to want to look older

[54321nought]

I am about to retire, and still getting mistaken for 30s/early 40s, and occasionally 20s.

This is not a good situation to be in, as people constantly misjudge me in all sorts of ways. I am nowhere near as strong as people expect me to be, and have far more professional experience.

I don't have any grey hair, and have never died my hair, but I am considering dying it grey before the new term

Lucky you!

I kind of know what you mean. People often say I look 10 years younger than my real age and still get id'd for alcohol even though I'm 43. I look even younger on zoom calls. I am starting to get more grey coming through so maybe this will change soon.

Most of the time it's an advantage but I sometimes get the impression that people think I don't have any useful contributions or ideas to give at work and are surprised when I say something that shows I know what I'm talking about. I get mansplained to a lot as well.

Have you thought about the clothes you wear if you want to look older? I tend to look youngest when wearing a hoodie, jeans and trainers.

I sometimes get offered a high chair in cafes even though I'm in my fifties ...

Count your blessings. I suggest stress, stress and more stress if you really want to look older.
Leave your hair be and accept yourself. Who cares what others think .

How old are you?

@FunnyWonder

I sometimes get offered a high chair in cafes even though I'm in my fifties ...

What do you mean by strong ?

@FunnyWonder

I sometimes get offered a high chair in cafes even though I'm in my fifties ...

Lmao 🤣

Are you darker skinned? If so I think not wearing make up / cutting hair if it’s long etc might help. If you’re lighter skinned then I think, with the greatest of respect, that they are probably being polite.

YANBU, I know what you mean.

I've been mistaken for a student / intern when I was management - not helpful when you're trying to deal with external stakeholders. It hasn't helped my career.

Went self employed, started my own business, and still got a load of patronising comments / looks as people assumed I was an assistant.

Also not helpful when you're trying to be taken seriously with pretty much anyone, anywhere.

@FunnyWonder that's nothing. I went outside yesterday and my neighbour tried to pop me in a sling.

😂😂😂

Aren't you going to post a photo @54321nought asking 'how old do I look?'

[quote ValidUser]@FunnyWonder that's nothing. I went outside yesterday and my neighbour tried to pop me in a sling.[/quote]
😂

@FunnyWonder

I sometimes get offered a high chair in cafes even though I'm in my fifties ...

I was a bit upset the other day and started crying in a cafe. A woman came up to me and asked what was wrong - did I need feeding or a nappy change?

I am in my 50s.

My niece is like this. Mid thirties, gets mistaken for 17/18. People think it must great but it isn't when you get spoken down to, always having to carry ID and being in awkward and embarrassing moments because of it.

@tattymacduff

I was a bit upset the other day and started crying in a cafe. A woman came up to me and asked what was wrong - did I need feeding or a nappy change?

I am in my 50s.

[quote ValidUser]@FunnyWonder that's nothing. I went outside yesterday and my neighbour tried to pop me in a sling.[/quote]

[quote ValidUser]@FunnyWonder that's nothing. I went outside yesterday and my neighbour tried to pop me in a sling.[/quote]
😂🤣😂

It won’t last forever. Enjoy it for now - it won’t matter when you retire anyway, as you won’t be expected to be ‘strong,’ will you. I must admit, I’m a bit jealous

This thread is nothing without a pic of yourself with no filters or editing

I can remember a thread where a woman was 45 and claimed that she regularly got mistaken for 18. There was no way anyone was mistaking her for 18, she looked every bit her age and more

Everyone thinks they look young for their age. It's just vanity.

Dropped DS off to enrol in college today, the receptionist thought I was the next student in the queue 😁. I was wearing a hoodie to be fair.

C'mon OP - a picture?
I had a very embarrassing situation recently when chatting to a neighbour she asked me how old I thought she was. I didn't want to upset her, so deducted about 10 years. I was only 2 years out!
She said, "everyone thinks I'm younger than I am!". Close call

I'm in my 50s too.

Many people say I look way younger too.

I'm posting picture of me. Don't look like a woman in my 50s do I?