Why we lie about age
Cindy on February 26th, 2009
How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? — Satchel Paige
Whether we use Nice ‘n Easy to hide our graying temples or refuse to show our drivers’ licenses, most of us secretly hope to appear younger than we are. But why is it so hard for smart women to age honestly? Last month, I polled several of my middle-aged female friends and colleagues, asking if they lie about their age. Since I promised not to use their real names, the answers that came back to me were candid – and as eye-opening as Olay’s best anti-wrinkle serum. Read more in this week’s MIDPOINT column in The Oakland Press.
February 26th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I never lie about my age and now I finally look the age I am which is … odd feeling.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:32 am
I have never hidden my age, but after reading this I had to admit that secretly I AM pleased whenever I tell someone the number they respond with something like “You don’t look 53!”
February 27th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Me too, Cindy Harrison!
February 27th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Yep, I like it when I’m told I look 10 years younger than I am. But, the age thing is tricky. There is real age discrimination out there so from a professional perspective, it may be best to keep it a little under wraps. Not sayin’ it’s right, I’m just sayin’ it is
February 27th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I agree, Allison. Most of the women I interviewed told me they kept their age under wraps mainly because of discrimination on the job. In a culture that values youth over the wisdom of experience, we have to do what we can to stay in the game…
February 28th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I never lie about my age- totally on board with Mark Twain- but I do also long for the “you don’t look that old” comment. It’s just an adjustment for me- having always looked younger than I am- to be old. I don’t dye my hair but I wouldn’t mind having a jiggly free body! Oh vanity- what a curse!
February 28th, 2009 at 9:06 am
WHEN YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS – THE THINGS YOU LOOK AT CHANGE (Wayne Dyer)
Worrying about your age is a barrier you impose upon yourself. I find as I get older, the “I have to” list is slowly being replaced by the “I want to” list.
I now have the time to work on a Masters degree because “I want to” not because “I have to” for a job promotion.
I don’t try as hard to be a people-pleaser because life has taught me “I don’t have to.”
I try to let my years free me not limit me.
Do I wish I were younger sometimes? Yes, but mostly because I’m having so much fun and I wish I had adopted this freeing attitude when I was younger and saved myself so much unnecessary worrying about thing I really “didn’t have to!”
March 1st, 2009 at 9:50 am
The best thing I ever did was stop dyeing my hair a few years ago. Now I have this great mane of silver and grey which I love.
I frankly don’t give a fart about telling people how old I am (55). Not that they often ask. I think we women, not just the media, perpetuate the problem by allowing it to matter and allowing people to tell us it matters. Screw it.