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?

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!

Ugh that does sound so annoying for you OP! I hate when people go on about age (younger or older). I would definitely say this, let her know you don’t appreciate it 😊She will probably (hopefully) shut up after that!

I'd honestly spin it straight back at her and ask if she needs support because she appears to be really insecure about her lack of age and experience - after all constantly referencing your age couldn't possibly be because she's being rude.

Oh god I had a friend like this

Note the word "had"

I mean does this person not think she'll age as well? I don't get the mindset 🤦‍♀️

Well last time, I said 'you'll be 30something one day too!' And she said 'but not right now 😁'

Bully for her, I suppose?

I would do her a favour and take her aside and tell her she is coming across as rude and immature and the way she is talking is inappropriate. Tell her she needs to work on her professional maturity. Hopefully she'll have a think and shut up. These people only continue acting like dick heads because know one tells them they're being dick heads!

"One day you too will be my age. With any luck you'll have grown up by then..."

you shoudl turn it around,
oh, you are too young
so young
etc,

Good thing about ageing is - it happens to everyone!

Colleague is showing her immaturity and should therefore be spoken to in a patronising tone at every opportunity.

I guess she will be one of these people who turn 30 and freak out completely.

It's her problem not yours. I'd just ignore her stupid comments as it's a work place. I'd probably not spend excess time with her and I'd just get on with the work and ignore the comments.

For people who are quite self-obsessed being ignored is akin to pain so you can basically train her to stop by ignoring it each time.

I am similar age and work with people 18-24, they don't really do this. I think your colleague is either naiive/careless in how they're speaking, or intentionally trying to offend you.

I'd just say "getting older is a privilege because the alternative is, well, not getting older."

Honestly having known someone close to my die at a young age I love absolutely every single year that goes by and am grateful for more time on this planet!

I've worked with plenty who have done this to me. When I was 26 a 21 year old said I was jealous because she was so young. I certainly wasn't, I had done plenty more at that age. I'm in my mid 30s now and someone 8 years younger than me does this. Everything you mention from the past she'll act all embarrassed then explain how young she was when it happened. Aye mate I was at school too, there's not that big an age gap!!

On the Uber Eats thing, I collect more often because delivery takes forever and I'm only a 15 minute walk, I like walking. I use it when I feel lazy though.

It's a young person thing but I'd expect the young person to grow out of it around 12...

Get to 37 and work in a school. You start getting mentioned in the same breath as their Grandma.

Definitely a rude person thing, not a young person thing…

I agree with calling her out on it - especially if you can do it in a condescending or witty way… (sorry, I don’t have any original lines to offer)
I like the one about tastes changing and improving with maturity…
And calling her ‘ageist’

But I do think you should try and nip it in the bud, while you still find it on the milder side on irritating - it will wind you up more if she continues

My younger cousins who live in a city also cannot comprehend this either - we don't have ubereats in my little town and that blows their minds!

Turn her age commentary against her.

DO grow up.
Thank goodness, I've reached maturity.
Maybe you'll grow out of it.
You sound like a silly little girl.
20, and still haven't learned any manners.

Early 30's I worked in a school. Talking to a few students about the Red phone boxes (can't remember why)

They genuinely thought I was talking about a cardboard red box that a mobile is packed into.

Felt about 99 years old!

I'd be so tempted to pat her on the head and say "oh bless your heart!"

Turn it around on her and say the same thing "it's your age" Implying she's too young. 😂

Its ageism and she needs to shut up before you get HR involved. She may be feeling insecure due to a lack of experience as well as maturity.

Firstly you are not old and secondly she has no manners. She obviously feels inferior or she wouldn't keep saying it.
Don't talk to her so much. Next time she says it tell her she is rude.

It seems like an issue with her own maturity, insecurity and life experience rather than one of age.

It obviously makes her feel better about herself and boosts her ego in some way, which is a shame really. I would just say something like "you mention that a lot - do you perceive being older as a negative?" (and wait for her to panic about ageism in the workplace) Or "you mention that a lot -there really aren't that many years between us. I'd prefer it if you stopped"

I expect she'll be embarrassed and stop if you bring it up at all anyway OP. She can't legitimately justify it so will only look silly.

Well I’m 50, and don’t hear that often tbh. But, when I do I just remind them that my generation invented most tech and the internet and so I can cope just fine :)