# Dear cranky old Bastards: I am not a "kid" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 15, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056 "2011-11-15T22:27:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/41 "2011-11-17T01:44:23Z")
**Bosstone** , just so you know, Bill has now stolen your quote, filed the VIN off and claimed it as his 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/42 "2011-11-17T14:44:30Z")
I’m a 35 yo male who looks like he’s around 23-24. I work in engineering with people who prejudge me as the new kid whenever they meet me. It used to make me mad but I’ve found that saying things like “stop treating me like a child” or “I’m not a kid!” or “I’m the boss here!” do nothing but make you seem like the child they already think you are. There’s no winning this battle. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/43 "2011-11-17T15:51:45Z")
Eh, soon you’ll be old and doing the same shit to the new guy. Cycle of life. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/44 "2011-11-17T16:10:40Z")
I find the commentary about boobs far more interesting than complaints about looking like a kid. Of course so do you. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/45 "2011-11-17T21:19:01Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > I’m a 35 yo male who looks like he’s around 23-24. I work in engineering with people who prejudge me as the new kid whenever they meet me. It used to make me mad but I’ve found that saying things like “stop treating me like a child” or “I’m not a kid!” or “I’m the boss here!” do nothing but make you seem like the child they already think you are. There’s no winning this battle. When I was about 12-15, I looked like I was 18 or even in my early 20s. Then, when I was 18 til about 25, I looked like I was about 14 or 15 (and I was constantly carded). Someone who is in his 30s, though, and looks it, is old enough to not be considered a kid. ---
**Author:** ![qbadger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/fbc32d/32.png) [@qbadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qbadger)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/46 "2011-11-18T00:24:35Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > When I was about 12-15, I looked like I was 18 or even in my early 20s. Then, when I was 18 til about 25, I looked like I was about 14 or 15 (and I was constantly carded). Are you by any chance related to a [Mr Benjamin Button](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Case_of_Benjamin_Button_%28film%29)? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/47 "2011-11-18T01:43:10Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Meh. If you’re young enough to be _their_ kid, you’re a “kid” to them. I don’t find it such huge insult. Shit, if you’re younger than my little brother you’re a kid to me. And he’s 55. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/48 "2011-11-18T02:20:39Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Look, I know that you wrinkled, dessicated, dust-spunking bastards and your lizard-queen, jersey shore, bleached- out, plastic trash wives think that you own our town when you show up for a few months each year, but seriously try to engage whatever neurons you have left sparking in the festering meat jello of your minds. First off, I am not a “kid”. You do not need to look to my 50- something employee for confirmation when I tell you something. Your first clue was when he brought you to ME to get the answers to your dumbass questions. Your second one was when he told you that he would have to ask \*his \*boss about your request for discount on already dirt-cheap items, and introduced you to me as such. Your third one was when he brought you back for a third time for design help since I have multiple degrees in those fields and he does not. Normally I do not mind looking young for my age. Since I’m in my thirties now it actually kind of nice. The thing is, equating me to some minimum wage high schooler just because I look good for my age isn’t just stupid, it’s downright insulting. I just took the better part of an hour walking you through a lot of material, answering rather technical questions and even had a nice chat with you about my wife and the real estate market while your husband tried to remember where he put his credit card. (amazingly it was _in his wallet!)_ After all that you _still_ feel the need to look for reassurance from someone “more experienced” eh? The same guy who bluntly told you he was out of his league and summoned me to assist you properly. > > Sigh. It’s going to be a long winter here in Florida. Typical kid babble. Getting angry lover nothing like a child. Get off my lawn. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/49 "2011-11-18T04:13:45Z")
Just dropping in to say - I got no respect in my industry, whatsoever (“sure kid, can I speak to your manager now?”) until I both: [ul] [li]Got the beard (well, technically a “Van Dyke”, I suppose.)[/li][li]Turned 30. [/li][/ul] I am a professional and have been for like six years now, but yeah, ageism works against the young as well. Nobody gave a shit what I thought (despite years in the lab) at 27; now that I’m 30 suddenly maybe I have something to say :rolleyes: Of course this same industry has no use for the opinions of women or non-asian minorities, but don’t get me started. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/50 "2011-11-18T07:40:26Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Typical kid babble. Getting angry lover nothing like a child. Get off my lawn. I \*hope \* that angry lover you’re getting is nothing like a child. Go go **gonzomax** with that ol’ angry lovin’! ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/51 "2011-11-18T07:58:42Z")
in a few years (fewer i think,) you’re going to die of insecurity when you discover you’re already older than most of your co-workers and that they’re making more than you do. but if by then you still look young for your age, that’s some consolation. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/52 "2011-11-19T06:30:08Z")
Heh. **Acid Lamp** , just wait until you’re in the position to be their boss. It’s loads of fun for all. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056/53 "2011-11-19T16:53:42Z")
As a soon-to-be-57-year-old-woman, I ask you: HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE TREATED WHEN YOU GET AS OLD AS I AM? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-cranky-old-bastards-i-am-not-a-kid/603056.md?page=2)