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?

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 :)

I think you will find that the Baby Boomer generation (and even earlier) had quite a bit to do with the invention of the internet and much of the tech we use today. For example, Sir Tim Berners-Lee is a Boomer.

I love the way she thinks bring you h is some kind of achievement. When in fact the opposite is true

I love the way she thinks being young is some kind of achievement. When in fact the opposite is true.

A colleague was doing this to me, she is about 16 years younger but we get on well, both very interested in fashion and make up so lots to chat about, however she did bring up my age a lot. I think she is somebody who enjoys “banter” and was searching for something she could joke with me over.
I just replied “better than the alternative” every time she brought my age up.
She’s stopped now and we get on great.
It did really sting though, especially as I was hitting 40 at the time.

It’s a rude person thing.

saying that, 20 is very young so she probably still hasn’t twigged that people don’t miraculously change when they age.
I was really anxious about stuff at that age and getting older (which is hilarious) so maybe that’s why.

This is a good idea. Or speak to HR and get someone else to do it. It's annoying and not appropriate.

I'd also want to ask her whether she has plans not to get older and if so, how does she plan to do that?

I have someone who does similar - she is a total of 4 months younger than me and age obsessed !!

Sounds like a little gobshite to me. Just remind her 14 year olds see her as old.

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

I'd take her to one side and say exactly that.

That's a good one!

She's weird! No, it's not a young person thing. I've worked with plenty of young people who never even mention age.

When I was 20 I worked in an office where my favourite 3 people were 33, 45 and 46. We used to have such a laugh and they came out with me on my 21st with my other friends. I never even thought about their age!

You should say, mildly enough, ‘It’s rude to say things like that, you know - didn’t your mother teach you any manners?’

I'd say a bit of both. I work with a few 20-22 year olds and they always go on about being the youngest. I'm 26! 😂

I think it's a mix of insecurity about experience and the whole Gen Z/ Millenial divide on social media making them think there's a big difference between those 25+ and those

No, it's not a young person thing, it's a her being a bitch thing. Tell her to pack it in. You don't have to take this disrespect from a younger colleague.

Can't you just say 'you're getting tedious please shut up'?

Dc have always collected their take aways.

it’s not an age thing. It is an address thing

Uber eats don’t deliver to our address

I’d tilt my head to one side, smile and then utter the phrase, “ahh the arrogance of youth.” Every time she says something ageist.

Just say to her, with age comes maturity, you'll get there one day.

Getting older is better than the alternative. We really are agist in this country. Mature people have plenty to offer, including life experience and common sense ( mostly).