Are you open about your age?

[atroop711]

Happy BDAY!!!

I don''t hide my age. I''m 41 and will be 42 in May. Doesn''t bother me...I''m told I look younger than my age. Even if I wanted to hide my age, my children ALWAYS OUT ME

 

[whitby_2773]

Date: 2/25/2010 12:54:02 PM
Author: monarch64
Nah, I''m not protective of my age at all. To me, being guarded about it is giving others control.

this. exactly. to me, ''age'' is like ''name'' - so what? personally, i value openness, and don''t much see the point of mystery at work. i think, too, if there''s a big diff between the ages of you and your SO, it''s much more likely to give rise to gossip and speculation behind your back if you keep that information obviously hidden than if you were simply up front about it as tho it was no big deal. but if what you want is just to remain completely shrouded and unknown - i dont know - most people like a degree of cohesion when they have much to do with another person, and walls against even common sharing of info can put people on the back foot. i actually think being mysterious and ''concealed'' gives rise to curiosity, rather than the reverse; i tend to share info as a way of damping down interest.

to give some small context - my mother was 12 years older than my father - at a time when this was VERY unusual. she tried to keep this info hidden as long as i knew her, and i always thought it was odd and kind of..i dont know - ''not proud''? i dont mean humble - i mean more...as tho her age had somehow sort of beaten her into a corner. she was hugely successful in many areas of her life, but this one issue seemed to me to have the better of her.

i certainly wouldn''t lead with "hi - my name''s joflier and i''m 27 (or whatever) years old" - but i think giving people basic information about ourselves if we have ongoing contact with them is sort of a mark of trust, which indicates respect. it also says we''re ok with who we are.

and so what if you''re young compared to your level of success - this is the professional holy grail, no? tell people your age and, if they seem surprised, say with a big smile "yes, i am a wunderkind; it''s my cross to bear."

as regards sharing my age with people as i get older... i was very ill for some months in my early 30''s and almost died. to me, each year is now like a triumph.

i''m 49 - YAY!

 

[Lauren8211]

I''m open in the sense that if you ask, I''ll tell you, but I don''t really announce it either.

I still get carded for movies... soo... that should tell you I look pretty young.

I''m 27, so I really don''t mind if people ask me... yet.!

 

[whitby_2773]

Date: 2/25/2010 2:07:53 PM
Author: atroop711
Happy BDAY!!!


I don''t hide my age. I''m 41 and will be 42 in May. Doesn''t bother me...I''m told I look younger than my age. Even if I wanted to hide my age, my children ALWAYS OUT ME

yes my dear, but you''re beautiful. if i were you, i''d be telling my age to complete strangers on the street!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I am open about my age. I look younger than I am which of course makes me happy.

Happy Birthday!!!

 

[icekid]

My (current) age and people knowing it does not bother me at all (which is 28 presently, but ask me again in 10 years

) However, my patients often tell me I look 21 which probably does not make them comfortable with me taking care of them. So I gladly tell them that my age exceeds my appearance. The things I do for my patients, right?

Happy birthday, jo!

 

[yssie]

I'm 23 and look 18, FI is 23 and looks 26, so together we often get those questioning looks

.

I really have to take care to dress appropriately for work and such, though. It's amazing how with the right shirt, a mirror and a makeup case one can age years in minutes.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Happy Birthday, Jo!!!!!!!

I don''t guard things like age. Or that I''m older than my husband by 3.5 years.

I find that it''s nothing other than a marker as to how long you''ve been on the earth, and keeping it some big secret opens yourself up to all kinds of backhanded compliments when the information is eventually leaked.

 

[joflier]

Date: 2/25/2010 2:09:29 PM
Author: whitby_2773

Date: 2/25/2010 12:54:02 PM
Author: monarch64
Nah, I''m not protective of my age at all. To me, being guarded about it is giving others control.

this. exactly. to me, ''age'' is like ''name'' - so what? personally, i value openness, and don''t much see the point of mystery at work. i think, too, if there''s a big diff between the ages of you and your SO, it''s much more likely to give rise to gossip and speculation behind your back if you keep that information obviously hidden than if you were simply up front about it as tho it was no big deal. but if what you want is just to remain completely shrouded and unknown - i dont know - most people like a degree of cohesion when they have much to do with another person, and walls against even common sharing of info can put people on the back foot. i actually think being mysterious and ''concealed'' gives rise to curiosity, rather than the reverse; i tend to share info as a way of damping down interest.

to give some small context - my mother was 12 years older than my father - at a time when this was VERY unusual. she tried to keep this info hidden as long as i knew her, and i always thought it was odd and kind of..i dont know - ''not proud''? i dont mean humble - i mean more...as tho her age had somehow sort of beaten her into a corner. she was hugely successful in many areas of her life, but this one issue seemed to me to have the better of her.

i certainly wouldn''t lead with ''hi - my name''s joflier and i''m 27 (or whatever) years old'' - but i think giving people basic information about ourselves if we have ongoing contact with them is sort of a mark of trust, which indicates respect. it also says we''re ok with who we are.

and so what if you''re young compared to your level of success - this is the professional holy grail, no? tell people your age and, if they seem surprised, say with a big smile ''yes, i am a wunderkind; it''s my cross to bear.''

as regards sharing my age with people as i get older... i was very ill for some months in my early 30''s and almost died. to me, each year is now like a triumph.

i''m 49 - YAY!

Interesting story about your folks.....Got me thinking. I''m not insecure about our age difference. At least, I don''t think I am. But he is. So I guess maybe I''m being protective about it for his feelings. And I guess I really don''t have to, being he''s the one that spilled the beans.

 

[whitby_2773]

Date: 2/25/2010 2:49:43 PM
Author: joflier


Interesting story about your folks.....Got me thinking. I'm not insecure about our age difference. At least, I don't think I am. But he is. So I guess maybe I'm being protective about it for his feelings. And I guess I really don't have to, being he's the one that spilled the beans.

got it - and i completely understand. but - yes - if he's announcing it to groups of people at a time, i don't think you need to be concerned. most men are *thrilled* to be seen to have snagged a beautiful, younger woman

and happy birthday, joflier - i hope your upcoming year is a great one!

ETA sorry about the edits - took me a while to get that quote box where i wanted it to be....

 

[purrfectpear]

Sorry Jo, but when you''re insecure about your age at work, you actually might not be mature enough for the job...otherwise you''d believe in your ability and dare anyone to make a big deal out of it. Skill speaks for itself

I was managing two AV rated law firms when I was only 25 and even the secretaries were older. No big deal, and no hiding of my age.

 

[Laila619]

Happy birthday!

I don''t really like to share my age all that much with co-workers. Not because I''m old or anything (I''m only in my 20s) but because I''m a private person I guess.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I will tell if asked, but I don''t volunteer because I''m younger than most people in my class. People don''t usually ask because they see my wedding set and probably just figure I''m in the older age range for a med student since I''m married (which is an assumption I''m happy to let them hold onto since I think people prefer their health professionals to be older).

When people don''t see my rings though, they sometimes think I''m 15...

 

[joflier]

Thanks for all the bday wishes, everyone! Gave me a big smile!

 

[waterlilly]

Happy B-day!

I honestly will never understand why anyone would lie or hide their age - why do that??! Be proud of who you are!

I have a friend that lies and doesn''t know I know her real age. I''m so annoyed by it but don''t say anything. I''d love for her to just be honest. So fricken what she is 8 years older than the rest of us in our group, I just want to shake her her say "be proud of it and share that life experience with us instead of pretending!"

Anytime anyone refuses to tell their age, I instantly look at them differently - it''s like they''ve revealed this big weakness in their character or something.

 

[bee*]

Happy birthday!

I''m totally open about my age-I''m not a very secretive person anyway so it doesn''t bother me at all who knows what age I am. People normally think I''m about 23 when I''m 28 so if they ask I''ll tell them.

 

[packrat]

I''m pretty open about almost everything. Age, weight, doesn''t matter to me.

 

[kenny]

I share my age range to be honest but protect my privacy by not posting my exact age or year of birth.
I'm low the 50s.

I'm almost certainly closer to death than birth.
No biggie.
Only the lucky get old.

 

[kittybean]

Happy birthday, Jo!

I''m open about my age. At work, I think most of my clients feel relieved once they hear it--I''ve been told I look like a high school senior on a good day.

 

[zoebartlett]

I'm open about my age. I'm really short (under 5'), and a lot of people think I'm younger than I really am because of that. Since moving to the south, I get called "ma'am" (sp?) a lot. I don't really like it because it makes me feel old, but I'm getting used to it.



ETA: Happy birthday Jo!!

 

[Steel]

No.

My age is not anybody elses beeswax. Mind your business folks!

In an increasingly PC world, I wonder why a body''s age is not highly confidential for fear of discrimination.

 

[lulu]

I just don''t get being secretive about your age. I''ve always been open about it.

 

[Kaleigh]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JO!!!

I have always been open about my age. I just celebrated my 48th bday. When I am out with DD many people think we are sisters She''s 21. I think it''s a stretch. but we get that all the time.. It always makes me smile.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 2/25/2010 2:49:43 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 2/25/2010 2:09:29 PM

Author: whitby_2773

Date: 2/25/2010 12:54:02 PM

Author: monarch64

Nah, I''m not protective of my age at all. To me, being guarded about it is giving others control.

this. exactly. to me, ''age'' is like ''name'' - so what? personally, i value openness, and don''t much see the point of mystery at work. i think, too, if there''s a big diff between the ages of you and your SO, it''s much more likely to give rise to gossip and speculation behind your back if you keep that information obviously hidden than if you were simply up front about it as tho it was no big deal. but if what you want is just to remain completely shrouded and unknown - i dont know - most people like a degree of cohesion when they have much to do with another person, and walls against even common sharing of info can put people on the back foot. i actually think being mysterious and ''concealed'' gives rise to curiosity, rather than the reverse; i tend to share info as a way of damping down interest.


to give some small context - my mother was 12 years older than my father - at a time when this was VERY unusual. she tried to keep this info hidden as long as i knew her, and i always thought it was odd and kind of..i dont know - ''not proud''? i dont mean humble - i mean more...as tho her age had somehow sort of beaten her into a corner. she was hugely successful in many areas of her life, but this one issue seemed to me to have the better of her.


i certainly wouldn''t lead with ''hi - my name''s joflier and i''m 27 (or whatever) years old'' - but i think giving people basic information about ourselves if we have ongoing contact with them is sort of a mark of trust, which indicates respect. it also says we''re ok with who we are.


and so what if you''re young compared to your level of success - this is the professional holy grail, no? tell people your age and, if they seem surprised, say with a big smile ''yes, i am a wunderkind; it''s my cross to bear.''


as regards sharing my age with people as i get older... i was very ill for some months in my early 30''s and almost died. to me, each year is now like a triumph.


i''m 49 - YAY!

Interesting story about your folks.....Got me thinking. I''m not insecure about our age difference. At least, I don''t think I am. But he is. So I guess maybe I''m being protective about it for his feelings. And I guess I really don''t have to, being he''s the one that spilled the beans.

He DID spill the beans, so it must be sort of comforting to know that he''s more secure about the age difference than you thought! A very happy birthday to you, Jodi! Life is just full of uncharted waters, I think you''re doing a good job of navigating them.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Oh god no - I am not at all protective about my age. But I also have no aspirations to be a woman of mystery. My life is an open book and I like it that way. I like being authentic and letting it all hang out. I''ll be 40 in May and whether that is young or old to someone makes no difference at all on my reality. I kinda prefer to relish in my reality rather than hide it. If you are young and brilliant - why not let it be known? If there is an age gap in your relationship - who cares? Are you ashamed of it? Then what does it matter? Why do you want to be mysterious? Do you secretly fear you are too mundane?

 

[Maisie]

I''m totally open about my age but I''m considering counting backwards from my next birthday!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Happy Birthday

so... how old ARE you? hahaha (kidding)

 

[joflier]

Date: 2/25/2010 8:04:40 PM
Author: Cehrabehra
Oh god no - I am not at all protective about my age. But I also have no aspirations to be a woman of mystery. My life is an open book and I like it that way. I like being authentic and letting it all hang out. I''ll be 40 in May and whether that is young or old to someone makes no difference at all on my reality. I kinda prefer to relish in my reality rather than hide it. If you are young and brilliant - why not let it be known? If there is an age gap in your relationship - who cares? Are you ashamed of it? Then what does it matter? Why do you want to be mysterious? Do you secretly fear you are too mundane?

Cuz it''ll make things much more interesting when I write my memoir.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 2/25/2010 4:28:53 PM
Author: waterlilly
Happy B-day!


I honestly will never understand why anyone would lie or hide their age - why do that??! Be proud of who you are!


I have a friend that lies and doesn''t know I know her real age. I''m so annoyed by it but don''t say anything. I''d love for her to just be honest. So fricken what she is 8 years older than the rest of us in our group, I just want to shake her her say ''be proud of it and share that life experience with us instead of pretending!''


Anytime anyone refuses to tell their age, I instantly look at them differently - it''s like they''ve revealed this big weakness in their character or something.

I''m afraid I''m comming off as too harsh in this thread - Whitby said a lot of what I think so elegantly and tactfully. And what you said in this last line is also what I tend to think - though not so much a weakness in their character as I much as I just feel turned off. This thread has me turned off and I don''t want to feel turned off! I want to feel turned on! hahaha (okay I''m in a funny mood today)

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 2/25/2010 8:06:38 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 2/25/2010 8:04:40 PM

Author: Cehrabehra

Oh god no - I am not at all protective about my age. But I also have no aspirations to be a woman of mystery. My life is an open book and I like it that way. I like being authentic and letting it all hang out. I''ll be 40 in May and whether that is young or old to someone makes no difference at all on my reality. I kinda prefer to relish in my reality rather than hide it. If you are young and brilliant - why not let it be known? If there is an age gap in your relationship - who cares? Are you ashamed of it? Then what does it matter? Why do you want to be mysterious? Do you secretly fear you are too mundane?

Cuz it''ll make things much more interesting when I write my memoir.

lmao!! See? you have too much good personality - don''t be mysterious! ::footstomp::