On Friday I had lunch with a co-worker. She's 42 & she told me she just got a "New Makeover"--with a new hairstyle & new makeup. I told her that she looks really great--and she talked about how great she feels. She was smiling and happy.. A few minutes later, I told her that my real age--that I'm 30 years old. All the sudden, her face dropped, she Stopped Smiling, & looked Nervous & a little sad--and I could tell that her mouth was shaking a bit. She stopped talking. I asked her if she was 'Okay'--she said... "Yes-I'm just waiting for you to tell me your real age".......
I didnt say anything--but people often mistake me for being in high school because I look very, very young. I dont wear makeup but people tell me I am "pretty" and "beautiful".. I dont, drink or smoke, & I take viatmins to stay youthful. I have modeled before--but I'm not stuck up...Later on, she kept asking me my "real age"..
WHY DID MY CO-WORKER HAVE SUCH A STRONG REACTION LIKE THAT?
2006-08-13 07:28:43 · 15 answers · asked by Plus-Sized &Proud 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
A better question is, why did you feel the need to burst her bubble? Were you trying to steer the conversation around to brag about yourself? The poor woman was having a feel good day, and your egotism ruined it. Stop being so selfish!
2006-08-13 07:35:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can't help thinking your co-worker is really neurotic, but maybe I'm callous because I look on the young side for my age too. It's just a fact that has more to do with genetics than lifestyle, that some people age in their appearance more than others. So, your co-worker was feeling bad about her ageing face, then got a new hairstyle and make up and felt better, then felt sorry for herself again when she was reminded that because of the unfair genetic lottery, some people don't need to make so much effort. She would feel better if she didn't buy into our superficial culture that values youth and beauty over age and wisdom.
2006-08-13 07:45:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Age for one is a state of mind. Age for two is people age differently, some better than others.
Your RealAge is the biological age of your body, based on how well you've maintained it.
Take the RealAge test, learn your RealAge, and receive your free personalized RealAge Plan. Either site will get you there. It has all the factors that make some people age faster.
Some have to do with race as well. Have fun with the test but it is real fact based. Share it with your friend, it might help her in the future.
It is also Oprah approved.
2006-08-13 07:41:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am 29 and have 3 kids. People do this to me all the time. I youthful and try to enjoy what I can. I am also thin.
I get those same responses, when people find out I am 29, they tellme I can't be a day over 19. Then they go on to bitterly tell me things like: ' I wish I was as thin as you." I wish I could wear cllothes like that." I wish I could wear my hair like that." "When I was 30 I already had wrinkles and grey hair."
I do have grey hair, but I color it. :P
2006-08-13 07:37:48 · answer #4 · answered by Gothic Martha™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are your looks the only thing of value you have? Is that why you felt the need to burst her bubble? Do you feel more validated now? You are narcissistic and shallow. You know exaclty what you have done. Why did you tell her how old you are if you didn't intend to hurt her feelings or make her feel inferior? Duh. Did it give you a boost to your ego to make her feel bad? You will be ashamed of yourself later, when someone does something like this to you......you may be pretty on the outside but it's clear that you feel ugly inside.
The way perople treat others is a reflection of how they feel about themselves.
2006-08-13 08:36:00 · answer #5 · answered by pandora the cat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, some women can't accept themselves for all their good qualities as a whole, but rather devalue themselves based on superficial ideals. We blame men for objectifying women, but as often as not, it's us. She somehow felt that her makeover that she was feeling so good about a few minutes before was now null and void simply because of your perceived youthfulness.
2006-08-13 08:12:57 · answer #6 · answered by nimbleminx 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She felt dejected because she had to try extremely hard to look youthful, while you acheived it apparently without effort. Self-confidence seems to be a major issue for her, and seeing the apparent futility of her efforts must have been disheartening. She was jealous of you and sad that she couldn't have the luck with beauty that you claim to have.
2006-08-13 07:36:50 · answer #7 · answered by Pippin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just be glad you look young for your age. That could change regardless of non-smoking/drinking. I have to say that most 30 yr olds look younger than their years these days, just like most 50 yr olds look early 40s. ;-)
2006-08-13 07:38:04 · answer #8 · answered by Nani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The woman is a Crone and Crones are vain.. This woman is in denial and afraid of coming to terms with her "sagehood" so to speak. When your time comes you will have to "kiss the hag" when you get to this age as well, there will be no getting around it. The best thing this woman needs to do is to accept her age with grace and the knowledge and wisdom that she already has and to learn from it.
2006-08-13 07:48:01 · answer #9 · answered by Leilani L 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because conceit is a sad condition when it is on public display?
I don't know, it is a one sided situation. Maybe you misconstrued it because you were so blinded by your own youth and beauty?
Did you perhaps forget to mention how you stepped on her toe under the table when her faced dropped?
You can't leave those parts out of the story you know!
2006-08-13 07:33:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋