People saying you look young for your age

[Percypiggz]

It's not a brag of any sort, I've no interest in looking younger, I just want to look well. I'm 35 so still relatively young, and anyway I much prefer how I look now to how I did at 25.

The issue is I now get embarrassed when people find out my age- I don't go round sharing it but people are curious and eventually ask how old you are, colleagues, partners' friends etc.

Im so bored of the same reaction- "You're 35??!! No, stop!!! Omg I thought you were 25!!! Omg!!!'

I know a lot of people would love this and take it as a huge compliment but I'm genuinely not interested- I'm not saying every single person does but I've heard this many times over the years.

What am I meant to answer- thanks, I know? I just smile politely and laugh it off. My partner's friend's wife who is only a year older said to me "Oh you're really young aren't you." And I told her I was a year younger than her.

I think people have this idea in their head that people in their 30s should have lots of wrinkles and look weathered- probably thinking of films and TV shows in the 90s when 30s tended to look much older.

Does anyone else have this and it's unwanted? How do you deal with it? I had a friend who I'd known for 10 years and who I'd done a Masters with 10 years ago so quite obviously had to be at least 21 back then.
She said 'Omg you're in your 30s??? You look amazing!!' Despite me knowing her for over a decade, how old was i going to be really?
I feel embarrassed now about people knowing my age because I've no idea how to react.

I always say ‘thanks, it’s the Botox’ 🤣

I think everyone looks younger now don't they? I think aging has just changed now..
People of 30 look 20, people of 40 look 30. It's not really people looking young so much, it's just how most people age nowadays. In the past people had mumsy haircuts and clothes etc. I was always told I look younger but, alas, menopause has kicked in now and I certainly don't feel I look so young now or get many of those comments much anymore. Just don't give it too much thought as a lot of people mean it as a compliment. Just say cheers and carry on.

Them - "God you look so young!"
You - "Do I?"
Them - "Oh yes, goodness what's your secret? I'm shocked BLAH BLAH BLAH"
You - 'Blimey, I don't think much about it. Anyway, about that report you promised me/can I have sugar in mine/must dash I need a poo'.

I have this too and I’ve had multiple surgeries/treatments because of it, but I do look an easy 10 years younger than my age. My mother clearly has it too. At 83 she gets cooed over all the time when she goes for medical appointments.

I'm in my 50s and a lot of people think I'm mid forties. I always looked young for my age and it was a bit annoying when I was very young, but after that I liked it. I am currently going through menopause though and feel it's not going to last.
I work with people of all ages and the public, and to be honest a 25 and 35 year old are not that easy for me to tell apart these days!

DS10: 'Mummy, you look much younger than you actually are.'
Me (50): 'Aww, thank you.'
DS10: 'Yes, you look like a 30 year old who's been through a war.'
Erm ...

I’m in my mid-forties and I still get it. As does DH.

I rather like it as I was an ugly duckling at school I’ve certainly got better with age.

Same-I just do it as a compliment because I think people expect it. Although the last person I did it to genuinely didn't look their age so it was easy.

I get issues over my age also, but slightly different, I’m 57, would be considered attractive, really just as I dress well, and I’m slim with lots of hair, and women always want to know my age, I must get asked about twice a week , due to meeting people through my work,or sometimes even when I get talking to people when I’m out, I find it very odd indeed, and annoying,

I think i am hard to age,I don’t know, but I’m constantly saying my fucking age, men assume I’m much younger, in my mid 40s, men this age and younger crack on to me, when I state I’m old enough to be your mum, they had assumed I was ages with them, my daughter was with me when it happened recently with some women, and she said she thinks I look 50.

But women, from 40s up, always ask, like you’ve great hair, how old are you, I love your jacket, how old are you, just straight up ask. or when you get to my age and i say I am your age, and they are like what, and peer at me,it’s actually got to the stage it’s pissing me off, like I might get a sign. I always just answer, but I wish people would stop asking. And then I get the shock thing. God I thought you were 40s.

i had it again today and im like will people just fuck off with this. I’m not actually sure there is a human left who now doesn’t know how 0ld I am.

Haha I know what you mean. People usually put me at mid 20s. I’ve had medical professionals query my DOB to make sure they have the right records/person in front of them.

Then they kind of gasp and say “you’re 40? You look much younger” while looking like this emoji 🤯 then they kind of catch themselves and switch back into calm, formal
professional mode.

I find it funny now, but I hated it as a teen though! I was 18 looking like a 12 year old 😂

When I worked in schools at age 30 I was frequently getting mistaken for a child not wearing my uniform and was shouted at by a few teachers before they realised I was one of the visiting support stuff and apologised profusely. I had one parent question if I was old enough to work with kids 😬

The only time I hate it is when disgusting men my age think I’m 21 and find out my age and say they are gutted as they can’t date women their age 🤡

I have a theory it’s also partly because I’m ND and my mannerisms are youngish. I probably dress youngish too.

I would say though that there’s not always much difference between 22 and 30 something year old women. A 25 year old who gets mistaken for being 35 might just be mature and sophisticated. A 35 year old who gets mistaken for 25 might be a bit more playful. I think people exaggerate the differences in how that age group looks.

I agree with this. I actually think it's very hard to guess someone's age from about 21 to 37, as that age group looks so similar

People think my grandson is actually my dad and frequently mistaken me for Helen of Troy/Miss World
They secretly film /photograph me; approach me for modelling contracts including Victoria’s Secret and the Bounty Bar desert island advert and ID me everywhere I go.
It’s a burden but what can you do …

I’m 50 and often mistaken for younger (35- 40) - I’m fat which helps smooth my wrinkles out and I also DGAF about makeup/ fashion so who knows why I get this but it’s flattering I guess

You work in a school? Surely you're wearing a lanyard?.

😂😂😂

My Nan at my age (50) had a short grey tight perm, little round national health glasses, a mono brow, a very ample bosom and wore pop socks to below the knee and a blue house dress just above it.

Or you might not.
I’m 55. I’m pretty sure I look my age but physically I am in very good shape. I am a keen and competitive runner, bouncing along (mostly!). My friends and family know my age so it doesn’t come up day to day, but now and again someone will be surprised I’m So Old!

So, you're nearly 47 and were charged a child's fare?.

Name changed, but like @Mycatmax I have EDS too and at 53 it’s regularly assumed I’m 35-38 at work. My best friend thinks I’m a liar when I say I have never had any Botox or fillers, treatments etc, I’d never had to dye my hair because it’s still old money blonde. Joints are agony though 🤷‍♀️

I love these threads. The best post was from a woman saying she was 60 and got mistaken for 22 at work. The other one when a woman took her 12 year old for a medical appointment and the doctor thought she was the girl rather than the parent.
Some good ones on here, though 👍🏼

I’m 47 and just been through cancer and gruelling chemo. Since then I’ve never had so many people asking my age and surprised by it! So I’m happy to run with that! 🤣

You seem to be responding badly to their reaction. Just try to tune it out if it bothers you so much.

I hope you're doing ok. It's tough 💐

Do you live in a hovel with a car on bricks in the driveway and mostly stand around in your pyjamas chain-smoking? People would expect you to age prematurely which may be where the confusion comes in.