What's up with the ages of some myLotters?
By liquorice
@liquorice (3887)
July 14, 2008 7:54am CST
I really want to ask this question as it's been bothering me for a while, but don't want to appear rude to older myLotters, so I really hope that I don't offend anyone here...
I've noticed that several people who I've come across are in their late 80's according to their profiles. And of course I know that this is a perfectly plausible scenario and lots of 80 or 90 (or even 100) year-olds are very skilled in using a computer, emailing, programming and doing just about anything that anybody else can do, if not more - that's not my query.
The reason for my question is that some of these octogenarians have posted recent photos of themselves and they look a lot younger than their myLot age (and younger than can be attributed to simply 'looking good for their age'). And others have said things in their posts that make it just impossible for them to be in their 80's; for example when somebody spoke about their mother, who's in her 60's, (
?!)
I'm not calling anybody a liar, I want to get that clear 
. I don't see any reason for anyone to claim to be older than they are, (and even if they do then that's their call and it's really none of my business!)
As I've been noticing this kind of thing quite a lot recently I've been wondering whether there's maybe some kind of myLot computer bug that (for some bizarre reason) puts a number in the 80's into your age field if you fail to provide your age or date of birth.
Or maybe some people have simply entered the wrong date of birth in the form and don't know how to go back to change it.
Or perhaps it's kind of a protest by people who don't want to give their real age, which is really fair enough! 
I'm not asking anyone to clarify their age (that would be a bit rude!), I just want to know, (if you're willing to share this with me), if you've got the wrong age showing on your profile page, and why you think that's happened.
?!)
I'm not calling anybody a liar, I want to get that clear . I don't see any reason for anyone to claim to be older than they are, (and even if they do then that's their call and it's really none of my business!)
As I've been noticing this kind of thing quite a lot recently I've been wondering whether there's maybe some kind of myLot computer bug that (for some bizarre reason) puts a number in the 80's into your age field if you fail to provide your age or date of birth.
Or maybe some people have simply entered the wrong date of birth in the form and don't know how to go back to change it.
Or perhaps it's kind of a protest by people who don't want to give their real age, which is really fair enough!
I'm not asking anyone to clarify their age (that would be a bit rude!), I just want to know, (if you're willing to share this with me), if you've got the wrong age showing on your profile page, and why you think that's happened.2 people like this
4 responses
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
14 Jul 08
I think you need to take the facts as it is. People lie on the internet. it's so easy for me to talk about having problems with my spouse just to get you guys to response when in fact I'm not even married yet! Perhaps some people want to play roles or act like someone else on the internet? I think it's perfectly fine. Given that this is cyberspace, there is no need to verify people's identities. So just don't be too trusting.
3 people like this
@liquorice (3887)
•
14 Jul 08
Yes, I definitely need to stop being so trusting! I do tend to believe most of what people say on this site. To be honest if I found great inconsistencies with someones' stories (like you saying you have problems with your spouse and then in another post saying that you're single) I would be quite disturbed by that.
I do assume that this is a place where people do "share" a lot about their lives, and that's what makes it a nice place, as you feel like you are getting to know people a bit, wherever they are in the world. If I did find such an inconsistency I don't think I'd be able to take any of their posts seriously again and probably wouldn't want to respond to any of their discussions.
(Hmm, did you really do that?)
1 person likes this
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
14 Jul 08
Too funny! I haven't noticed this, but I can understand why people would do it. I can see people doing it if they're underage or don't want people to know their age. Now, what I don't get is trying to hide your age and posting a picture that's actually you! Seems a bit counterproductive to me, personally.
@liquorice (3887)
•
14 Jul 08
Yes, I think that's funny too! Showing your picture doesn't give your age away I suppose, but I'd find showing my photo even more of a personal thing to do. That's just me though.
It was when I realised that an 88 year old had a mother in her 60's that I suddenly realised that something weird was going on, lol!
1 person likes this
@erikdell (99)
• United States
14 Jul 08
Not really sure but I myself don't really care too much either way. If people want to "stretch" the truth about their age then that's fine by me. But one thing I've noticed on other sites it that they require people to be at least 18 or older in order to receive payouts. This might have something to do with that. Again, I'm not sure but maybe it has something to do with payouts. Just my two cents.
@liquorice (3887)
•
14 Jul 08
Yes, so maybe some of the 88 year olds are in fact 16 year olds? lol! I never thought of that one.
Well, I don't really mind either if people lie about their ages (now that I know that they do! ). Age isn't really that significant to me, except it's just always nice to know a bit about the person I'm interracting with. But like I said above, it's when I find out that they're lying about everything else that I start to get really disturbed. I'd like to think that I'm taking part in genuine discussions about peoples' lives, not some fiction that they've cobbled together to get a bit more money. 
(Yes, I know, maybe I should stop using the internet, lol!)
). Age isn't really that significant to me, except it's just always nice to know a bit about the person I'm interracting with. But like I said above, it's when I find out that they're lying about everything else that I start to get really disturbed. I'd like to think that I'm taking part in genuine discussions about peoples' lives, not some fiction that they've cobbled together to get a bit more money.
(Yes, I know, maybe I should stop using the internet, lol!)
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
15 Jul 08
*LOL* I have to ask, are the ones you see with high ages women? I mean a lot of women just don't like letting people know their age. It is not something that ever bothered me. I am proud of my age and, I do post my age on any site that gives you that choice.
But, I can understand why some wouldn't want people knowing how old they are, whether they are really young or of the older set.
I have a friend on another site who lists her age as 99 but, you know when you look at her picture, she is far from that.
Just a personal thing, I think.
@liquorice (3887)
•
15 Jul 08
Good point! I've seen a few men and a few women do this so far, but as I've probably only seen a tiny proportion of the profiles on this site I don't know how many people do this, or how many are women.
Yes, I've never seen any problem with people knowing how old I am, and I'm glad that you feel the same. I don't see any point lying about it, I'm the age that I am, and that's all there is to it. I suppose though for some people on here, it's maybe not people knowing their age that they're concerned about, but just the fact that they have to give out personal information like their date of birth on a website. They probably see it as an infringement of their privacy. (Which I can understand more than being embarrassed about their age!)
I suppose if your friend has posted a picture then at least most people won't be fooled by her apparent age.
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
18 Jul 08
Oh, wow, I have not been very observant, have I? I only just this minute saw that I was given a best response. Thanks!*S*
