Posting in the pit, I remembered the look clerks give me when I buy beer. I’m twenty-one. But apparently I look sixteen, as I got carded at the movie theatre a few months ago. Carded. To see a movie.
When they notice how annoyed I get when their eyes bugger out, they invariably say “you’ll appreciate it when you get older!” Maybe. I’ll be bald in the next two years, so we’ll see how that works out.
I’m 40 and may finally, thanks to some gray hairs, be starting to look my age. But throughout my 20s and most of my 30s I was carded regularly (sometimes even for movies, not often). My most memorable you-look-young moment occurred when I was 27 and served as a judge at a statewide writing contest for 8th-graders, and was mistaken for one of the contestants. Yep, someone thought I was an 8th-grader. A very tall 8th-grader.
Anyway, most people will probably tell you that yes, as you get older you’ll appreciate it more. I know I do.
I’m almost 26 and most people still think I’m in my late teens or early twenties.
I don’t really understand why but it doesn’t bother me as I don’t smoke, don’t often drink, and the only time I can ever remember being carded for a movie was when the person behind the window was carding everyone. Strangely, though most people would guess my age below at or below majority, I am very rarely carded the few times I actually buy beer or liquor.
I have always looked young for my age. My Drill Sargent used to joke that I got on the wrong bus on the way to school. I always hated it when I was your age. Now though I’m 43 (well next month) and most people think I’m 35 or so. The only good thing about it is young girls in there 20’s pay attention to me that wouldn’t when I was twenty something. Too bad they bore me now, well after the sex anyway.
27 now and enjoying looking younger. It’s actually a lot of fun since most of my peers who looked so "mature’ early on, look rough now and I look great.
Now that Im 37 it feels pretty good when someone thinks im 27 or younger.Especially when most of my classmates are gettin the crows-feet, bald and graying.
The last time I was carded was 2yrs ago,when the cashier asked for ID I said ‘thanks’. She had a puzzled look untill she read My ID, she did a double-take & said “Oh I see”, I said “yeah thats what I mean, Thanks”- Thats not gonna happen much longer.
My husband is 43 and looks between 30-35. He’s a dirty blonde, and you have to look closely to see the lighter blonde hair is really grey. Now that it’s in his sideburns and chest, his real age is showing a bit more. But honestly, it’s just revolting how he looks 15 years or so younger than he really is.
He’s never smoked, done drugs, or even had alcohol, so I guess it’s that clean living that’s helped in his case. But seeing him point out a high school contemporary who’s overweight, grey, balding, or wrinkled is when I realise how good Marc looks for his age.
How does he feel? Well, he feels great about it! It’s a source of personal pride, although it’s just a combination of healthy living and a fluke of genetics. I don’t think it’s ever bothered him to look younger than he is.
Every time I meet a stranger outside of a business situation they ask me what school I attend, so I guess I fit into this category (I’m 30). It doesn’t bother me too much as someone mistaking me for 23 years old really doesn’t affect me in any meaningful way.
I’m 25 and have been recently mistaken for as young as 16. It’s certainly better than looking older. Strangely, I’m told that my voice could pass for 40.
On a related note, noticed a lone grey hair in my mane the other day. I plucked it out and examined it (as is standard procedure for this milestone) to make sure it wasn’t just an anomalous blond strand. It had a distinct silvery sheen, but otherwise seemed strong and healthy. Here’s hoping that my middle years will bless me with a particularly distinguised coif.
I just turned 36, and I get carded every single time I buy alcohol. Here’s a photo of me; of the two guys in gray suits at left, I’m the one looking at the camera. (The photo, obviously, is a recreation of the Sgt. Pepper album cover; we have a friend who’s a Beatlemaniac and threw this party for the anniversay this year.)
I guess it’s genetic; my father is 64, and looks a lot younger than that. I’m also lucky in that I haven’t put on much weight over the years, which certainly adds to a youthful appearance. I can state with certainty that “clean living” is not the cause in my case.
Apparently I look so young for my age that it’s made my height deceptive. Yes, my height. On occasion my friends will say to me when I stand up “damn I keep forgetting how tall you are. Since you look 12 I always think you’re only like 5’7” or something."
In the presence of female friends and acquaintances they will often talk about guys and their need to find a guy as if I’m not even there. With most of my female friends (all of whom are younger, albeit by no more than a year or two) I fall into the “cute little brother” role because of my appearance coupled with my social awkwardness that makes it difficult for me to assert any kind of cool factor.
Oh, and I’ve been finding stray grey hairs for the last year. I’m going to go grey before I look 20. I’m currently 23 and still a virgin for what it’s worth.
I’m 30, and I haven’t been carded for a good few years in this country (well, the drinking age is 18 so I should hope not!). I did, though, get asked for ID to buy a lottery ticket (minimum age 16) when I was almost 21. I still often get asked if I want student-rate tickets for cinemas etc.
A few months ago I went to visit my parents and got talking to someone in a shop while my mum was getting served at the counter. I mentioned that I was just visiting my parents and that I lived near London, and the woman said, “Oh, you’re at college there are you?”
A few years ago I was in Australia. I was 26 at the time (rather small pic) and got carded going into the casino. Not just once, which I might put down to a fluke, but the next evening too.
I guess I should be pleased. Certainly since turning 30 I appreciate it more…
