Is this a young person thing?

[Catmemes]

I've just turned 34 and my colleague is 20. I'm not by any means the oldest person who works there but most of our colleagues are male, which may be relevant. Anyway, we get on fine but she likes to take ANY opportunity to bring up the fact that she's much younger than me, the implication being that getting older is a really negative thing. I've never given any indication that I feel old or 'past it,' it's not something I really think about (without these weird reminders 😄) and she never says stuff like this to the men there.

Vague example: she'll talk about something she likes and I'll say I prefer something else and she'll say 'that's because of your AGE.'

What's the point?

That’s annoying op. No idea why she would do this other than to be a bit mean?

And of course you’re not old at all at your age

its not a young thing. She’s just rude. When I was that age I never said things like that to women older than me in the office.

Maybe she’s jealous of you. Perhaps you’re better looking even at the grand old age of 34. 😉

I'm not offended or anything, I'm definitely too old for that but I'm wondering if she thinks all women should be troubled by ageing or something. It's so odd.

its not a young thing. She’s just rude. When I was that age I never said things like that to women older than me in the office.

Me neither! I mean, it generally happens to most of us. 😄

I do think some younger people use age of colleagues as a negative . I work with someone who never fails at any opportunity to remind us no-one in the workplace should be over 40. Retirement is 40 in his mind as we seriously have nothing to offer after then
Personally I think he's pretty dim

Tell her next time say something along the lines of "well when you're older and more experienced you will understand, it's because you're still immature at your age". That will shut her up! Or point out straight she is being ageist - she won't mention it again as young people hate to be called out on that kinda stuff!

Wow, he is not going to cope well with getting old.

I personally love the ' you're over 40, so anything IT related goes way over your head'
I can't roll my eyes enough

You could be blunt and observe that many men prefer thirty something women or older. Not just French Presidents.

Vague example: she'll talk about something she likes and I'll say I prefer something else and she'll say 'that's because of your AGE.'

I would be tempted to say something along the lines of "Well, yes, I find that I do have better taste now that I'm older."

I don't think it is a young person thing. I think it is a rude person thing.

Yes, exactly this.

I'm a health care assistant aged 45, Im one of the younger women working on my ward actually although I do have a fairly new male colleague aged 21 who thinks he knows everything and tells us all about how when he leaves to train to be a dr in a few weeks it will be for a 'proper job' (thanks, then)...

It’s just pathetic boasting, isn’t it? Look at ME, I’m so YOUNG and look at all I have ACHIEVED.

Twats everywhere do it. Look closely at most reality shows with a competitive element, e.g. The Apprentice, and they are all at it. Look at ME, just 23 years old and an entrepreneur (in my head), tell me I’m marvellous, go on, tell me I’m great and much better than you!

of course it’s insecurity and an over-inflated ego. You just have to feel sorry for them.

We’re watching ‘Is it Cake?’ at the moment and there’s one of them on there. I’m just a COLLEGE student, I’m so YOUNG, I’ve never heard of a Walkman, don’t mention the fact that I’m deeply weird.

We’re watching ‘Is it Cake?’ at the moment and there’s one of them on there. I’m just a COLLEGE student, I’m so YOUNG, I’ve never heard of a Walkman, don’t mention the fact that I’m deeply weird.

Yes, I thought the same!

Bless her heart, she does realise that she's not getting any younger, doesn't she?

My age? Oh yes it's nice to be more mature and experienced, I also had all kinds of funny ideas when I was young. But hopefully you will learn as well!

DH and I do a game during ‘Is it Cake?’ where we have a drink every time the tiresome Justin makes reference to his youth. We were well away after the ‘garage sale’ episode and I am sorry to say that we cheered when the needy idiot was eliminated for the poor quality cocoa rust on his tackle box.

I am the same age as you and have a niece who's 10 years younger than me who does the exact same thing. Any opportunity and no subtlety at all 😂.
It does make me feel sad though as I worry she gets her self esteem from being younger than others (at work as well) which obviously won't last!

However I agree with PP that it's definitely more of a rude/insecure person thing rather than a general young person thing.

We were talking about Uber Eats the other day and woman in 30s said "I just go and collect my takeaway". Young person said "that's an older generation thing" completely serious, really confused when we laughed at her.

Bloody hell 😆 I work with people 15+ years older than me and I really don't consider it, there just isn't much difference in the way we do things. I don't remember thinking 30+ was ancient when I was in my late teens!

Just wait until you get mentioned only in reference to their mum

I think you just have to come back with comments to shut her up

I like BTS
I like Take That
That's your age!
Yes I guess Good taste comes with maturity

Well I'm with her on that one tbh! Going to collect a takeaway seems extremely quaint to me, something my parents do.

I think if she does it again, I'll just say I've never known anyone who brings up my age so much because it's true!