HOW OLD ARE YOU?

How old are you?

   These words scare the living hell out of most individuals. Have you ever attend a birthday celebration and when the song gets to “How old are you now” the person says “I’m plus one year today”…funny isn’t it?

    Is there a stigma attached to age, are you confident of your age, are you proud of your age? People who are likely not to share their age feel there is stigma involved or they will be judged.

   Most Americans (75%) feel comfortable with their current age, and 81% are willing to reveal how old they are to others according to Harris Interactive Survey of 1,000 peoples ages 18 and older commissioned by Pfizer (source Do You Tell People How Old You Are: Why It May Not Be A Good Idea To Reveal Your Age By Emily Brandon)

N/B: Age has nothing to do with one’s capabilities to perform a job.

   Due to the advancement of the world today, majority people want to be youthful and vibrant but when asked of their age they either lie or fix an older age. The younger ones increase their age while the older ones reduce their age. (Like for real c’mon guys why the hoax?)

   I realize when I chat with some of my friends who are based abroad, they don’t lie about their age neither are they defensive about it, but my Nigeria friends OMG!!! It’s like their age is tied to their cloth and them telling me is like off taking their cloth meanwhile am open about mine. (It’s totally not fresh abeg)

Welcome to the new age discrimination…

   Every woman knows this to be true: when you tell someone your age, you give them the power to decide how you’re perceived. No matter your qualifications, people are predisposed to judge what you are really “worth” to them based on your age. The point of someone asking your age is almost always so that the asker can make a judgment about you based on that age - what other reason is there? Finding out your age is a way for people to size you up, put you in a specific box, determine their expectations for you, and decide whether you meet them sufficiently. (Source: Why i never tell anyone my age By Nisha Chittal)

Here is the solution

   Get your self-buried in your talents, expertise, and experience. Strive to make yourself recognized for something, something effective, something productive and dynamic. This way people are likely not to have any negative perception about you. The least they can say is “that young guy/girl is doing great things” or “that small boy/girl has money” either one it won’t change who you are or dent your worth. (You think Justin Bieber cares how old he is?)

   Ever come to think about this “Everyone in this world passed through the age you are no matter how big they are, strong they are, sexy they have become, they all walked butt naked, fell in love and got heartbroken at some point in their lives". It’s a normal phenomenon to be young and pass through certain numbers called age and of course get old and someday die.

   Another reason why people are so defensive about their age is that they want to be what they are not. I mean you can’t be in your early twenties and want to live a life of someone on in his/her thirties or fifties (what’s the rush?) I have come to realize that you pass one figure ones and not twice so it’s absolutely wise you enjoy every bit of it cos as you grow older, your responsibility increases, your looks changes, your character molds up, your wants/need diversify and you get sexier. Mind you, how you live your youthful life affects your older age. Will you want your old age to be boring due to how quick you quickened your maturity? (C’mon it’s not worth it.)

   We should stop stigmatizing people due to age differences, instead encourage them don’t forget this generation is a jet generation so there are countless number of achievement a younger person stands to embrace which you didn’t during your time. Maybe that explains why in this part of the world young citizens get little encouragement from the government and other older personnel. 

   I don’t recommend proactively talking about your age, but I wouldn’t refuse to tell how old you are. When next you asked about your age, discern why the person is asking before you conclude on your hindrance, if you are to say it, be bold and confident about it.

Happy Birthday to Me.

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