What do people say when you disclose your age? Are you happy to tell them?
By pandaeyes
@pandaeyes (2065)
March 25, 2010 3:40am CST
What do people say when you disclose your age?
I am lucky to have a youthful look.
At least,I am lucky now that I am 47 because I am not yet very lined yet and my hair is still not grey.
When I was much younger, I didn't feel lucky at all.
At 18,I had trouble when taking my sister anywhere where we must pay fares because she was very tall and I was younger looking.
They would wonder who was the half fare and look suspicious when I pointed at her and said she is only 10.
When my kids were little ,people often thought I was the bigger sister which is frustrating when you are the mother .
People who knocked on the door would ask to see my mum LOL
My husband too is younger looking .
When we first moved here at age 23, we had to carry household bills or our birth certificates around with us . The library asked for a letter from our parents when we tried to join.
My father having smoked most of his life,always seemed elderly.
He was often mistaken for a much older person and my mum wondered if he told the truth about his age(although she had seen his birth certificate). He looked 80 at least when he died at age 65.
I don't know which is better, looking old enough to get into 18 rated films and have entry to bars when you are too young really if only they knew or looking young enough to be mistaken for a younger aged person when we reach an age where we wish that we were.
4 people like this
26 responses
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
25 Mar 10
It differs. When I am talking with people who are usually my age, they would say I look older than my age. But when I am talking with older people, they would usually say I look so young. Very confusing. BUT in my own opinion, I think I do look older than my age. That's because I am chubby and I'm usually taller than most people my age (and race). I am not very good in following the hippest fashion. I look so simple and old-fashioned. So maybe it adds to the "old" and "mature" look.
2 people like this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
There was a man in work when I joined at age 16.
One day we were discussing how many young people there were and someone mention ed his name and I said he's not young, he's about 30 isn't he?
He was 19 but because he was quite tubby, he had older mens style clothing.
1 person likes this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
25 Mar 10
I guess the chubbiness can really add years to your physical appearance. But I do know other chubby people who look younger than their age. It really depends. In my case though, I do look older.
I remember two guy classmates of mine in college. People used to tease them 65-year-olds because at the age of 18 or 19, they already had receding hairline, and mature faces.
Now, when I see their photos, they look 10 years older! Now that's worse! The other one was really starting to lose a lot of hair!
But they dont mind the teasing. They are used to it.
But they dont mind the teasing. They are used to it.2 people like this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Oh no fair!They cant help losing their hair LOL.
My brothers is very receding too.
At work there was a man of about 40 who said his just fell out as soon as he reached 21 and that his brother had all of his still .
Strange how it can affect some men and not others in the same family.
1 person likes this
@shello (964)
• United Arab Emirates
25 Mar 10
Hey there! I'm 25 and many say that I look younger than my age. There was one picture of mine which was taken on a beach last November and I was wearing a cap on that one. I had uploaded that picture via facebook and one of my friend commented that it looks like I just graduated from my elementary on that one. She even commented that my husband can be sued for corrupting a minor. LOL. Well, I believe that it is better to look younger than my age, it is a good way of hiding and keeping the stressful life behind out of working abroad and being away from my comfort zone.
2 people like this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Haha Oh poor hubby.
My son looks very baby faced if he wears a hat.
He avoids it at all costs.
He would rather look manly and be soaking wet,than wear a hat to keep the rain off at the moment.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
25 Mar 10
I have never actually looked my age, often being refused entry to the cinema or gigs when I was 20, I looked nearer 14. However, these days I love disclosing my real age, just to see the expression on people's faces. I am 58 years young :-D
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
It is maddening when you are young and look younger.
Not so bad these days now we are old enough that we cant pass for spring chickens anymore :)
1 person likes this
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
I don't i lie about my age. im not asked about my age that much. and most of them wont believe. i dont act like my age most of the time and i don't look like my age -- i look younger. hahahaha..
i just enjoy life the way it supposed to be. im not over with my teenage years yet so thats why but i have a life. i work, i feed myself, i pay for my rent and thats about it. i know some people would think that i cant stand on my own because i look like as if i dont have problems. some people would say that im supposed to like this and that since im getting older but hey, age aint a problem if it's really for you.
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Good for you!
I agree you don't need to lie about age and its really only a number after all.
Funnily enough ,we seem to lose the interest in peoples ages once we get past school age ourselves.
I think it would feel quite rude to ask people we meet as adults about their ages unless there is a specific purpose .
I mean doctors will need to know and sometimes market researchers ask because they must only question a certain age group .
The only other thing I can think of where they ask adults their age is job applications and really I think it is often irrelevant.
1 person likes this
@homeshoppers (6166)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
i have no problem disclosing my age to anyone as i dont look old based on my age, some says i look younger than my age. besides its only an age so i dont care if they will brag it to everyone. i remember i had office mate before who i guess feel jealous coz i look sexy, pretty and young inspite of my age while she look old with her age even though shes younger than me, she keep on saying to others that im the oldest in the group and etc. and i always give it back to her that yes i might be the oldest but i look more younger than her. so then she stop.
2 people like this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Sun can really age skin and so can smoking.
My dad always looked far older than he was.
I have seen a few people that are my age on facebook (school friends) that have really aged and I suppose that is because of those things.
What appeared to be good living in our youth (sunbathing,eating lots, drinking and smoking) really take their toll later on in life.
1 person likes this
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
25 Mar 10
I'm always mistaken by a younger person too, but that's something that I really like, as I don't want to look old. If I have some problem to drink or go into a club I just have to show my id 
. People always react surprised when I tell my real age 
. People always react surprised when I tell my real age 2 people like this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
I bet you feel all good inside though when they do.
One of my work colleagues who was 19 and already married,permanently carried a birth certificate with her too.
She did look very young.
She had that very smooth ivory skin and quite a round face which made her look very youthful.
1 person likes this
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
25 Mar 10
I am 27... And whenever I tell them that I am 27, I see wild looks, surprise and even horror on their faces... No one believes that I am 27.. So these days, I carry my ID card with my birth date on it, always.. 
I look pretty younger, they say. Some people say that I must be 21.. some claim my age to be 24 or 25 maximum... I have to take out my ID out of my wallet then...
It is kind of funny to know these things...
Happy myLotting! 
on their faces... No one believes that I am 27.. So these days, I carry my ID card with my birth date on it, always..
I look pretty younger, they say. Some people say that I must be 21.. some claim my age to be 24 or 25 maximum... I have to take out my ID out of my wallet then...
It is kind of funny to know these things...
Happy myLotting! @pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
That's no bad thing though.
I mean you are lucky enough to still look at least 21 and so wont have to vouch for your age in embarrassment .
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
25 Mar 10
Allegedly I look young for my years (52). I have all my hair (apart from a tiny bald patch that isn't noticeable to anyone but me) and a very unlined face. I compare my photos in my passports to see how I have aged - it does happen, I do look older than I did. But inside I am still 12 - ask anyone! LOL.
1 person likes this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Haha 12 isn't a bad age to be inside.
I look at photos and think ,that girl is a bit young to be the mum of those kids, but it is definitely me in them.
I don't look as young any more of course.
We used to go to the church youth club and no one believed I was 23 back then,they were all around 17 to 20 so I guess my age looked more in that region.
My neighbour thought I was about 20 when we came here but we were both 26
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
25 Mar 10
I think, when we are young, we want to look older and then, when we are older we want to appear younger. (I was quite happy to be only charged half fare on the bus in my 20s & would be ok with being offered a 'seniors' discount now) Age is just a number and its how you feel rather than how you look thats really important. Some people think I'm older than 55 others think i'm younger. Anywhere between 45 & 65 is ok with me =o)Its a very subjective thing because i am hopeless at guessing anyone's age. If pressed, I'll always say 10 years younger than i think.
2 people like this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
I used to do that too.
Once a driving instructor on a lesson said, its my birthday guess how old I am.
He was all smiles and I said 38 (trying to underestimate as I thought he looked at least 45). 32 he said all indignant.LOL
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
25 Mar 10
Hello, Pandaeyes. I'm 57, and I'm quite happy to disclose my age, because people usually think I'm much younger. I have no wrinkles or grey hair, which helps, and I always try to look happy, because nothing is more aging and off-putting than a frown.
I've always looked younger than my age - I was refused service in a pub when I was 21 with two young children in tow. It was a nuisance then, but I quite like it now when people try to guess my age and put me at early forties.
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Well you definitely don't look 57 in your photo.
One of my neighbours is also very young looking.
When they moved here about 4 or 5 years ago, I thought they were a father and daughter couple but they are actually husband and wife.
The man once you get to see him close up, is not as old as he at first appears.
He has quite old fashioned swept back hair like my father used to have but is probably not more than 35.
1 person likes this
@Ingkingderders (3832)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
I am often mistaken as much older than I really am. When I was younger I hated it, but now I guess I'm used to it, they still think I look older than my age. Hahaha. I'm just wondering when will the time come when my looks would coincide with my age. Hahahaha.
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
just like my daughter .
She is often thought of as older.
My son was mistaken for a teacher a few times in college.
He said he had a very odd conversation with a guy one day and then realised the other person was a teacher and thought he was one too.
Strangely he looks quite youthful when wearing a hat but older when bare headed.
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
wow 9 years younger is quite nice!
I remember a few years ago, hearing about a man who went back to school and pretended to be 18. He managed to fool everyone until someone thought they recognised him and looked further into his background then discovered he was about 27.
@tylerscotthess (129)
• United States
25 Mar 10
people usually think i'm a little bit younger than i am, possibly because of how i look, but more likely it is because i act a little bit young. i don't like acting all stuffy and boring, i'd rather have fun. its nice to think that i'm a few years younger than i am, but then its kind of depressing when i think of how old i really am.
1 person likes this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Well they say you are only as young as you feel so if you feel youthful and fun loving, then you are.
@engrdng06 (248)
• Japan
25 Mar 10
I will be 24 years old this August and I feel so embarassed everytime people look at me as a 16 year old girl maybe because I´m thin and small. Everytime people ask about my age, I want to tell them older than my age especially right now, I do have a boyfriend 14 years older than me and it makes me feel so embarassed everytime they tell me I look like his daughter. She has a daughter which just turned 7 and she´s growing so fast.Im afraid few years from now,her daughter might look as his girlfriend already and I, being his daughter. Too bothering for me.
1 person likes this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
Never mind,when you are 40 ,if you carry on being youthful,you will look 30 .Its a bit like getting an unfair addition of youth ,well that's the way I look at it.
I know some people think' oh I am 40,time to get my slippers out and give up being energetic' but I think that if you look and feel younger, you are younger.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
I also look young for my age, which is 36. But in our culture, its not the age that makes my blood curl but the follow up question that is why I am still single at my age. Here in my country, it seems a scourge to be single at my age. But it is nice to see the reaction of people when I tell them my age. I remember at work, most of my co-workers thought I was joking about my age and I had to bring out my social security ID just to prove my age.
@Anne18 (11029)
•
17 Nov 11
I am more than happy to disclose my age nowadays. I'm a proud 48 year old lady and don't care who konws it.
When I was in my later twenties I didn't like to disclose my age and I was 26 at the place I was working for four years.
I think as we get older we don't mind disclosing our age.
I don't know why I was shy about people knowing my real age. Perhaps I was just being vain!!!
@gunagohan (3414)
• India
25 Mar 10
The best thing is to act according to age and not according to the physical structures of the body..
Height alone cannot describe that u are 18 or 25..The skin and the face maturity will describe ur age not the actual age, but approximate age..
I'm now 21 years old...I'm 5 11` tall and when i wear shoes i will fit to 6 feet taller and my face structures exactly describes that i may be in the middle of 19-22..
1 person likes this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
25 Mar 10
my face used to be my enemy as I always did have quite a round childish face even in my mid 20's.
My Aunty had the same sort of face, I used to think she was younger than my mum but she was actually the older one.
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
Well,i am lucky to have younger look than my age.
My avatar tells you so.
That was taken December last year.
I don't use cosmetics,wash my face with water and some lemon and tomatoes.
Eat proper diet,thu,i get chubby last year and i am trying to trim down a bit.
But being chubby gives me much younger looks,but i hate the flabs(hahaha)
I had my eldest daughter aged 16 and,no one believes i am her mother,and people say "owwwhhhh"?...you had 3 kids?
Flattering,i like the feeling,honestly,it's good to look younger than our age(at least when we are really old)
Flattering,i like the feeling,honestly,it's good to look younger than our age(at least when we are really old)
@Bhemzky (423)
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
Wow! Good for you, you look younger. What really hurts is when people look at you old which in fact you are still young. It's like you are too old looking and getting ugly. hehe.. That's the reason why I dont use my eye glasses sometimes. It make me look older.
