There's always a catch 22 of people assuming you are younger then you are. When your past the 30+ it's a blessing and uber flattering. However when your twenty and your trying to be taken seriously it's less of a compliment than it is embarrassing.
We've all been there, young and wanting to be old enough to have the freedom to drive, drink or go out to the bar. Restrictions that only make us antsy to be older. The glorified benefits of being old enough to participate. No longer to be left out and told to go to your room or not being able to see that 18A movie. You always crave to be old when you are young and then the opposite of when you are old. In my case I had an unfortunate incident of being told I looked like "a 13 year old." I politely informed the man in question who asked for my identification that I was indeed turning 21 this year. He then squinted at my id, surprised. I'd like to attribute this to the 90's white thick headband that I was wearing at the time. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't seen a Degrassi: The Next Generation character: Paige Michalchuk wearing the exact same headband on an episode during a Degrassi marathon I was on. I'm happy to say the headband has now been tucked away in my closet, I'm not quite ready to part with it for nostalgic reasons not that it will ever make another appearance. I guess I see the benefits of this, eventually reaping the rewards of my youthful looking face in my old age, however as a soon to be graduate who is looking to be taken seriously I don't see this turning in my favor. Employers must look at your appearance and think this is someone who can be respected. How can a 13 year old gain respect? This in a way puts me at a disadvantage, a downside of looking young. Perhaps slapping on some make up and filling in my wrinkle lines with an eye liner will accentuate my older features. I always thought eye liner was key, really popping your eyes out. However I have since discovered that eye liner likens you to a goth and that nobody is going to take you seriously looking like that. At least not in my profession. For those that are "older" I don't want to put a number on this as no one really wants to be dated with a number. Especially if you are "older." Getting Id'd for them is making their day. I mean there are rewards, the passing stares of admiration and of course envy from your peers of the same age. Maybe you start walking a little straighter proud to still have that youthful glow. You've still got it girl, work it! However not getting Id'd and being assumed as being older is one of everyone's nightmares especially if your in the older category. Who wants to look older when they are old. I'd compare this to taking the subway or the train. Young people stand out, they are the ones you people watch unconsciously with their perfect hair and non-nonchalant attitude towards fashion. They're young and they can pull of anything. When your older you get passing glances and nobody really notices you and you sink into the background along with the thousands of working professionals who all look the same in their suits and heels. Being mistaken for being older doesn't have to be all bad though, does it? I mean just like for younger people who want to go to the movies, once your over a certain age you become a "senior." That means senior discounts, bring on that new purse you wanted. You'll be saving money that you will be able to buy more "it" items. There you have it, the upsides the downsides and if you roll with the punches you'll always find a way to come out on top. Don't let being too young or too old stop you. Another discussion for another day. Megan
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MeganMulti-media journalist with an unstoppable curiosity. Archives
May 2017
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