Are you secretive about your age?

zerosugarbuzz · 15-05-2021 8:35pm

Jeremy Sproket wrote: »

Some people are very touchy and will even get annoyed when asked their age.

I don't really mind myself. I'm a 28 year old girl.

Would you reveal your age if asked in a conversation?

For the purpose of this thread "Gender not disclosed" is for the benefit of those who identify as neither male nor female or who are gender fluid.

You're a 28 year old woman

Airyfairy12 · 15-05-2021 9:09pm

Male - I'm very secretive

If asked ill say it but im not where I thought I would be or would like to be at this age and feel a bit behind in life in lots of ways so I am often a bit ashamed to admit my age to people.

Dtp1979 · 15-05-2021 9:12pm

As you can see from my username, I’m 35 and I’m gonna stay that way for a few years

Strumms · 15-05-2021 9:14pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Did he remember to put his teeth in?

As long as he didn’t put anybody else’s in... “who swallowed my teeth” would be an awkward conversation to be having...

SEPT 23 1989 · 15-05-2021 9:15pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

Life is so short and can be snuffed out in an instant

Be thankful for every day

The more years on the clock the better

The only ones I see trying to tragically roll back the clock are singles in their 40’s and 50’s

Day Lewin · 15-05-2021 11:54pm

Female - I'll be open to few people

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

The only ones I see trying to tragically roll back the clock are singles in their 40’s and 50’s

Kids these days *sniff*

hot buttered scones · 16-05-2021 12:41am

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

I couldn't give as rats who knows who old I am. The trouble is I don't always remember my age (give or take a year or so). Anyway's I;m male, 46 years old (or is it 47?)

Leg End Reject · 16-05-2021 12:43am

Not ashamed at all, I'm 13 and a half.

Purple is a Fruit · 16-05-2021 1:53am

I'm nearly 43 and I'd be lying if I said I don't feel self conscious about it, and will avoid bringing it up. But then again, another part of me is thinking "**** it, why should it be a secret?" It's just an age ffs - it's a bit crazy to feel shame about such a thing. And being all secretive about it is just helping perpetuate any prejudice (much of which is likely only in my head).

It's a good point that there are people with terminal illnesses or who have lost loved ones early, who view getting older as a privilege.

Purple is a Fruit · 16-05-2021 1:56am

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Life is so short and can be snuffed out in an instant

Be thankful for every day

The more years on the clock the better

The only ones I see trying to tragically roll back the clock are singles in their 40’s and 50’s

Even that's kinda prejudicial because you're bringing up their relationship status.

sporina · 16-05-2021 11:04pm

Male - I'm very secretive

i'm v lucky as in I look much younger than my age - so I have no prob telling people what age I am - in fact, I get some joy out of it.. but if the situation wer the opposite I would prob b v defensive about it.. tis all in the genes though - defo not lifestyle (use to smoke, I worry a lot etc)

Wanderer2010 · 16-05-2021 11:39pm

A very wise saying killed off any interest i had in lying about my age:

Never regret getting older. Its a privilege denied to many.

Nigel Fairservice · 17-05-2021 2:25am

I'm not, I'm 37. I suppose I'm on the old side of young now. My perception of time had really changed as I've gotten older. I remember waiting impatiently for things as as child. When it was 2 months to Christmas it might was well have been 2 years. I'm watching Reeling in the Years at the moment and finding I'm surprised by things happening nearly 10 years ago that I would have said only happened a year or two ago. The years are going by.

Surreptitious · 17-05-2021 3:14am

No and what's this craic about women wanting to look younger. You are the age you are. My sister was on about a one she met on holidays who was 78 and she said she looked 50. I said there is no way she could have looked 28 years younger than what she is. Drives me fcking mental.

Tilden Katz · 17-05-2021 4:40am

Male - I'm very secretive

coleen wrote: »

I’m 58 and proud to say my age . My mother died when she was 43. Age is an achievement of a long life nothing to be ashamed of.

Well said.

Aglomerado · 17-05-2021 7:35am

Female - I'll tell anyone who asks

Not at all. I'm 43 and people often tell me I look younger, which is nice.
I have an aunt who is 82 and I recently heard she won't use her bus pass if there is someone she knows on the bus. 😀😀😀

stoneill · 17-05-2021 7:48am

Male - I'll tell anyone who asks

I just hate that I have to scroll further down to check the age bracket box.

17-05-2021 11:52am

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

People tend to think I'm 10 years younger than I am.. and I get a perverse pleasure saying my actual age. I'm guessing that will happen less now that all the laughter lines are starting to show more clearly.

Male. 44. And I'm quite enjoying my age. Never really did like being younger... 20s were extremely awkward. 30's were fun, but the 40's are just brilliant. I expect the 50s to be even more fun, as I'll care even less about what people think of me.

Surreptitious · 17-05-2021 12:30pm

All the people in their 40s. Oh I look younger. What if you don't though?

Shaka Hislop · 17-05-2021 12:37pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

Surreptitious wrote: »

All the people in their 40s. Oh I look younger. What if you don't though?

Botox and fillers?

Surreptitious · 17-05-2021 1:03pm

Shaka Hislop wrote: »

Botox and fillers?

Nobody mentioned that but they would help you look younger definitely. I saw an ad for Trinny and her make up and she's in her 50s. She's had a lot of work done to make her look younger.

Shaka Hislop · 17-05-2021 1:07pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

Surreptitious wrote: »

Nobody mentioned that but they would help you look younger definitely. I saw an ad for Trinny and her make up and she's in her 50s. She's had a lot of work done to make her look younger.

My 20yo niece has had fillers...it actually seems to be "normal" amongst the younger set.

Surreptitious · 17-05-2021 1:21pm

Shaka Hislop wrote: »

My 20yo niece has had fillers...it actually seems to be "normal" amongst the younger set.

Ah no. She wouldn't need them but I suppose her body and all that.

chrissb8 · 17-05-2021 1:30pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

I don't care and probably never will. I don't understand why people care as well and get bothered as if it's their own business. I suspect it's because it's rooted in insecurity of not being seen as young and judged as old. Who cares for anyone who thinks like that, they're the sorts who need everything to fit in a nice square box.

Tilden Katz · 17-05-2021 5:06pm

Male - I'm very secretive

A few people in this thread have commented that they look younger than their age or that people comment that they do. That could well be true. I don't know ye. But I gotta say, I take people saying I look younger than 37 with a generous pinch of sodium chloride. I think I look my age +/- a few years. But then I wonder, what does 37 or any age look like? What do people picture a particular age must look like?

Having said that, I was very surprised to discover that this lad from The Chase is 55. I would have said way, way younger. :eek:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Labbett

BraveDonut · 17-05-2021 5:10pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

I lie about my age on websites so that I don't have to scroll-down to the year that I was born

mariaalice · 17-05-2021 5:10pm

Male - I'm very secretive

Not in the slightest, however, my husband often says that portrait in the attic is going to be found one day.

I got asked for id in off-licenses right into my 30s

santana75 · 17-05-2021 5:16pm

I think the problem is that asking someone their age is a "Sizing them up" question and whatever answer they give will result in them being placed into a category, to see if they're either too young or too old to do something. Its not a question that has good intentions behind it.

sporina · 17-05-2021 5:18pm

Male - I'm very secretive

Shaka Hislop wrote: »

My 20yo niece has had fillers...it actually seems to be "normal" amongst the younger set.

gosh I think thats v sad if a 20 yo feels the need to have work like this done... and I mean that sincerely.. like - omg - if they are unhappy with their looks at 20, what are they gonna be like when they are 40, 50?

the issue here is deeper than skin I think.. insecurity, peer pressure and same from social media etc...

Purple is a Fruit · 17-05-2021 5:36pm

Yeah 20-year-olds getting cosmetic procedures - messed up. I don't care that it's their choice. Doesn't change my opinion that it's grim they feel that way about themselves at only 20.

Surreptitious wrote: »

All the people in their 40s. Oh I look younger. What if you don't though?

I get told it. I know I know - we could all say that, but I do. And my face just has fine lines on the forehead, otherwise no wrinkles.

My body is in sh*t though. That's where the ageing is!

Addle · 17-05-2021 5:37pm

Male - I'm very secretive

sporina wrote: »

gosh I think thats v sad if a 20 yo feels the need to have work like this done... and I mean that sincerely.. like - omg - if they are unhappy with their looks at 20, what are they gonna be like when they are 40, 50?

the issue here is deeper than skin I think.. insecurity, peer pressure and same from social media etc...

It’s prevention rather than cure.
It makes sense.

Would anyone ever actually say to someone ‘I thought you were older’?!

Purple is a Fruit · 17-05-2021 6:40pm

Addle wrote: »

It’s prevention rather than cure.
It makes sense.

Would anyone ever actually say to someone ‘I thought you were older’?!

No, but that doesn't mean those who say you look younger are lying. If I thought someone looked older or didn't look younger I would just say nothing, but I do say it when someone looks younger than their age.

Gosh fillers at 20 seems extreme as a preventative measure. Are they really thinking that far ahead?

Surreptitious · 17-05-2021 7:18pm

Purple is a Fruit wrote: »

No, but that doesn't mean those who say you look younger are lying. If I thought someone looked older or didn't look younger I would just say nothing, but I do say it when someone looks younger than their age.

Gosh fillers at 20 seems extreme as a preventative measure. Are they really thinking that far ahead?

I think he means lip filler. Fillers for the face are only used when it's gone so bad botox won't work

The DayDream · 17-05-2021 7:29pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I was standing in the kitchen yesterday thinking as I cooked burgers. My mother in law will be 70 next year and I'll be 40. A big birthday year bla bla bla what will we do. Then I thought again "I'll be 40". My stomach was gripped by an icy cold hand the more times I said it to myself.

It just doesn't fit. Every previous adult year has made sense, has felt right. Even turning 39 I was like "Oh yeah I'm 39. I am 39". 40 though. No. It doesn't fit. I reject it. It's not me. I don't want it.

I was the same. No birthday bothered me til 40 which traumatized me.

Worse, I look easily 10 years younger. Which I should feel good about. But it actually makes things a lot more tricky when dating. Women my age think I'm too young for them. Women who think they're my age then have to find out the ugly truth.

I should just start lying or keep it a secret but I'm an open book sort.

Purple is a Fruit · 17-05-2021 7:55pm

I didn't mind turning 40. It's not the height of middle age any more. 40-year-olds are fairly youthful nowadays.

But 50 - that's gonna suck.

murpho999 · 17-05-2021 8:18pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

Turned 50 last year hated it at first but reaching a new decade is always a milestone and you move on. The alternative to getting older is death so best avoided.

So this Friday I turn 51 and I'd tell anyone that cares to ask.

Life is for living and aging should be admired and enjoyed and not sneered at or something to get upset about.

greenfarm · 17-05-2021 8:22pm

Jeremy Sproket wrote: »

Some people are very touchy and will even get annoyed when asked their age.

I don't really mind myself. I'm a 28 year old girl.

Would you reveal your age if asked in a conversation?

For the purpose of this thread "Gender not disclosed" is for the benefit of those who identify as neither male nor female or who are gender fluid.

I'm 31 and don't care if asked

What I would care about is calling myself a girl or boy at 28

You ain't a girl or boy at that age, far from it.

17-05-2021 8:22pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

No matter how old you are
The matter is how much you have !

bb1234567 · 17-05-2021 8:35pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

Addle wrote: »

It’s prevention rather than cure.
It makes sense.

Would anyone ever actually say to someone ‘I thought you were older’?!

Heard people say it to others countless times. Lots of people are rude indeed, but usually not meant in a rude way necessarily and just thinking out loud without filter.

DMcL1971 · 17-05-2021 8:36pm

Male - I'll tell anyone who asks

I’ll tell anyone my age but not my birth date.

I can’t stand the fuss around birthdays and would rather die than have card or a fuss made over me in the office.

Surreptitious · 17-05-2021 8:43pm

Purple is a Fruit wrote: »

I didn't mind turning 40. It's not the height of middle age any more. 40-year-olds are fairly youthful nowadays.

But 50 - that's gonna suck.

Shaking thinking about it!!

murpho999 · 17-05-2021 8:45pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

Surreptitious wrote: »

Shaking thinking about it!!

Why?

What can you do about. Be alive and healthy and you'll be fine.
Your life is not older and 40-50 is still young enough to do nice things.

Surreptitious · 17-05-2021 8:46pm

murpho999 wrote: »

Why?

What can you do about. Be alive and healthy and you'll be fine.
Your life is not older and 40-50 is still young enough to do nice things.

I suppose I'm not healthy so it scares me. Be grand though, got this far.

RacoonQueen · 17-05-2021 8:46pm

People always think I'm older than I am and I've always felt, particularly in the workplace I get more respect for it. Doesn't matter so much now I'm a bit older but it did in mid-20s or when moving into more senior roles. I'm a female in a very, very male world so any extra inkling of respect I can get, I will take.

Because people think I'm older than I look, they can be very curious about what age I am so I get a kick out of being a bit secretive about it.

So yeah, I don't care about age really, it is just the kick I get out of not satisfying the curiosity of others that makes me secretive. I'm only 33 but can't imagine I'd change my outset about not changing, my friends and partners are older than me in general too so I'm always young in comparison anyway.

Galwayguy35 · 17-05-2021 8:53pm

Gender not disclosed - I'm very secretive

No big deal to me, if someone asked i'd tell them.

Purple is a Fruit · 17-05-2021 10:47pm

greenfarm wrote: »

I'm 31 and don't care if asked

What I would care about is calling myself a girl or boy at 28

You ain't a girl or boy at that age, far from it.

"Girl" has two meanings though - young female, and slang/casual term for woman (the equivalent of guy, lad, fella).

Adyx · 17-05-2021 11:35pm

FunLover18 wrote: »

I work in market research and the amount of people who get all antsy and protective when asked their age is ridiculous. Literally millions of people are the same age as you, get over yourself.

I don't mind people knowing my age, I just don't want you knowing my age.

Tilden Katz · 18-05-2021 1:28am

Male - I'm very secretive

Addle wrote: »

It’s prevention rather than cure.
It makes sense.

Would anyone ever actually say to someone ‘I thought you were older’?!

That kind of just strikes me as a sales tactic to upsell procedures. When you’ve captured all the people who already have the wrinkles, then where do you turn to drum up more business?

uch · 18-05-2021 1:32am

Gender not disclsoed - I'll be open to few people

Surreptitious wrote: »

I suppose I'm not healthy so it scares me. Be grand though, got this far.

Hey kiddo, I'm 51, have asthma, diabetes, bronchiectasis of the lungs, and some shít wrong with me colon, but i'm lovin life and hoping it lasts another few years, stop bringing yourself down with numbers and concentrate on yourself and you'll be a lot happier

Surreptitious · 18-05-2021 1:53am

uch wrote: »

Hey kiddo, I'm 51, have asthma, diabetes, bronchiectasis of the lungs, and some shít wrong with me colon, but i'm lovin life and hoping it lasts another few years, stop bringing yourself down with numbers and concentrate on yourself and you'll be a lot happier

Thank you

Are you secretive about your age?

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