“So, how old ARE you?”
This was not the first time I’ve been asked this. Being a young teacher, this was a common question, usually from parents who were 10-15 years older than me. Now, being self-employed and meeting new people all of the time, I find the same question is common. This happened just recently to me in two different situations. In one situation Jason and I were the youngest two by about 10-15 years, at a table for a business dinner. Of all of the questions and topics to bring up at dinner, apparently our age “made the cut.” I should take it as a compliment, but the tone of the questioner uses does not typically allow me to take it as such.
I have to be honest, I HATE that question.
Having a business in which we are encouraging others to change the way they think and act, we are an easy target for this question. “What could we possibly know about Adulthood, let alone “Escaping Adulthood?”
You know by looking at me that I am not 45. So, whether I am 26 or 36, what does it matter? I love, too, how this question is somehow appropriate to ask someone younger that you, but rude if you ask someone older than you. Can you imagine? I’m sitting next to someone twice my age at a business dinner. I lean over, crinkle my nose and ask, “So, how old ARE you?”
We ALL belong.
Our age should not matter.
Jason reminded me of this verse which is encouraging in these situations.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Amen to that!
Marilyn says
You’ll hate it even more when you’re that person “twice your age” HA!!
Jennifer says
I totally agree that chronological age does not mean much. Knowing someone’s age does very little to help you know that person.
Jesse says
I always hated the question and avoided it like the plague. When I started my company I was 19. Let me tell you… this was not a number perspective clinets liked to hear. However.. now that I’m 25 (well.. on tuesday ;) ) I don’t have such a problem with it as this now seems to be an acceptable age to the average 40-60something business man/woman… assuming you have something to back up your talk with. However… I always thought it was amusing in my business to be judged by people who know nothing about my industry based on my age. Also funny how there is such a fine line between young genius / guru and inexperienced kid. I think I will start answering that question with the “How old are YOU?” LOL [end ramble]
Mike McCoy says
I was working my first partime job and They were taalking adout JFK assasination on the anerversity. I mention that I was in therd grade at the time and one of the HIgh school help told me she read about it in her hisory class.
I did not metion history again to this kids.