The Down Side Of Looking Younger
"May I see some ID?"
Up until 3 years ago, I was asked for my ID when buying alcohol, lottery tickets, and entering casinos and drinking establishments.
Having someone ask you for ID when you are in your mid-forties is an amazing self-esteem booster. Makes all those little lines, gray hairs, and saggy body parts suddenly look much better. My children are getting quite used to being asked if I am their friend or sister. My eldest daughter used to be quite offended when people said this, now facing her mid-twenties, she actually is beginning to understand that good genetics might not be such a bad thing.
But is looking much younger than you are always a good thing? I don't always find looking younger such a great advantage. In the job market it is competitive at the best of times. Recently I began a new job, and just like every other place I go and all the people I meet, I am constantly categorized as someone who has little experience because I look younger than I am. I find that I am not taken as serious as someone who looks their age or older.
Discrimination comes in many ways and so do people. Have you ever found yourself looking at someone trying to figure out how old they are because they talk older than they look? A while back I was sitting talking with one of my managers, who after some small talk asked me how old I was I. When answering her, she thought I was joking and told me she was being serious. After a moment of convincing, she finally believed me. Since this conversation I have noticed a different level of respect for my opinion and input in the Corporation. Not that she treated me badly or dismissed what I had to say. But I believe that knowing someone is at an equal age of yourself tends to bring out a different way of relating.
Ya Ya, stop bragging you say. Well, definitely I am grateful for good genetics that allow me to look at least 10 years younger than I am, but I am forging ahead with my career. I began my career later in life as I had the glorious privilege of being a stay-at-home mom for 17 years. In fact I never worked a 40 hour week until after I found myself being the sole provider for my household. And at 36 years old I picked up the school books and found some college education. Now I feel behind with the years of experience that others my age have to offer. That might be true, however; it also can be said that everyone grows with life experiences. I did not just waste the time I spent at home watching Soap Operas and having coffee with the neighbor ladies. I volunteered, home-schooled my children, and gained knowledge in anyway I could.
So how does one earn respect without looking like a matronly elder lady in her forties? I am not sure I have an answer to that. But I do know that each time I am passed over for someone younger who looks older I become more and more frustrated.
So the question remains:
Does one have to look their age, and dress their age to be given respect and promotion in the workplace?
Up until 3 years ago, I was asked for my ID when buying alcohol, lottery tickets, and entering casinos and drinking establishments.
Having someone ask you for ID when you are in your mid-forties is an amazing self-esteem booster. Makes all those little lines, gray hairs, and saggy body parts suddenly look much better. My children are getting quite used to being asked if I am their friend or sister. My eldest daughter used to be quite offended when people said this, now facing her mid-twenties, she actually is beginning to understand that good genetics might not be such a bad thing.
But is looking much younger than you are always a good thing? I don't always find looking younger such a great advantage. In the job market it is competitive at the best of times. Recently I began a new job, and just like every other place I go and all the people I meet, I am constantly categorized as someone who has little experience because I look younger than I am. I find that I am not taken as serious as someone who looks their age or older.
Discrimination comes in many ways and so do people. Have you ever found yourself looking at someone trying to figure out how old they are because they talk older than they look? A while back I was sitting talking with one of my managers, who after some small talk asked me how old I was I. When answering her, she thought I was joking and told me she was being serious. After a moment of convincing, she finally believed me. Since this conversation I have noticed a different level of respect for my opinion and input in the Corporation. Not that she treated me badly or dismissed what I had to say. But I believe that knowing someone is at an equal age of yourself tends to bring out a different way of relating.
Ya Ya, stop bragging you say. Well, definitely I am grateful for good genetics that allow me to look at least 10 years younger than I am, but I am forging ahead with my career. I began my career later in life as I had the glorious privilege of being a stay-at-home mom for 17 years. In fact I never worked a 40 hour week until after I found myself being the sole provider for my household. And at 36 years old I picked up the school books and found some college education. Now I feel behind with the years of experience that others my age have to offer. That might be true, however; it also can be said that everyone grows with life experiences. I did not just waste the time I spent at home watching Soap Operas and having coffee with the neighbor ladies. I volunteered, home-schooled my children, and gained knowledge in anyway I could.
So how does one earn respect without looking like a matronly elder lady in her forties? I am not sure I have an answer to that. But I do know that each time I am passed over for someone younger who looks older I become more and more frustrated.
So the question remains:
Does one have to look their age, and dress their age to be given respect and promotion in the workplace?
I never considered a downside to looking younger. I guess when it comes to the workforce the appearance of youth can be an obstacle. Overall, though, I definitely want to be carded when I'm in my 40's- lol.
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