Age-ism...

Do you ever feel like you're discriminated against because of your age? I do, a lot! At my job, in real life, and on these boards - I feel like a lot of older people think that, simply by virtue of being older, they must know better or more and it really p-sses me off!! I'm not even that young - I'm 2 mos shy of 27!

Just me?

Message edited 8/31/2005 2:02:38 PM.

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I feel that way sometimes but not often.. and I am even younger then you!

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Everyone in my dept is at least twice my age. Most of the time, they are pretty good about not talking down to me b/c of age. It does happen, though.

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I get that bull at work and Im smarter then most of them!

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I used to when I was younger, like people wouldn't take me seriously but now that I have a kid people do take me more seriously.
Although in my moms eyes she makes me feel like a little girl.

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I'm very young for my position at work so even people who have dealt with me fine for years, when they meet me (and I look really young for my age too), they often start treating me differently, knowing my age.

But also on the boards. I feel like there are age-based know-it-alls and it's really annoying

Message edited 8/31/2005 2:09:52 PM.

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Yes, at work since I am in a semi-supervisory position and I am one of the youngest. It's hard.

As for the boards, I'd guess that the average person here is 26-27, so I don't know if I've noticed any real age-ism here. Though LIW is a different story, but there the difference between the young brides (I'm talking some of the 20-21 year olds, and not all of them) and some of the older ones.

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Posted by dooodles
I've always thought of you as a young whipper snapper!

j/k Eileen - just wanted to give you a

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I get it ALOT. Not so much at work but just in life...Mostly because I look VERY young for my age (I'm 23). When I was going off to college a restaurant offered me a childrens menu . Now that I'm 23 at least I've moved up in other peoples eyes, I'm told I look 14. Now that I'm married people make an even bigger deal out of it.....they see my ring and say "No way your married you look 14" . It gets really old, esp when people go on and on about it.

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ill never forget starting my first teaching job..I was in the copy room making copies and some older beatch of a teacher comes in and says, "student teachers have to step aside when real teachers come in and need to use the copy machine".

In my sweetest, most sarcastic voice, I said, well then ill be sure to tell them because I AM one of the REAL teachers!!!!

This was 7 years ago. Although I am older- 31 going on 32, I dont look it at all and get comments all the time. its annoying but im used to it..

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Posted by missus-hbradio

Posted by kdelace

ill never forget starting my first teaching job..I was in the copy room making copies and some older beatch of a teacher comes in and says, "student teachers have to step aside when real teachers come in and need to use the copy machine".

In my sweetest, most sarcastic voice, I said, well then ill be sure to tell them because I AM one of the REAL teachers!!!!

This was 7 years ago. Although I am older- 31 going on 32, I dont look it at all and get comments all the time. its annoying but im used to it..

That is one of the rudest things I ever heard!!!! What was her reply???

She was a little suprised that I came back with a sarcastic reply but she played it off. Thank god she reitred the following year. She was the rudest woman I have ever met!!!

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I did at jobs when I was younger, sometimes now, because I am younger and female in a profession that is dominantly male.

As one of the older people on the boards, I apologize if I ever come off as a know it all. Sometimes it is hard not to give advice if you think you can help someone avoid heartache you have experienced yourself. I actually have learned a lot about different things from people here that I wouldn't have discovered otherwise, regardless of their age.

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Definitely!!!
I also feel that people talk down to me because I appear to be younger than I actually am, so they assume they know my age.

It happens A LOT at school with the older teachers and it drives me insane!!!


But - I like to use it to my advantage when I can...ex: when we look at houses, some of the real estate agents don't appear to take us seriously because we look young.
So I use it as a gage for the people I am willing to work with

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I never feel like that actually. Im only 24

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I feel that way. I am now 27, but my boss pretty much told me I wouldn't get any higher level job at such a young age, even once I have completed my doctorate and have years of experience. The higher positions seem to have a minimum age requirement of 40. And often a p enis.

I also look young, and work in a college so I am often mistaken for a student.

Message edited 8/31/2005 3:18:07 PM.

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I feel that way too sometimes & I am almost 30.

I don't feel it here, but I do in certain family situations & certain work situations.

Actiually one of the people I get that attitude from is onyl a year or two older than me, but feels he is more expericed b/che has had more jobs.

When I have to exhibit with my company at academic conference I feel it a lot, when peopel look pas tme to talk to one of my bosses, but fortunatly, more & more of the academics are closer to my age now!

ETA-- LORI--Real estate
I had a building manager once tell me he was looking for people with solid job history, with at least 5-7 years at their job. I was 24, but had been at the same job since I graduated college 2 years earlier & I had enough money for the apt, & had previously rented for a year & half & coudl use my landlord as a refercnce, but I think we got pushed to the bottom of the list--he never called back.

Message edited 8/31/2005 4:44:48 PM.

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I get that once in awhile. More often I get "you can't be engaged" or people thinking I'm a little kid b/c I look young. I was getting my hair done a few weeks ago and the hairdresser mentioned to another customer that I'm getting married b/;c we were all chatting and this woman says "She looks like a baby!" That was SO annoying. I mean it would have been different if she had said "oh you, look soyoung blah blah" but to talk about me like I'm not there...ugh

I also had someone else say that I look and speak like a baby because I look young and I have a small voice. I sound 5 on the phone. Whenever people call me they ask if my mommy is at home. LOL

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yes, all the time.

when ppl ask my age and i say 21 i think they make up assumptions about me.

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Re: Age-ism...

Posted by tourist

Posted by marymoon

I also had someone else say that I look and speak like a baby because I look young and I have a small voice. I sound 5 on the phone. Whenever people call me they ask if my mommy is at home. LOL

Well, I guess that is better than someone saying you act a like a baby!

With practice you can change your voice to some extent.

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What I find most interesting is that once a person stops to actually talk to me, instead of just looking at me and assumng I'm young, they can tell that I'm an adult with mature thoughts.
I've had a lot of people who just met me give me a confused look ans ask how old I am because I look like I'm in high school, but I sound a lot older!
I guess that's a compliment

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Posted by Palebride

What I find most interesting is that once a person stops to actually talk to me, instead of just looking at me and assumng I'm young, they can tell that I'm an adult with mature thoughts.
I've had a lot of people who just met me give me a confused look ans ask how old I am because I look like I'm in high school, but I sound a lot older!
I guess that's a compliment