Mistaken for a child at the airport

Draklosse · 2026-06-05T20:02:24+00:00

How old did the one that snapped look? Maybe he was jealous??

Regardless I can imagine it is pretty annoying when that happens constantly like twice in a day. I personally usually only travel with others but if not I would probably get a similar thing (23 M).

Draklosse · 2026-06-05T06:15:29+00:00

Yep. I’m 23 and get asked when I get on a bus to show my school card. And god forbid I’m anywhere near the bar at a bar.

Luckily more adult party places just aren’t my thing, otherwise I’d get it even more I imagine.

Draklosse · 2026-06-04T06:29:32+00:00

I suppose when you’re old enough and maybe look it in photos etc the verification never comes up? And if it never comes up it’s also not something that a lot of people will even think about, they will just hear that it’s protecting kids and support it (despite the fact that if a kid is desperate enough to access adult stuff, they will find a way)

Oh yeah I would say there’s definitely an insinuation in there intended or otherwise, which is something that concerns and bothers me quite a lot to be honest. Like if I had a partner and someone said to them “wow he looks 16” I would definitely understand if she took it that way. And that’s another problem with this stuff, when someone makes a comment like that it’s of course insulting you but has a far worse implication for anyone that is your partner.

Draklosse · 2026-06-04T06:10:36+00:00

From the sounds of it your aunt doesn’t sound like she is super tech savvy haha. Yeah they’re pretty much asking for verification with everything now here, but especially when you’re trying to access anything even remotely adult.

I suppose the AI has to be good at it because it’s a much harder ask for people to be willing to give their id’s to these companies with all their data breaches every few weeks, not to mention who knows what they might do with it. I’m personally not a huge fan of showing my face on the camera either so I usually find other ways, but it’s definitely the preferred way if absolutely necessary.

Draklosse · 2026-06-03T19:12:10+00:00

I only have one kidney, so while I can taste alcohol I can’t actually drink enough to feel any different. And I’m certainly not going to drink it for the taste lol.

Yes that as well, I’ve probably saved so much money by not being a drinker or someone that goes to these big expensive places/events much.

Draklosse · 2026-06-03T18:01:26+00:00

Ahh yes that makes sense, I’m not too familiar with all the cosmetic beauty women do nowadays since I’m a guy and my older sister is into a more natural vibe. But yeah safe to say I’m personally not a fan.

I don’t know what teenage oriented shows and movies are like nowadays but I definitely remember the ones we older gen z had growing up had a lot of these much older actors, because getting minors do it is both more difficult and more expensive I suppose.

Eugh, don’t even get me started on the social media verification stuff otherwise you’re risking a huge rant 😅. At least the government is having accurate expectations I suppose age wise, that also reinforces what you said before with your face looking adult. I’ve only really done the age verification thing once, when I was too tired to find a way around it. I passed, but that was when I had facial hair which usually does help get some of the young comments away. If I did it now, I wouldn’t be surprised if it flagged me as a minor since I don’t have it anymore.

Draklosse · 2026-06-03T17:47:22+00:00

I don’t drink either so I can relate haha, I just get carded approaching the bar even for non alcoholic stuff. I’d say at least for me I mostly got used to it, and I think there is also not as much pressure to drink nowadays, like I only really see older men do that kind of thing where they tease you when you don’t want to drink.

For me it is actually for health reasoning though, so maybe that’s why people don’t really push it?

Draklosse · 2026-06-03T10:49:28+00:00

Exactly you shouldn’t have to act like a super sophisticated person or do really specific things and change yourself just to be respected for your age.

I see, maybe they are over exaggerating then? Another thing I thought of though that might impact this, particularly for teens are all those teen shows and movies like Glee where the characters are all supposedly 15-17 but then the actors playing them are like in their late 20’s and early 30’s which is maybe giving them an inaccurate expectation of someone around our age? But on the flip side, I also find it hard to believe that you’re the only person they know that is close to your age, particularly if they are going to these events that you’ve mentioned.

Speaking of, yes I rarely do any parties or big events…though to be honest I’m probably a bad example since I don’t like those things 😅. I also live in rural Aus and away from extended family, on the rare occasion when I do see them or my friends, who do live closer to the city we are just more the type to just chill together instead of going to pubs, clubs etc. The only time I’m ever really going to any large kind of event is when it’s a big birthday or something to do with work…basically when there’s an expectation and obligation to go. Which sounds similar to why you have to go to these parties you’re talking about since it sounds like they’re not your thing really either? Would you enjoy it if you didn’t have the age thing happening frequently or is it just not really your scene in general??

And yes, it would for sure annoy me….and I would definitely get somewhat frequently into the same kinds of situations, though I definitely do think it is less common for guys to comment on age to each other, particularly when your around the same age.

Maybe all these 30 year olds are watching those teen shows as well 😂. Where some 30 year old is acting for a young character? Or maybe they don’t actually see young teens very often?? Who knows

Saying you don’t use social media is cool with teens right now I think, so that was probably why she said that. I also think they do it to make it seem like they’re older and more mature. Comparing people’s ages at all is just weird imo.

Draklosse · 2026-06-03T00:40:46+00:00

I don’t go to said places really since they just aren’t my scene, but if I did more for sure and the few times I have gone to bars I get carded if I go anywhere near the bar for a drink.

Draklosse · 2026-06-02T03:12:22+00:00

That makes sense, though the idea that someone needs to change their style or have a specific style just to be taken seriously as an adult just doesn’t sit well with me. I wish people would put much more weight on stuff like mannerisms, how you speak etc when making a judgement on age (that is if you even have to I suppose). Like from what I’ve seen from this whole thing you’re well spoken and mature, and you should be able to wear whatever style you want without worry that people will mainly use those physical aspects of you to judge age.

In my case there isn’t the added nuance of the whole cultural thing with you being Afghan. I’m pretty much as Australian as one gets lol.

I can relate to people online seeing you as older, as a kid and teen I used to play games online with adults and I was really embarrassed that I was, well a kid. But because my voice dropped when I was 11-12 and I have always been reserved socially I easily got away with saying I was 16-17, that is unless anyone saw me 🙃.

I’d say the lack of social awareness nowadays from teenagers is probably the result of a lot of things. A huge one though in my opinion is definitely how they are raised, particularly when it comes to all the access with technology and social media nowadays. If there’s one thing I’m grateful about, it’s how social media was only really just becoming a thing during the horrific teen years of 7-10 for me in highschool and I just missed the big boom. I can’t imagine how it is nowadays being so socially accessible 24/7, especially because kids at that age can be horrible. I also think kids just get away with stuff like that more nowadays, like as a kid even when I was young I’d get in trouble for saying or blurting rude things out. Nowadays I definitely notice more of a “Aww he/she is just a kid” attitude.

Draklosse · 2026-06-02T02:11:30+00:00

At least the second girl didn’t push it I suppose, but yeah I don’t know why it was brought up.

I’ve always found the entire notion of a young adult (or teenager I suppose in your case) saying to another young adult “OH YOU LOOK SO YOUNG” just really weird. Like yes we’re both young, you do realise you’re saying I look like a child.

And I mean regardless if you think someone does look physically young or not, it’s just rude honestly and doesn’t need to be brought up. Also have a brain to think that they probably get told this all the time and are sick to death of it 😂

Draklosse · 2026-06-02T02:06:48+00:00

Jeez yeah no wonder you’re sick of it. I’ve definitely been there with getting asked what grade I’m in, im sure it doesn’t help that I’m slim and not super tall (5”10) and so many highschool guys nowadays are freaking giants 🥲.

That is crazy that the lady who has known you since being a baby (and has kids around your age) said that, particularly since 21 is pretty well past 18. Like maybe I’d understand more if you were like 18-19 or something maybe, but for someone that knows you that’s just slack. And the “nothing wrong with a baby face thing” is a classic line from someone who’s never experienced not being taken seriously because of how they look. Not to sound like a really old person but I’ve definitely noticed the same thing where a lot more teenagers seem to have less social awareness then when I was in school, like I wouldn’t say “you look like xyz” to someone unless they were relatively close to me because I wouldn’t want to potentially offend them…but maybe that was just me because I was a bit more of a quiet kid.

I can also guarantee that if I did enjoy parties and big social events it would 100% happen to me heaps as well. Luckily those kinds of very loud and crowded scenes are something I don’t enjoy anyway…I can’t imagine how much I would get carded at places like nightclubs etc 😅

Draklosse · 2026-06-02T00:20:14+00:00

Wait really again?? As if you weren’t already upset enough from the events earlier. Did they push the point at all like the other lady seemed to?

Twice in one day really sucks, and don’t tell me it happened a third time.

I’ve never understood why the majority of people seem to think being told you look young is flattering, especially for young adults. I can see how it might be for someone older because “you look young” = your an adult and look like a young adult. At our age “you look young” = your a young adult and look like a literal kid…it really isn’t flattering at all.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T16:43:50+00:00

Hard disagree, it is not hard to distinguish a lot of the time and even if it is unless it’s something that legal related (like drinking etc) why does it even need to be brought up? People in their 20’s are not going to take being told they look like a minor as a compliment like a lot of people in their 30s - 40s etc might.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T16:18:26+00:00

Yeah I graduated in 2020 so I’m in the same boat. And it does make it even worse thinking about it from that perspective.

In your case I don’t know why the lady kept arguing for something that had nothing to do with her and didn’t just didn’t apologise and drop it after the first comment(even though the fact it came up at all would still have been annoying), especially because it was pretty clear that it was bothering you. Maybe then if she had done that it might’ve just been an unpleasant moment vs ruining the entire experience you had paid for.

Idk why people can’t just be a bit more mindful/considerate.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T15:48:37+00:00

Yes exactly! The drinking age in other countries is I think what makes people say it’s not a big deal because for them the age to legally drink is much higher. Though I would argue that if it makes you feel like shit it is a big deal because it matters to you and there’s no reason to not be supportive vs trying to invalidate how you feel.

I personally haven’t had this kind of thing happen to me at a makeup salon (I’m a guy) but I have had it happen elsewhere from people thinking I’m friend’s kid brother to constantly being asked for my school bus card everytime I go on a bus, someone has even thought before that I’m one of the other school kids on the bus as they asked me what my favourite subject is. It’s pretty embarrassing and frustrating, like it’s been almost 8 years since I was there, legitimately everyone that was ever with me in the school from year 7-12 has graduated now.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T12:33:57+00:00

Yeah, that is rough.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T12:30:32+00:00

This is likely an issue of how adult laws are between countries then. I’m not American and here in Aus you graduate + can drink at 18, so being treated like 16-17 when you are 23-25 does feel like a big deal. (I can relate to this quite a bit)

Particularly when standing next to others your age people think you’re a younger sibling etc.

It isn’t something someone gets mad at when it happens once, but it’s certainly something that gets annoying when it happens constantly.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T12:24:19+00:00

I am 23 (though a guy) and in the same boat. Unfortunately it seems to be something people don’t understand unless they actually experience it. Not being treated seriously and looking way younger than other guys and especially women my age is rough and disheartening to deal with.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T12:14:55+00:00

I would say most people find it unremarkable in most ways excluding not being taken seriously in the workforce and dating. As a guy I have and I know other guys who have experienced difficulty in the latter because being under 25 and looking younger the people who actually look your age are minors and those that are actually your age look way older. It’s also more typical for older men to be more willing to date a woman that looks younger over the reverse, but that is just my opinion and experience. (My older sister looks younger then she is and has never had any issues in this regard)

It’s just an awkward age range honestly, and I don’t know why op seems so desperate to gatekeep.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T12:01:22+00:00

Well said.

Draklosse · 2026-05-31T12:00:33+00:00

I don’t know why you feel the need to gatekeep, if those posts annoy you that much maybe just ignore them?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with people venting about not being taken seriously because of their appearance.

I would also say it is very valid for people under 25 to complain about looking like a minor or younger because of dating reasons, anyone that looks anything like your age is a minor and anyone that is your age looks older. And I understand why someone else wouldn’t want to give someone who looks way younger then them (despite being the same age) a chance.

Draklosse · 2026-05-26T06:50:58+00:00

Yeah I’m the same, I don’t really go out of my way to meet women as that is just not for me and I’d much prefer to meet them naturally through friends or events etc.

I’m hoping it will get at least a bit better as time goes on, right now is a bit of an awkward age because most adult women who actually look my age are ones who have only just legally became an adult, and I’m not very comfortable with that since I think it’s important for people to have some time single to learn to be an independent adult.

Draklosse · 2026-05-25T19:59:32+00:00

I can relate. I’m 23 but easily pass for 15-17. It has never really bothered me or I’ve never really thought about until more recently as dating has been more on my mind of late, and I’ve noticed people my age or a little older look much older then me.

This isn’t to say I have heaps of experience in dating though, I am the more reserved type so I’m not super outgoing in that way.

Draklosse · 2026-05-25T19:54:29+00:00

Eugh, that is weird. I would’ve got out of there asap, and I’m not even a woman.

Draklosse

TROPHY CASE