Do you lie about your real age?

@rosdimy (3926)
Malaysia
November 18, 2008 4:44am CST
Do you lie about your real age in any relationship? What would your reasons be? From conversations with colleagues and students I found that many people lie about their true age. Men shave a few years off their age when they court much younger women and girls try to pass off as adults. Sometimes there are negative consequences. Most of my female acquaintances never knew my real age. They did not ask mine, and I never asked theirs. Most of them thought I was years younger. Do people say you look older or younger than you actually are? Has any of you lied about your real age? If so, why? When do you think it better to lie than to tell the truth? Any response is greatly appreciated.
16 people like this
62 responses
@pau_79 (790)
• Philippines
21 Nov 08
No-at least not yet lol I dont mind telling my real age and yes its quite ironic-young girls wanna grow old faster and older women wanna pretend to be younger than her real age-but compared to the male species-they dont care how old they are. I guess thats another difference for opposite gender. I think I look younger than my age because Im somewhat petite maybe when i gain some weight ill look more my age
2 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
22 Nov 08
LOL! Well, _I_ plan on staying fat. You see, I've seen what happens to those who LOSE the weight...their fat had been plumping out the wrinkles & sagging, so when it went away, it all started to droop & show deep creases! LOL! I really don't mind the WRINKLES, but that DROOP is sooo unattractive! Maggiepie
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
It is also true for men, where there are young men claiming to be older and older men claiming to be younger. All wanting to impress somebody or another group of people. No wonder health and beauty products business keeps on growing. Thank you for your response.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
18 Nov 08
Honestly, I am guilty of doing it. Everytime someone will asked me about my age, I didn't tell them about my right age. For example, I told them I am 18 eventhough I am still 17 that time turning 18 that year. But now I don't have to because I am already 22. But still they thought that I look younger than my age.
2 people like this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 08
What you did is not considered lying because you were turning 18 in that year. You look younger than your age? Was it your diet? Thank you for your response.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Nov 08
Thank you rosdimy. I am not on a diet. I am just kidding when I told you that I look younger than my age(heheh). But I appreciate it a lot.
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
18 Nov 08
I have never felt the need to lie about my age in any circumstances. I do not at the same time want to be judgemental about others who do as they will have thier reasons. Age is after all a question of mind over matter.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 08
Honesty in most cases is the best policy. I too hold on to the belief that age is a question of mind over matter. Furthermore there are people who are mature beyond their age and vice versa. That is why I rarely bothered to ask others. BTW my real age is in my profile. Thank you for your response.
1 person likes this
@Beruang (1309)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 08
I do not know why some people like to lie about their age. I could not understand how they could just say a different age without having to feel any guilt for doing that. When people asked me about my age, i would just tell them and I do not see why I need to lie. Some people, especially the women are very sensitive about their ages and they always like to lie and hide it but most of them forget that even though they can lie about their age, some people would still be able to know and guess their age. Not all of us are blessed or cursed for that matter with a look younger that we actually are. So, they can lie about their age but their skin, their eyes, their hair and their body in general would still give out that information and in the end they will be the one who would be embarrassed when people found out what their real age is. Anyway, if lying about the age would make that person feels younger or older, so let it be. Cheers!
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 08
They all have their reasons Beruang, and sometimes they even lie about the reasons. Some of them even dyed their hair. I have not lied before, and usually to persistent questioners I simply said I was old enough to be a grandfather. Actually I could not care less unless the purpose is to trap young girls. Thank you for your response. (If I guess the real meaning of your name right
2 people like this
@becnh83 (806)
• Philippines
18 Nov 08
no!!! why should i? actually im proud that i reach this age im 25 and im proud of it, one lie goes to another lie, dont you think? telling the truth will set you free. so what if you guys wont accept my real age? theres nothing harm with it. just tell the truth and there you will know if that one asking you really interest you...
2 people like this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 08
The way I see it age should not be a big issue in a relationship. In my case they were still interested in me even after my answer to her question about my age was to call me grandpa. Thank you for your response.
1 person likes this
• India
18 Nov 08
Of course not. It is true that I am a working Mom, 33 and never lied about age. It is a gradual proess of slowing down of the body and te best bet is to enjoy the phases with your friends, hubby or kids.
2 people like this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 08
Thank you swatilohani especially for telling us a little bit about yourself. But I have met mothers who have a different attitude.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
21 Nov 08
Why do have I to lie. My records is in my office and my ID and other important documents have my birthdates, so need to deny. If other people dont ask my age I will not say about it. I am quite old but who is not going there, everybody will be going there, I was just ahead. So dont lie.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
Akk of us have records of our personal information somewhere, where others have easy access. But this does not prevent some people from lying about their true age when they start a new relationship. Thank you for your response.
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
19 Nov 08
I have never lied about my age. I see no reason to. I have always been told though that I look younger than my age. I can never understand why people lie about their age. I figure if you lie about your age, people are bound to find out your real age eventually anyway, so why not tell them the truth in the beginning.
1 person likes this
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I definitely understand that .
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
I have met people who were not bothered about other people's age unless on official matters. They realise that even if they asked they might get a lie. What is important is having a meaningful interaction. Sometimes people feel awkward when told that they are conversing with a much older person even though they were behaving normally before that. Thank you for your response.
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I never have lied about it and never will. It is just a number. It helps that people think you are younger than you are I am sure. People always have thought I was much younger also. But ALL of the female relatives I have either lie or refuse to give their age to anyone. I have never felt that way, but I certainly understand and respect their feelings when they do.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
One lie usually leads to another. Just as well women generally are better at remembering what they said. As for men, I think people find out sooner. Thank you for your response.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I see no reason to lie about my age. Im 52 now. Less than 30 days will be 53. When i was 42 i dated this younger male. He however lied about his age. He was 10 yrs younger and lied about his age to make hisself more closer to my age.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
27 Nov 08
He did admit that was why he lied about his age. He also was the one all along to say age didnt matter. Maybe he thought to me it did. No not with him now and it wasnt the age difference.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
He could have thought you would definitely rejected him if he had told you his real age. Maybe he did not believe in the saying that age does not matter in a true relationship. Are you still with him? Thank you for your response.
@umart13 (841)
• Ireland
22 Nov 08
Hello rosdimy, this is a great question to ask a guy, especially one like me, who has difficulty telling how old a girl is. In fact I still remember when I was getting to know my last girlfriend and she told me how old she was. I was surprised and all sorts of thoughts went through my head. On the one hand it was cool that a very good looking younger girl fancied me, but then on the other hand I really liked her and knew that this age difference meant the relationship was doomed not to last. So when she asked how old I was, I was sorely tempted to lie, but I didn't. I just used to lie by letting a year slip, whenever I calculated the age difference. Ultimately it is not good to lie about your age or anything else in a relationship. It indicates that you have a weak character and that you cannot be trusted - and trust is the basis of all relationships.... Have a good weekend. Umart
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 08
What a pity your relationship with that young girl did not work out. Maybe it was not true love on her part. Sometimes a big age difference does not cause a break up in a relationship. Other factors play a part, and age difference gets the complete blame. Personal wealth, social position, and work held are more to be blamed, Over here in Malaysia if you are very rich or have a high social ranking most people do not bat their eyelids when you have a very young partner, or intend to have more than one wife. Trust is important and let the truth slowly dawns on them. If they really trusted us, then the truth about our real age would not make much difference to them.
@umart13 (841)
• Ireland
23 Nov 08
Hi Rosdimy, I like what you said about how such age differences are accepted in Malaysia. There is definitely an element of age discrimination here in Europe. However, you are right, when you say that love should be stronger than these social pressures. All the best, Umart
1 person likes this
@syfarisk (378)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 08
I don't lie about my age. I also don't see the reason why one should. Unless you're involved in the fashion business, I guess. It's not about how old you are, it's about who you are.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
24 Nov 08
It is true that who we are is more important than how old we are. But age is closely connected to who or what we are. Our experiences, knowledge, upbringing, cultural infusion, are among the things that change or increase as we grow older. Wisdom has always been seen to go hand in hand with age. So age to a certain extent does matter. It is a matter of whether we want to admit to our real age, or lie, or not make a fuss about it. As it is there are younger people who are wiser than older people.
@katrhina23 (1282)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Well not really. But when somebody asks me about my age , I would joke that I am 30 because I was 31 last year.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
19 Nov 08
actually, in my response, I said that I don't lie about my age but your response made me realize that i do...I always start saying I'm like 50 when i'm 49 and a half...kind of gets me used to it...never a shock when I actually get there...little white lie.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
19 Nov 08
I guess a white lie with no malicious intent is alright. It can also start a conversation on this matter. Thank you for the responses.
@bellebads (740)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
i don't lie about my real age because i don't think there is a need to lie. i always have this comment from those people asking about my age, is that i look younger than my age so i'm not really bothered id someone ask me about my age.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
9 Dec 08
You are another lucky person who does not need to depend on artificial methods to look young. Has your husband/bf made any comments? Thank you for your response. rosdimy
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
my husband always appreciate my looks, my husband's comment only matters for me.lol
• Philippines
20 Nov 08
No.I enjoy being young.If you ask me,I prefer older guys(a day older than me-5 1/2 yrs older than me.Well,before when I was 12,I lied about my age.No one wanted to believe me because I looked a lot younger than my real age.Now I'm 21,no one would still believe my age because I still look like a teenager.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
My mother advised me to find a spouse who is a few years younger than me. The main reason given was something which I think many people would not agree with. Anyway, over to you. Did you find older people behaving the way you expected them to be? Thank you for your response.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
20 Nov 08
I guess I'm pretty lucky to not have to lie about my age. In fact, I really don't see a need to lie about my age. Why would anyone want to lie about their own age? we are who we are and we should learn to accept it. If I don't want to reveal my age, I'd say so rather than lie about it. As for looking my age, I've spent the majority of my life looking older. It's only in recent years that I begin to hear people saying that I look younger. Cheers
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
My comments would be about the same as the ones above so all I want to say for now is thank you for your response.
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
21 Nov 08
Nope. Never have, never will. Why SHOULD I? I've lived, & my face SHOWS it. I'm proud of every wrinkle! LOL! Actually, up until just recently, I COULD have done so, because things had never been quite as rough as they are just NOW for me, & I've heard enough people be truly shocked when I told them my age that I MUST accept I just hadn't been showing it ("No kids," I told them, "THAT'S why! LOL!"). But now, since I turned 60, I AM starting to look older than my 30s. No-one seems shocked any more when I give my age! LOL! Maggiepie
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
Yes, the time when we look the age we are will eventually arrive for most of us. Some resort to physical intervention. Thank you for your response.
1 person likes this
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
20 Nov 08
I never lie about my age nor do i hide it. I am at an age where it does not matter to me anymore.I have just completed 63 years and not only my friends and relatives but even strangers cannot guess my real age as i look ten years younger than my true age. My hair is still black with very few strands of gray in it and i do not use any dye on it. I am always in a happy frame of mind and i lead a tension and stress free life. My regular practice of yoga and meditation keeps me healthy in body and mind.One can say that i am ageing gracefully and if my age does show on my body it would not worry me at all.No artificial means of hiding my age will i ever employ since i hate hypocrisy in any form.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
You are among the lucky ones who are able to age gracefully. Some people never realised inner peace of mind is one of the keys to a youthful appearance. They took supplements but negated the effects of these supplements by refusing to calm down. Wrinkles form on their foreheads and they had to spend more money on ant-aging creams or surgery. Thank you for your response.
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Nov 08
I have lied on social networking sites afew times but never in my job or with friends. I wouldn't want them to do so to me so I would't to them. No reason to do so. I am proud of my age and have to reason to conceal it.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 08
I think it is quite common for people to lie on social networking sites. I was not open about it, which is not the same as lying, for the reasons I have given above. Thank you for your response.
@Erssyl (617)
• Philippines
21 Nov 08
I never lied about my age.Whether they mistook I was younger or I was older than my age,I don't mind.I don't know why others are afraid to declare their real age.Opinion of other people always varies.The saying that says beauty is in the eyes of the beholder really applies.That is why I dont lie about my age.I don't have to attrack others to notice me.Because I have my husband always saying I'm the best that happen to him.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 08
I agree with you that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. In this case age does not equal to beauty. Most probably your husband saw the true inner you. Thank you for your response.