were about 15-16 years old to be at least 18 years old from their looks.
I think in the end it is all a matter of perspective as even i have considered some girls that were about 15-16 years old to be at least 18 years old from their looks.@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
Hahahaha. me too. It depends if I sport a goatee or not. But most often, I don't shave.
@katemeow (847)
• Singapore
6 Dec 08
hello littlepinoy! i'm also a filipino :) I'm about 5'6 tall and already 27 years old but people always think that i am still in college. there was one time in the movie house when they asked if i was already 18! that really gave me a big ego boost! LOL.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
It's definitely a classic! Being carded everytime you try to watch some movies because they thought that you were too young to watch the movie. haha.
@srganesh (6340)
• India
6 Dec 08
I was always mistaken for an older age with me.Often people judge me to be some five years older than I am.It is due to my matured face look which I inherited.So,I cant help it anyway.And I dont feel bad or regret it,because I easily gain a leadership amidst my friends.Something commanding like is in my face.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
I agree. People with a more "mature" look tends to also look responsible, and thus get a the front seat in leadership roles. :-D
@morningstar369 (495)
• United States
6 Dec 08
Considering that I am 63 years old it is always a good thing to find people think I am younger than my age. I make and sell tye dyed clothing crochet hats and make jewlery. I am around young people and I have a pretty young outlook on most things. Like I still go to Metal shows and when ever possible I'm in the pit, there are usually some people around my age in there. No I do not mosh!!!!
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
Hahhahaa. Being with younger people makes us look younger especially if being with them energizes you positively. :-D
@Louprincesss112 (96)
• United States
6 Dec 08
i'm always mistaken as being younger then I am..I'm 21 and everyone thinks i'm like thirteen. I've come to good terms with it and, now when my family and friends start making jokes about it I have one good response for them. When I'm forty people will think i'm in my twentys when your forty how old will they think you are..lol
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
hahaha. Sometimes, it's a joy to be mistaken as younger than your real age.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
Hahhaha. I guess you're one of the many people who gets carded when buying liquors or traying to watch adult/horror/groggy films in cinemas.
@JeztheNun (90)
• United States
5 Dec 08
When I was 23 I got a job in a supermarket. I had a one year old son, and could only work part-time. After having worked there for about 8 months, my boss and I were talking and I jokingly said "Let's knock off early and go to the bar." He laugh and said something about me not being old enough. I looked at him sideways and said, "Dennis... I'm 23 years old." He seemed surprised. "Nuh uh, " he said, "you're, like, 19 or 20 at most!" I showed him my driver's license to prove it. I was really flattered, though. I've always looked pretty young for my age, but now, as I near 30, it's finally catching up with me.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
Hahahaha! I guess many women looks younger than their age. I often mistook many women as ten years younger than their real age.
@JeztheNun (90)
• United States
6 Dec 08
I think these days it's just hard to judge a person's age. I see little kids and I can't tell if they're 8 or 12, you know?
Also, women have the advantage of looking younger for longer, but men definitely have an advantage of aging more gracefully.
@saichandtalluri (1486)
• India
6 Dec 08
ya i always look very old than my original age is my original age is 22 but still i look very old than my age because of my heavy body structure and mustach on my face
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
It's funny how people of big structure always mistaken to be older than their real age. As for me, it always amaze me to know that the big tall guy i was talking to was actually of my age.
@djmarion (4898)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
when i was young and in my elementary grade, other teachers often ask my mother how old i am and if i am a repeater. my mother of course felt offended at that time since i am always an honor student so she said I'm not a repeater and infact I'm a bright kid, the teachers explained to my mother the reason for that question is that i don't mingle with my classmates who plays and plays non stop, they think i am older compare to common students since i act more responsible and more mature.
i don't really like playing then, i am often aloof and shy and very serious that my classmates mistook me for being boring, nerd and intelligent. lol.
i guess its my advantage, but now that i'm 24 it seems like the situation has changed, people now mistook me for being a college student again, they think i am younger that my age since i use to take life very lightly and they often see me smiling or joking around.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
I guess being mature makes us look older huh? on the brighter side, it also makes us look responsible, reliable and competent.
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
Hahhaha. I guess things and perceptions really change as we grow old. :-)
@BonezFashion (53)
• United States
6 Dec 08
I was at a party once and I had been talking to someone [I was twelve at the time]. I wondered how old i looked to her, so I asked her how old did she think I was, and she said I looked 9.
@khan2abdul (416)
• India
6 Dec 08
Yes In my grandfather place, I am 17 years of age and my brother is 20, but I am taller then him. From the chidhood we had not stayed in my grandfater house so every time when we went their all people taught that I am bigger than my big brother
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
6 Dec 08
Hahahha. I thought people who havent seen you much mistook you as your brother, and your brother as you. Identity confusion from other people that is. hehe
@Kysweetgal (123)
• United States
6 Dec 08
I would have to agree with you I am 24 years old with four kids and every time I go to buy a pack of cigerettes I get carded cause they think I look younger than 18. sometimes it gets frustrating excepecially when it is the same person who id's me about everyday. But I guess it is better to look younger cause when you get older you will look younger then as well.
RayAnn
