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"OMG you look so young!" - Compliment or Insult?

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by SubZero, Apr 15, 2016.

  1. SubZero

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    I understand that it would probably be a compliment for many people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, etc since many people like to appear younger than their actual age. But whenever I get told this (which is quite frequently) I don't really take it as a compliment. I'm sure people who say this don't mean it in a negative way though.

    I'm 22 and I constantly get told I look young...like as young as 16. Whenever I'm making small talk with the cashier, barber, or any other random person, they'll ask me how old I am and I reply back saying "I'm 22" or "I'm a senior in college". Literally every response I get is "OMG I thought you were still in high school!" or "OMG I thought you were much younger...like 16, 17, 18."

    It's probably due to the fact that I have no facial hair and I generally have a younger looking face. I just don't want to continue looking like a teenager when I'm not. Would you take it as an insult or compliment?
     
  2. Kasey

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    When I was 28 people thought I was a college sophomore. I responded "more like a grad school sophomore".
     
  3. brians34

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    Can you grow facial hair? Maybe add a new style and keep a little s***** on your face.
     
  4. the haunted

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    I take it as a compliment. I know I'll enjoy it when I'm older lol.
     
  5. SubZero

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    I can't really grow any facial hair tbh. I don't have the potential to grow a full grown beard or mustache. I'm not sure what the censored word is lol.
     
  6. Nychthemeron

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    Can't really help it, man. Sure is irritating, though, I'd give you that. It's worse if you're shorter than average too, haha. I don't really take it as an insult, though. Just a remark I dislike.
     
  7. Libertino

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    I get this a lot as well. I have a very "young look" and have for a while. People in their middle age often think I'm in high school or at least just out of high school. I kinda like it to be honest. I don't mind at all being mistaken for younger. It won't happen forever so it's something to appreciate as long as it happens.
     
  8. Secrets5

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    When I was 16, a friend of mine I'd knew since I was 11 told me I looked eight and started talking down to me as if I was a child. That offended me because I might not look my age, but I still wanted to be treated with that respect.

    They might think it's a compliment because they don't like looking the same age/older, but what kind of 17 nearly 18 year old wants to be told they look like a child? And talked to like one? Sometimes not commenting is better.

    Put it this way, at the age of 18 would you like me to say ''oh my goodness, you look like a 25 year old! How cute! [start tapping you on the head] How was university?" etc. If someone could tell me if you do or do not take offense to this, be best if you were 17-18 years old but in retrospect maybe Thank-you.
     
  9. brians34

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    Hmm, curious as to why that word was censored. S*****iness
     
  10. Kodo

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    Haha. The word is supposed to be s+c+r+u+f+f+y but I think it's also the name (or part of the name) of some dating site, so it's censored.
     
  11. RawringSnake

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    Option 3: They are stating a fact. If you look young you look young. I wouldn't read too much into it. I get the same kinds of comments all the time. My personal feelings about the situation aside, most people are just making an observation.

    ---------- Post added 15th Apr 2016 at 03:09 PM ----------

    More like hook-up app, and yeah, that's why it's censored.
     
    #11 RawringSnake, Apr 15, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2016
  12. Rainsworth

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    This is slightly off-topic and may seem like a weird question to ask, but, is it common in white males -except mediterranean ones- to not be able to grow proper facial hair?
     
  13. BradThePug

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    I'll take it as a compliment usually. It really only causes problems for me when people accuse me of using a fake ID or something like that.
     
  14. imnotreallysure

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    I think it's worse for guys to be told they look younger. I mean, guys don't want to look older than their actual age either but while a lot of men place huge importance on youth and beauty in women, women don't have the same standards for men.

    Not sure. I definitely think people of certain ethnic origins grow hair easier in general - for example, Middle Eastern men tend to be quite hairy all over, and tend to grow facial hair at younger ages. However, I've seen 17 and 18 year old white guys with proper facial hair.. it just varies from person to person.
     
    #14 imnotreallysure, Apr 15, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2016
  15. thepandaboss

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    I'm tired of hearing it. It's just another reminder I'm trans. I'm tired of being treated like a goddamned little kid.
     
  16. jaska

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    I'm not bothered by it, but only when people think my brother who is two years younger is older than me
     
  17. Aspen

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    I take it as neither. It's more an expression of surprise than anything. I'm almost 23 and regularly get mistaken for being in my teens. I've only had two people in my entire life correctly guess my age (once at 9 and once at 18). Last summer I was somewhere with an 18+ limit and someone asked to see my ID. He apologized and admitted that he'd thought I was 14. I'm sick to death of it but I take it in stride. I have yet to run into anyone that means anything bad by it.
     
  18. Andrew99

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    Unfortunately it's the other way around for me.
     
  19. Calf

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    I had a friend five years older than me and whenever we got the bus together, the driver would automatically assume his age and charge him the half price kids ticket while I paid full price. In that instance I was definitely the only one that took any offence.
     
  20. timo

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    Definitely a compliment. I always feel flattered if people think I'm younger than I actually am.

    I envy you. Shaving sucks.