# “You’re the youngest person I know at your level/rank/position!” How to respond? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438 "2018-02-23T22:25:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/21 "2018-02-25T13:54:51Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Historical legacy is the shortest answer. \*\*ywtf \*\*any thoughts on the ideas? I really like **don’t ask** ’s “well, someone has to be,” but am interested in your thoughts on my basic comment of holding back to let them share more. ? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/22 "2018-02-25T23:01:05Z")
I appreciate all the ideas. If I had to pick which one seems the most natural and apropos, I’d go with “well, whaddya know?” “Ain’t that something?” is probably what I’ll try out next time. As far as holding back and letting them share more, I guess if they volunteer more, then that’s ok. But I’m not all that interested in sussing out their perspective especially if 1) that means prolonging the encounter and 2) they’re fishing for an explanation for my age and rank. Because I mean, really, what’s a person supposed to say to that? I slept my way to the top? A few times I’ve asked them how old they think I am and usually early 30’s is the response. Then I tell them I’m 40 and they’re like ok, you don’t look like it! And I shrug and say thanks again and try to end the conversation quickly so I can return to my rich inner world. From this I’ve learned I really would prefer to not draw out the exchange longer than is necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/23 "2018-02-26T03:12:05Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > “I’m actually very very old, but you know what they say. Black don’t crack.” Especially if you’re not black. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/24 "2018-02-26T03:37:01Z")
How about, “No, I’m not”, and firmly change the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/25 "2018-02-26T03:43:16Z")
“This isn’t actually my uniform, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.” ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/26 "2018-02-26T03:54:15Z")
My response is kinda the same as others here. “Thanx for noticing.” And move on. Just as if they said “Hey that shirt looks great on you”… it’s just a compliment.😃 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/27 "2018-02-26T10:54:56Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > As far as holding back and letting them share more, I guess if they volunteer more, then that’s ok. But I’m not all that interested in sussing out their perspective especially if 1) that means prolonging the encounter and 2) they’re fishing for an explanation for my age and rank. Because I mean, really, what’s a person supposed to say to that? I slept my way to the top? All good. Yeah, I am assuming that that vast majority who say this are just passing by, but occasionally they may be someone new in your orbit. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/28 "2018-02-26T14:41:01Z")
If you’re not really super-young for the rank, then I’d also work up some variation of “I’m older than I look”; could be useful if you sense any trace of jealousy or ‘who are you to tell me what to do’ attitude. Being jealous of your youthful looks is better than being jealous of extraordinary promotion. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/29 "2018-02-26T16:14:01Z")
I’m another baby-faced female: my response to such types of statements is usually just an upbeat, quick “okay…” (which implies “what’s your point?”). Always said with a smile, to make it clear that I’m not offended or annoyed or whatever, but with a touch of faux confusion. A lot can be communicated with a simple “okay.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/30 "2018-02-26T16:58:57Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > 1. I usually say “Thanks” and just leave it at that. But then I get to thinking: its not really a compliment to call someone young. It would be like thanking someone for saying you’re tall. > [@msmith537](#): > > The complement is that you achieved your rank while you were young. Not that you are young. I mean…unless you managed to STAY young for 50 years. So…good job keeping your Dorian Gray painting safe. Aaaaannnnd, there’s your response. _“You ought to come check out the painting in my attic.”_ As a bonus, if you say it with a Mr. Bean grin, they might just contrive to never speak directly to you again… BTW, I’ve never seen a uniformed member of the USPHS, and supposed that they usually go around in mufti. Except C. Everett Koop, and subsequent Surgeons General. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/31 "2018-02-26T17:22:27Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > BTW, I’ve never seen a uniformed member of the USPHS, and supposed that they usually go around in mufti. Except C. Everett Koop, and subsequent Surgeons General. I seem to recall back around the turn of the century, there was a push to try and get PHS officers to wear their uniforms at work. I didn’t start at HHS until the late '90s, so I can’t say what it was like before that. I do see uniformed PHS officers around the office occasionally now, but there aren’t that many of them in our agency. I used to look very young for my age and position… and then it caught up with me, and I think I moved to “looks pretty good” for my age. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/32 "2018-02-26T17:25:47Z")
“Well, I’m damn good at my job.” ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/33 "2018-02-27T00:33:39Z")
\*\*“You’re the youngest person I know at your level/rank/position!” How to respond? \*\* “And I’m the best, too!” ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/34 "2018-02-28T20:44:45Z")
Assuming this is something that just started happening, congratulations on your promotion, **you with the face**! Through the wizardry of utilizing my military experience, the fact that I work on a Navy base in DC, and the information that you’ve revealed in this thread, I will deduce your rank: You are an O-6. Am I correct? If so, this is how I’ve deduced it: I’ve seen O-4s as young as 30, and O-5s as young as 35 or so. I’ve never known an O-6 under 40, but I’d presume it’s possible, and most O-6s I’ve known have been 45 or older. Promotion might work differently in the US Public Health Service, but I’d presume that most folks saying this to you are military veterans (or have worked in military offices) and thus would be going by military promotion rates. You could be higher than an O-6, but there can’t be that many flag officers in such a small service, I’m assuming, so O-6 seems like the wiser guess. Also, do you work in the big giant USDA building? If so, I wonder if you’ve ever bumped into my spouse. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/35 "2018-02-28T21:51:52Z")
I’m impressed by your detective skills. It is possible I know your spouse. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/36 "2018-02-28T22:19:50Z")
PM sent! ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/37 "2018-02-28T22:40:35Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > You are an O-6. _applause_! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438/38 "2018-02-28T23:31:40Z")
Now tell her how you know her sister is a marine biologist, Sherlock. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-the-youngest-person-i-know-at-your-level-rank-position-how-to-respond/809438.md?page=1)