# Why, God, WHY??? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 7, 2001, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871 "2001-01-07T16:58:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/41 "2001-01-08T18:53:48Z")
When I first met the woman who would become Mrs. Bricker, she was (in my mind) a cute but clearly off-limits teenager, or early twenties at best. This was confirmed when she smiled - she was wearing braces. Naturally, our interaction was kept completely proper… until she mentioned she was a lawyer, and had an undergraduate degree in diplomacy. She had the braces, by the way, until the week before our wedding; she didn’t want her wedding pictures to show her with braces, so she had them taken off a bit early. She’s 31, but in the right clothes, she could still walk down a high school hallway and get asked, “Young lady, where’s your hall pass?” - Rick ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/42 "2001-01-08T20:05:52Z")
The worst is when a couple of us different age lookers get together. When I was 22, I looked 32, and could pass for 35(when you’ve been in so many fights that your face is kind smashed out of shape it gets easier to pass). I was talking to this chick I met in a bar. She was an atractive woman I was guessing was about 32. I don’t think I ever lied, but I was doing my best to give the impression I was thirtyish, for obvious reasons. The conversation went really well for a long time, until we got on the subject, and I decided it was best to work the fact that I was 22 into the conversation, before I got backed into a hole. She got this really weird look on her face, and said she was 43, but had been trying to act young for the night. We kind of had an unspoken mutual decision to end the flirting. Not to say there is anything wrong with 43 year old women, but it’s just seemed way to wierd and Freudian for a 22 year old . ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/43 "2001-01-08T20:54:22Z")
Oh boy, have I got stories… When I was 22, a substitute teacher mistook me for a student in the _seventh-grade_ remedial reading class where I volunteered. Now, I probably looked 18. I could have passed for 15. But _twelve_?!? I’m 24 now, and have moved up to teaching 18-year-olds. I still look younger than most of them, although I’ve managed to avoid being mistaken for a student by adopting the grey-skirted hair-in-a-knot schoolmarm look. Quite a nuisance really. I can’t wait to look older so I can start dressing like a human being again. Waiters have been known to ask my age before serving me alcohol – _in the UK_. (Luckily they had the good grace to blush and apologize as soon as I told them; my passport was safely tucked away back at the hostel, and I doubt that an American university ID would pass as proof of identity over there.) This problem has disappeared since I started going about with a 40-year-old Brit who is quite obviously my partner, though we’re still waiting for somebody to mistake me for his daughter. My grandmother gave a party last month. One of her guests asked me whether I was in school, and how far along; I told him I was a first-year PhD student. Later I heard him wondering aloud to another guest how I could be a college _freshman_ and yet a PhD student. When I explained that I wasn’t an undergrad and in fact already had a master’s degree, I was rewarded with the most confused stare I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/44 "2001-01-08T21:27:37Z")
Well for me its not younger its older… When I was about 13 I think it was Dad took me and my younger brother cross country skiing. We rented our skis (we don’t own any) and the guy who fitted us thought I was my Dad’s _wife_ and my brother our _son_ :o I’ve also learned that people have thought my Mom was my brothers Grandma and that I was his mother (this wasn’t too long ago btw… but my brother now looks older. He could probably pass for about 18 and he’s 14. I don’t even think he shaves daily yet though…) Also whenever I go shopping I get stopped by those places for contests and credits cards and stuff for adults only. Here in Alberta I’m legal now though so I’m okay. I’ve never been carded but then I haven’t tried going to a bar yet. (Went to a casino on my birthday… its only been a few months since I became legal.) The only thing that bugs me is that I probably will be going silver by the time I’m about 30 (it runs in the family on Mom’s side) Ah well. I’ll take it when it comes to that. ---
**Author:** ![rockstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockstar)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/45 "2001-01-08T22:46:51Z")
Maybe I’m ageless but I’m 16 and mistaken to be anywhere between 12-24. It doesn’t bother me and I enjoy seeing the confused look on people’s faces. ---
**Author:** ![Quadzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/a4c791/32.png) [@Quadzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quadzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/46 "2001-01-09T05:06:58Z")
I’m short _and_ I have a kind-of baby face. I got my hair cut short this summer, and was pleasantly surprised when people commented, “Oh wow - you actually _look_ like you’re in college now!” (Okay, pleasantly surprised the first 2 or 3 times. After that it was just damn annoying.) So I go into a local jr. high school to tutor this semester, once a week during the second period of the school day. Without fail, the person working at the counter would look up and ask which class I needed a pass for as I was signing in. They were still skeptical when I pulled out my College of Education nametag. I know it’ll be nicer when I get older, but it’s just a bugger right now. Heh-heh… I’m waiting to try and go into the local porn store just for kicks one of these days. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cyndar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cyndar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyndar)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/47 "2001-01-09T05:27:34Z")
I’m short and I have a round, baby face. At 31, I can still pass for about 21. The only sign of age is small cluster of gray hairs. I don’t mind so much looking younger than I really am. It’s looking CHILD-LIKE that bugs me. I don’t look like a woman, I look like a little girl. And before I got my breast implants, it was even worse. Michi ---
**Author:** ![Nymysys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f6c823/32.png) [@Nymysys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nymysys)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/48 "2001-01-09T05:37:42Z")
I’ve been mistaken for 23 for a decade now. Well, I suppose it’s only been nine years, since I _was_ 23 for 365 of those days. Regardless, from 17 to 27 I _always_ heard 23. I don’t even play the “guess my age” game anymore. Too weird. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/49 "2001-01-09T05:58:06Z")
I’m pretty tall for a chick, so people used to assume I was older than I was when I was a kid. I’m 24 now so I guess I’ve grown into it. Though I’m way skinny so I guess it makes me look young. Always get carded to buy cigarettes, but never alcohol. Weird. I worked with this guy a while back and we used to hang out. He was really, really short, and dressed kind of like a high school kid/skater type. I had him pegged for my age; 22 or 23 at the time. Went out for drinks one night after work with him, and he got carded. He said “Watch this” and gave the waitress his license. She said “Oh my!” and handed it back. He handed it to me. He’s 36! Through the course of the evening I also learned he’s got 2 kids, the oldest is like 13! I was floored. I never would have guessed he was even remotely close to 30. ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Hole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Black\_Hole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Hole)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/50 "2001-01-09T14:11:03Z")
One of the great parts about sleeping with Cyndar, I must say, is getting to fantasize that she’s a young, nubile 11th grader who’s been a bad girl and is in detention. She can pull that look off. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/51 "2001-01-09T14:27:26Z")
I think some people are just stupid and have no clue. A few years ago when I was going to college, I went to a store during the day to buy some stuff. The lady on line in front of me says “shouldn’t you be in school?” I say “No, I don’t have any classes today.” She says “School is closed?” I say, “No, I go to college.” I don’t even look young. I was disappointed when I went to buy alcohol for a New Years Party this year and they didn’t even look at me funny or ask for ID. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/52 "2001-01-09T15:41:41Z")
Been on both sides of this. Young face, usually taken for younger until 16, and at that it was a growth spurt that prevented most guesses of 12. Lost my hair in late 20’s, then was taken for older than I was. Guesses are better now. ``` WhiteRabbit, would it make you feel better to remember driver's license ages vary WIDELY around the country? Without a drivers' ed program, in NYC it's 18. With it, 17. ``` Of course, some people never bother to get one here, either. ---
**Author:** ![LazarusLong42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@LazarusLong42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LazarusLong42)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/53 "2001-01-09T16:35:52Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Tygr \* > **Funny story: one of the only times I WAS carded, I was at the grocery store buying a six-pack \*\*\* of IBC ROOT BEER!** _ At that point, I couldn’t decide who was the bigger loser, me or the check-out girl.\*\* ROTFL!! I was once told that I couldn’t buy a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling juice… because it was Sunday. (In my home state, where this occurred, there are no sales of alcohol greater than a certain percentage on Sundays.) I nearly thwapped the cashier over the head with the bottle. I also run the gamut of age. I frequently am mistaken for older by people who know me well enough to know my personality but don’t know my age (once, a pair of friends down the hall in the dorm thought I was around 23–an _old_ junior/senior–when I was, in fact, seventeen). And yet, if I shave (one of the things I hate doing–I swear I’m going to get my face electrolysed one day) I look around 18 to many people (I’m 22). Go figure. LL ---
**Author:** ![shell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@shell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/54 "2001-01-09T16:45:18Z")
I have the same problem whiterabbit. I am 35 and just last week a 14 year old asked me what high school I attend and tried to ask me out. Most of the time this misunderstanding is flattering, but sometimes people become either defensive or rude when told my actual age. What gets to me most is that I should accept this behavior as a compliment (“Gee, you really should be happy that you look so young”). It’s not the compliment that pisses me off, it’s the disrespect these bozos have. Yeah, I know I look young but it doesn’t give someone license to treat me like a child. Some comback suggestions… If people are nasty about asking me how I manage to look so young I tell them clean living and if they’re really nasty, I tell them I sold my soul to satan. Heheh. ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2001, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871/55 "2001-01-10T02:08:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lamar Mundane \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by TruePisces:_ > > Didn’t say a word. Just took out my license, and waited for it to register on his face before I said “ **Vodka and coke, please.** ” > > Am I the only one who felt the bile rising after reading this? > > I would have refused to serve you also, based only on your choice of drink. > > Yeech! > > \*\* Don’t knock it 'til you’ve tried it! It’s pretty much all I drank for the longest time… because I could get the vodka inexpensively and I’ve never been daring enough to try straight shots. TruePisces [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-god-why/48871.md?page=2)