[EglantineRose]

So, I am 24 years old, and often get told that I look younger than my age. I
am fairly slim/petite with a small nose, etc. I am studying at university, and
people mistake me as being a first year student (I am in some first year classes, so I guess I blend in?)
The other day I went to a restaurant with one of my family members, and we
sat in the lounge part of the restaurant. The legal age to drink where I live is
19. Anyways, a waitress came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder and said "are you at least 19, hun?" I said "yes, I am 24." It was really embarrassing and made me feel bad about myself. I was sick that day so I
was dressed really casually and did not have any make-up on.
I have had a lot of experiences like the one above, but also a lot of experiences of being mistreated by people. Sometimes cashiers are really rude to me, for example. I feel like I don't get treated with the respect I deserve (or that ALL people deserve to be treated with).
This bothers me because, although I might APPEAR young, I feel older for my age. I am not into the party/drinking scene, and I'd like to think of myself as fairly mature.
Although I feel bad about myself because of this, I also know that there is
much more to life than appearance. Qualities such as being honest and a good person are by far more important. Still, I often wonder if I looked different if I'd be treated better.

[BrazenApogee]

No matter how we change ourselves, we are still with ourselves. I remember looking too old when I was a teen, then too young as a young adult like yourself. Now I'm a bit older and I wish I looked young again.

Should you feel bad for being you? Certainly not. Be you, it's ok

[June55]

I get it too. It's fun. Just role with it.

[*freak*]

I look exactly like I did in high school and I'm 27 now. People always assume I'm in my late teens and they always do a double take when I tell them how old I actually am. Cashiers treat me with less respect than someone younger who wears make-up (I don't) and wears nice clothes (I don't do this either, all my clothes are black and somewhat alternative-looking and most of them are very cheap). I've been rocking alternative hairstyles and clothing for several years now and I'm used to being treated less favorably (although this was happening when I dressed normally as well). When it does bother me, I remind myself that if someone judges me solely because of my appearance, that has nothing to do with me and everything to do with their own maturity. I might look much younger than I am, but at least I know to treat people with respect

My advice is not to let it bother you. There's absolutely nothing you should feel bad about

[TRIP]

Looking young should make you feel great about yourself. I look really young too so people often talk down to me. However once I open my mouth they realise I'm older than I look. I enjoy the look on their faces when they realise that. So I think it's what you saying as well, how you come across. I'm not super confident but am good at faking confidence. Perhaps try that? Speak with a bit of authority in your voice and you'll get the respect you deserve. You'll always come across rude people, but please don't allow them to make you feel bad. Don't give them that power

[MickeyCheeky]

See the bright side: you'll probably be happy to look younger in a few years

But even if you don't.. I'm sure that your personality and good qualities will be much more important to the people that actually love you and care about you

[KarenSue]

I'm so sorry this bothers you and has an effect on how you feel about yourself. Looking young does have it's advantages, especially as you age. I too looked young, and still do! I'm 57 and pass for 40 all the time. (But I love telling ppl my actual age!)

Our drinking age is 21 and my son was carded until he was 35! Maybe this saying will help you feel better about yourself if you will remember it. My mom told me this as a child:

"KS you are not better than anyone else, but you are just as good!"

My self-esteem rises when I think of her wise words from my childhood. She is 90 now and does not remember them all, but many resonate in my brain when a situation comes up, just like the quote I just repeated. I shall try to carry on her wisdom.

Be happy, dear EglantineRose. You are just as good as anybody else, always.

[Unrigged64072835]

You shouldn't have to feel bad about yourself. Just because people are biased and don't understand doesn't mean you should feel bad about it. I would enjoy looking younger. I'm older now and wish I could've kept some of my youth.