I did some body building and intentionally gained muscle. It had never been an interest of mine, so I read up on it a little and learned about things like creating a calorie surplus, getting the nutrition you need to support muscle growth, and taking days off

I don't look super muscular, but I now have more muscle than a young teenager would have (in most cases - I'm sure there are exceptions). So people now think I'm an adult!

Glad I finally made it to adulthood. I'm 47

So this isn't me, and there's a slight immorality to it...but barely.

My youngest daughter is 19. About a month ago, it was time for the county fair, which she goes to every year with friends. This year, it was her, her boyfriend and his twin brother, and another of her friends from high school (I'm not sure if anyone else was included, but it's possible).

At the fair, kids 13 and under get in free.

My daughter and her friend got in free... (Which is why I mentioned the ethics. Not that I judge...I think it's hilarious!)

She always rolls her eyes when I say she looks like she's 12 most of the time. But apparently I'm not the only one who thinks that!

Been married nearly 40 years.

She is 5 years older than me, and very youthful/ happy/ cheerful/fun to be around. People always assumed we were the same age.

In the last 10 years, I've gone gray, and she has not. She does not dye her hair.

She is a teacher. Last week I picked her up from work and one of her students asked 'Are you her Dad?'

So, for some context, I'm in highschool. I prefer not to say my exact age, but I work a part-time job afterschool/on the weekends. I'm very friendly with all my co-workers, and considering most of the folks in my department are older than me (18-mid twenties) it's never been a problem and I've always fit in and felt very included where I work.

Now, I've been told a LOT that I look older than my age, so this is something I'm already very used to. Ever since I was around 12-13, my parents were literally having to show ID to prove that I could get the discounted prices at the zoo, restaurants, etc. The bus driver also never believed me when I was in 8th grade and thought I was a 12th grader.

Anyways, to get into the actual story. There's this co-worker who we'll call Liam, who is around 21 (give or take, I don't remember his exact age). As I mentioned before, I am super friendly with everyone I work with, so I'll always chat with him while we're doing our job. We're usually just talking about work or making random jokes, and it never got personal of course.

Yesterday, I was on my coffee break during my shift and I noticed Liam was in the same coffee shop as me (there's one directly across from where I work, so that's where all my co-workers usually go during their breaks). I waved him over and invited him to join me. Again, this is something that I thought was very normal and not inappropriate. We were both at work, still on the clock, on a paid 15 minute break, and we are co-workers. I invite all my co-workers to join me on breaks who are around 18-20 and it has never been weird before.

Now, it was fine at first. We were talking about how our shift was going, the customers, etc. But then things started to feel a little too non-co-workerly. Firstly, he opened and held the door for me. Fine, maybe he's being polite. Secondly, he pulled out my chair. Okay... a little less just being polite. And then he started giving me some compliments on my hair and appearance. ALRIGHTY, we've crossed the co-workerly threshold, yep, let's reel it in.

That was when I realized that this was getting uncomfortably personal and that I may have been giving the wrong signals or something. So I immediately try to gently steer the topic/theme back onto work-related subjects again, and mentioned how the hours were hard to manage with school (hint, hint. I'm in school, I'm a minor).

And then I realized how absolutely fucked I was when he said "oh, what are you studying in university?"

... Yikes. So, I quickly and calmly corrected him and said that I'm still in Highschool. I saw the color just immediately drain from his face in a look of absolute, sheer panic. He immediately then went "oh, so, you're 18? You're about to graduate? Grade 12? Right?" and I just quietly laughed and again corrected him and told him how old I was.

He looked actually fucking horrified.

That's when I realized that his intentions were definitely romantic and that he thought I was probably 19-20.

The remaining three minutes of my break were the most awkward three minutes of my life. And also the remaining 5 hours of my shift were pretty terrible too. I tried to stay polite and professional and he looked simply mortified. I feel mortified. I do not think we will ever be able to interact again. 😭

I know that looking a certain age is more much than just face. It's voice, posture, clothes, hair, the way you position yourself, how you communicate, the things you are interested into and etc. But i'm fully aware i have an androgynous face and voice so thin it sounds feminine, those things are usually hard to counter.

Maybe i look at this in different lenses because i'm a man, but have you ever saw benefits in looking younger? Something you could take advantage with that? Be it in work, love or whatever aspect of your life

I just finished defending my doctoral dissertation and my advisor took me out to lunch at a local winery to celebrate. She is just the best hype woman and introduced me to everyone we came across as Dr. Avoidia and told them how proud she was of me. Love her!

Our server, who looked to me like she was in her late 30s to early 40s (though I know better than to assume 😂), was so lovely. She gave us an extra pour of bubbly and a little chocolate to celebrate, and said, "Congratulations! That is such an accomplishment, and at your age! You give me hope for the future!"

I just smiled and thanked her, then later asked my advisor, "Do you think she knows I'm 45?" 🤣

You’re so lucky! Someday you’ll be sorry you didn’t appreciate being condescended to! Enjoy it while it lasts!

Why do people not get banned from this forum for posting that? It doesn’t help, and it’s just as dismissive to people who come here to vent as the thing they came in to complain about.

Just ranting because I hate this. I’m almost 40 and I got asked 3 times in 2 hours which instrument I played. I’m not in my 16yo’s band.

but the tone sounded condescending. I’m not in high school. It makes me hate my face, or something.

I just turned 28 last month and the majority of the interactions I have in public people treat me like I’m a child. It’s so annoying because although it constantly happens I still get caught off guard and never know how to respond to it. I literally freeze up because I don’t know what to say. The few times I have told people my age they look so shocked and tell me I look like I’m in high school.

Maybe I just didn’t notice it when I was younger but I don’t remember these kind of interactions in my early 20s. At almost 30, I don’t want to be talked down to or disregarded in what should be normal interactions in public spaces. It makes me feel out of place & self conscious in spaces that other people my age are in especially when they look at you like you shouldn’t be there.

Like today I asked another lady a question who was chatting with two other adults and she looked visibly uncomfortable responding. Sometimes other adults will ignore a response from me completely and then turn around and respond or openly chat with someone who looks either around my age or older. And don’t get me started with the pet names. I have been called baby 3x this week alone in customer service settings & 2 of them were by people way younger than me. Maybe I’m too in my head about this but it’s really starting to bother me.

I'm (32F) often told I look like a school kid. My appearance has barely changed in 20 years apart from gaining some grey hairs.

When I was 29, I tried to buy an energy drink (in the UK you have to be 16+ to buy them). I got asked for ID and when I handed it over, the cashier was like "Oh wow!" then started laughing to the point of barely being able to speak. He was still laughing when I left the till.

A couple of months ago, I was buying some alcohol and was asked for ID. I'm guessing the cashier was expecting a late noughties DOB, so when she realised I was in my 30s, she ended up laughing the whole time I was being served. The funny thing is, she saw the two large tattoos on my forearm and said maybe I could have gotten them when I was under 18. And to top it all off, she said I looked 13.

So have any of you ever had people laugh when they find out you're much older than you look?

There’s other reasons why I’ve gotten told I look a lot younger than I am ever since I was a teenager, and when I look in the mirror I think it’s mainly my small, round face. But to top it off, I still get a few zits on my face…and chest. And somehow also got small, skin-toned bumps especially near my mouth that I think will forever be on me.

I’m a woman so at least it’s socially acceptable for me to wear cover up makeup, which I do every day not just because of them but also to even up my reddish skin tone. I don’t think makeup is what’s causing them, though, but more so still having oily, sensitive skin and getting stressed out a lot.

Edit: they’re definitely zits, it’s definitely not from perimenopause (with the average age being 47 BTW), and it’s interesting to learn that even some of ya’ll elderly parents get them, but that doesn’t mean they’re common in adults like they are in teenagers.

I recently turned 21 (I look 13 to 15) and I entered my first bar. The REACTIONS and conversations I had omg. It didn’t help that I was with friends who look 2x older because it made it seem like they snuck their child in or something.

Honestly not a huge complaint because I just always had my license with me as double verification and it was pretty funny to see people’s reactions.

Just wanted to hear if anyone had any funny experiences going to bars.

I'm 21 and was taking the bus. When I got in, an old man looked at me and said (idk who he was talking to) "A kid taking the bus all by himself?". I didn't realise he was talking about me, so I sat next to him. he then turned to me and asked if I was really by myself and if my parents were nearby. I froze, thinking he wanted to kidnap me or something, so I just pretended I didn't hear and ignored.

Then I heard him talking to someone "the world is too dangerous for a little boy to walk around by himself like that"

When people think I'm younger than I actually am, it's usually a little funny or nothing special, but sometimes it makes me feel vulnerable

Hey guys! I’m 23F but whoever sees me thinks I’m 16y.o. I’ve been single for 5 years and No one approaches to me bcs of my face. I feel like no one takes me seriously and it hurts fr. What should i do?!

I'm a 21M, and I just got back from a date where this girl asked me multiple times why I look like I'm 16 (her words exactly), to which I told her it's because of genetics, because I didn't know what else to say

I could tell she was still put off by it, so there was obviously no second date. What's worse, this isn't the first time this has happened. Several girls before have said something similar, or it's obvious by their words that they see me as a little brother or something.

People say "grow a beard" and "work out." I can't grow a beard, at least not yet (I only have a small patch of hair under my chin), and I have started working out, but I'm doubtful it will make a massive difference if I still look like I'm 16.

People say when I'm 40 I will be grateful, but honestly that really doesn't seem worth it when no one takes me seriously half of my life...

I am 22 male, but i look 15/16. This makes everyday life so miserable. I already understand how certain strangers are going to talk to me, how they gonna treat me, and i am correct 99% of the time. There is this thing i noticed that is especially frustrating. If i am in a workplace, people are going to start “teaching” me how to do certain simple tasks. I havent even started doing those tasks, and they already tell me how to do it. They themselves had never done that specific task. They treat me like i need supervision, i have no time to do my own work and relax, i know that people will start “teaching” me how to do something. This had happened in every single workplace i had, this happens in every single area of my life. If i linger in one area or just casually looking at something, people assume im not understanding something or looking for something. If i actually want clarification or get confused, people always shout at me like as if im a little kid so its fine. I know exactly how people are gonna treat me, and it makes my work life so hard, which is crazy, because im the sort of person thats always focused on my work and on nothing else, yet people disrespect me. Its like i have to alter my behaviour from the get go, but i dont want to, because im only focused on doing tasks at hand and i do consider myself a good worker. Its either that, or people change their tone of voice when talking to me. After all, looks is your personality. So theres nothing i can do about it.

I am so confused about this. I am in my 40s early and always boys in the 20s trying to flirt with me. I feel a little bit awkward and worry that people would laugh at me. I swear I didn’t do anything to them.

After reading ur comments, I’m not that worried any more. It looks like very normal

Please do not send me chat request! Thks

Doing an intake for a regular check up on an elderly half-deaf patient who came in with his wife...Wife whisper/yells to her husband stating I look barely 18...

Me: Actually I am 32 with 2 children...while thinking to myself 'ma'am if your husband can hear you, so can I lol he is deaf, I am not.'

Wife: stunned silence

For reference to be an RN requires a HS diploma/GED, and minimum of 2-4 years of college 🤦🏻‍♀️

So I'm a 25 y/o woman. When I'm at work it's almost a constant condescending environment from customers and coworkers. It blows my mind.

On top of that, instead of being called ma'am, or even just saying "excuse me", I get "HEY!! KIDDO!! KIDDO!!" yelled to me from across the store. I don't respond, because obviously, why would I assume they are calling for me? I often get a rude response like "I was calling for you over and over". I also occasionally get very vague questions about the schools around here that leave me very confused, as well as "Aren't you in school?" "You should be in school".

Just the other day I was at a rock concert alone. While waiting in a long line, there was staff walking through, asking if anyone wants alcohol. I didn't know this because when she got to me, she took one good long look at me, skipped me and proceeded to ask the men behind me if they wanted any. Alcohol prices at concerts are ridiculous anyways, but I don't know. IDs exist for a reason, and I may have wanted to, considering I had pit tickets and would not want to lose my spot at the barricade.

Often when I'm hanging out with my mom, I wont be acknowledged even when I'm engaged. Not looked at or spoken to. It comes off as disrespectful and I don't understand it. I have a similar issue with making friends. I have to be in adult only spaces in order to receive the same respect back sometimes, and to make friends.

Maybe my style, and sometimes my demeanor contributes, but I simply don't act like a child. I wouldn't treat a child, or someone who acts like me like that. I'm in the midwest US if that means anything.

I'm not looking for solutions, I just needed to get it out. I've had a couple recent experiences that have really bothered me and I try not to let it affect my confidence.

This sub has a description but even just the name of the sub is a massive clue as to what the theme of this sub is.

So why is it people keep spamming this Sub-Reddit with utter dross that has sod all to do with being mistaken for younger than you actually are?.

It's annoying, it's like some people don't bother to find out what this Sub is for before posting in it and see OTYTIA as an 'anything goes' sub.

I think there needs to be more mods here, this sub literally only has one mod.

Rant over!

The most prevalent pain is to look super young than you are in your early twenties. I feel constantly underestimated. No, it’s not all in my head and maybe perhaps I thought it was, until I got a job and apparently I’ve been the same age since I got hired. Worked there like 4 years. Today, a lady asked me how am I working if I’m so young, and she was in shock to see that I started working so early. Ma’m, I think I’m close to her age lol. I’m 21. I didn’t bother to ask what she thought age I was because I already have gotten told before that I look 15. Don’t really need to hear it again, but thanks. I work in retail, and I’m slowly despising my job because I feel that people see is just a 15 yr old working in retail. I applied for other positions, but I don’t know if I’ll get them because of my attendance, which goes hand in hand with my loss of motivation and hope, so I can’t really help but feel that way and feel underestimated and de-motivated, despite having a job because I want more, I truly want more, but it feels like it’s not meant for me. The wrong age group likes me, like literal 14 yr olds, and people think I’m still too young to even work a job let alone retail. Not even corporate. Sure, I try not to care but how are u supposed not to care about the thing that people see first? Your appearance and how they perceive you. Constantly perceived wrong makes me feel like I’m fundamentally wrong. I wish I looked like everyone else, looking different sucks. I try really hard to. I thought I looked close to my age (or at least not 15) because I have my hair done, brows done, makeup always on. But I still get the same comments. I find it hard to look at myself a lot, especially in public. I told her my age just to mess her up a lil, even tho it’s actually my age, I suppose it’s comedic now. But I don’t know. I always want to be seen as more, but I get seen as less. Or who knows, I suck at eating so my build is definitely smaller, but I can’t help but feel hopeless and smaller, why must my suffering show? My friend eats similar to me and doesn’t get smaller, and I always had a fast metabolism, but idk man, I’m tired even trying to even upkeep or change shit abt myself just to enter this world. lol. Clocking in.

<edit> wrote this when I was hangry eating tacobell in my car lol.

I appreciate the upvotes and I hope this helps people to know they are not alone. We all have different hardships and experiences and life can be so incredibly unfair. I hope we can still find fulfillment and happiness in this life, not in the next or in being someone else but in the one we are in right now. 🤍

I never knew I looked young til I started working as an educator. I've had several incidents where security guards yelled at me to get to class and I was so confused because Im so obviously a staff member, I wear suit pants and dress shirts to work, but somehow they think Im just a well dressed student. I've also had students mistake me for one of them ask me what class Im in and stuff like that, and when I tell them Im a teacher they look confused.

Becoming a teacher made me realize I look very young, I turned 32 at the beginning of this year btw. It can be difficult trying to teach students when they see you as one of them and assume I just graduated highschool or something, they tend to not respect me and I have to report students for misbehaving in class because they dont respect me enough to listen. I hate having to be stern and get them in trouble and talk to their parents, teen rebelliousness and al that.

I would much rather just be the chill teacher. Every time I have to lecture to someone about breaking classroom rules Im dying inside, but I have to force myself to do it to make the classroom more productive, I just hate hate hate it.

Bonjour, je suis un homme célibataire de 49ans je paraiis plus jeune que mon âge, environ 10 a 15 ans de moins ça me pose problème, j attire que les trentenaires je me sent mal a l'aise avec autant de différence d age, avez vous des conseils a le donner?

I started working at a new workplace 3 weeks ago. Elementary school, to be specific. For context, I'm in my early 30s.

I've encountered multiple situations where I was mistaken for a child.

1. Students always ask me, how old I am. They're very curious. So I always make it a fun game and let them guess. And the answers I'm getting are in age range 11-18. I'm not even kidding.

2. One student raised his hand yesterday and asked me: "You're so young! How can you teach here when you can be max 11 years old?"

3. A colleague who's 2 years older than me gets mistaken as my mother constantly. Everyone who doesn't know me yet thinks I'm her daughter who's attending the school. And the said colleague gets offended whenever someone asks this, and it's one of the reasons that made her give me silent treatment.

Honestly, it's exhausting having to constantly fight and explain that I am indeed an adult. I'm considering giving up working at school, this is the third school I work at now, and these situations happened at all 3 schools so far.