Respond to sarcasm with grace.
If you look young, it's inevitable that someone's going to comment on your appearance. "How old are you, anyway?" "Hey, are you a female 'Doogie Howser'?" "You don't look old enough to be in charge of a department."
Though it's tempting to respond emotionally to such inappropriate statements, resist the temptation. Don't make your young appearance a basis for conversation. After all, it's not relevant; your competence is.
Nothing is impossible for the motivated young woman. With a little forethought, you can put your best - and most mature - foot forward. By acting like a professional, you'll be treated like one; even if you get carded into your thirties.
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| Philly_Girrrl | |
| I agree with other's comments...Lily, I too had braces for about 1.5 years and just got them off about 10 months ago (I will be 29 next week)...so I know what it is like to look young anyway and have braces on top of that...don't stress you will get through it and have a beautiful smile (which, trust me is worth it in the end!)!! I still get carded and still am the youngest at the office...All the tips in the article are great. And I agree...when did it become appropriate to ask how old someone at work is... | |
| space_cowgirl | |
| thanks for this article- I wholeheartedly agree that it's difficult for us who look younger to be taken seriously at the office. I'm 24 years old and work at a law firm, yet my height (5'2) and possibly my ethnicity (asians tend to look younger) make people think I'm still 14. Give me a break! This article has really awesome tips that I will be using. I am now in the process of eliminating my usage of 'like' in my everyday speak :-) | |
| Olivia -- Tucson | |
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| lily -- Los Angeles | |
| I am a twenty-something with braces. It is definitely not fun to when people still mistake me for a highschooler even though I have a real job. Don't even get me started with what some people say to me at bars. I appreciate the advice and thank you for the article- because sometimes it's hard to be taken seriosly when age isn't on your side. | |