First things first: I am 21 years old. I think I look around 17 or 18, but everyone around me seems to think I look 13 or 14. It's been that way since I was about eleven. I reached that age and just didn't seem to age past it. I know there are plenty who share in my struggle, and everything that follows is things each of us has experienced.
1. People unnecessarily calling you sweetie, or darling, or other pet names.
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This is especially true in restaurants. The server, who is usually around fifteen or sixteen, smiles at you sweetly and says "I'll get that for you, honey." Don't call me honey, I'm probably five years older than you.
2. People assuming your younger sibling is older than you.
A lot of siblings are close in age, so this could be rational. But my little brother is five whole years younger than me. Yet everyone who meets us assumes either we're twins or that he's two to three years older than me. I need them to recognize my dominance as the elder sibling.
3. Having actual 11-14-year-olds ask what high school, or even middle school, you go to.
My favorite response is "I graduated three years ago." It usually makes them feel really silly, which is my own private revenge. Another fun response is name-dropping your college or university. Either way, be prepared for the shocked exclamations.
4. People at your job doubting your abilities, or that you're really employed there.
This one is less humorous since it actually gets in the way of me doing my job. I work in the IT department at my university. Most people doubt that I'm actually qualified to be doing what I am. I've even had people tell me "I didn't know they let kids work here." They don't, Pam. They don't.
5. Watching bartenders and movie theater employees spend extra time examining your ID.
To a certain extent, I get this. They're only doing their job. And I especially understand bartenders spending several minutes staring at my license, they can get in legal trouble if they don't. But when I'm trying to get into the Rated R movie and I'm the only one in the group who gets stopped, that's a bit embarrassing.
6. Walking around campus, people assume you're a freshman.
I have a friend who shares in my struggle, and whenever we walk near freshman housing, we make it a point to bring up that we are not, in fact, freshmen. My favorite article of clothing to wear around is my "Class of 2019" shirt, just so there's no confusion.
7. Being told, "You're going to love it when you're older."
There it is. The big one. I have a theory that all my parents' friends got together one time and planned to torture me with this phrase. I'd like to make a formal declaration right now that people who are younger know we will love it at 40, or maybe even in our 30s. But for the time being, we'd like not to have the face of a child.
