Cannot Distinguish People’s Age

On It · ‎03-15-2021

I think I have gotten to the age that I cannot accurately guess people's ages. Everyone looks young to me. I guess it is something like a child's perspective that everyone is old.

While my son was visiting recently the tv was muted but on QVC. One of the attractive younger hosts was on so I asked him how old he thought she was. I was stunned when he said 35. I thought she was much younger than that. Then reality set in and probably a 25 year old would not be hosting a show during prime hours. The problem seems to be with people under 60. I can guess the ages closer to my own.

"Law and Order" had an episode that mentioned older people are unreliable in providing the approximate age of a suspect. Is anyone else having this problem?

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

I've never been good at guessing a person's age, even when I was younger.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@On It

Well, there are a LOT more creams, potions and exercise equipment for people to use for fitness and staying attractive.

When I was a kid, there were housewives in my neighborhood of about 35 or 40 that looked 60. Generally speaking, exercise "routines" were much different, if people did much at all. Physical work was most peoples' exercise.

People take better care of themselves these days, and various little procedures are not only more affordable, but common. It's a whole new world when it comes to staying attractive and fit.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@On It wrote:
I think I have gotten to the age that I cannot accurately guess people's ages. Everyone looks young to me. I guess it is something like a child's perspective that everyone is old.

While my son was visiting recently the tv was muted but on QVC. One of the attractive younger hosts was on so I asked him how old he thought she was. I was stunned when he said 35. I thought she was much younger than that. Then reality set in and probably a 25 year old would not be hosting a show during prime hours. The problem seems to be with people under 60. I can guess the ages closer to my own.

"Law and Order" had an episode that mentioned older people are unreliable in providing the approximate age of a suspect. Is anyone else having this problem?

@On It All the 'work' done to many show business personalities has altered my ability to judge ages in everyone. The work done has changed what faces really look like at various ages so that I can't judge anymore.

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@On It

I was never good at guessing ages either young nor older people......and all the botox and other techniques and procedures these days that are done it makes it harder to tell....

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

jeanlake · ‎03-10-2010

It is difficult to guess ages. A neighbor told me she was 8 yrs younger than her hubs. I had to deadpan my expression. I guessed her to be a year or two older than him. She spends a lot of time in the sun. Since my hubs started shaving his head - which thinned out after covid - he says he looks older than me - we're a year apart in age. I've observed my rural cousins have aged faster than suburban/urban cousins. No offense to anyone - but it has been my observation. 38 - 52 are my toughest ages to guess.

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Henry David Thoreau

PA Mom-mom · ‎05-27-2015

@On It wrote:
I think I have gotten to the age that I cannot accurately guess people's ages. Everyone looks young to me. I guess it is something like a child's perspective that everyone is old.

While my son was visiting recently the tv was muted but on QVC. One of the attractive younger hosts was on so I asked him how old he thought she was. I was stunned when he said 35. I thought she was much younger than that. Then reality set in and probably a 25 year old would not be hosting a show during prime hours. The problem seems to be with people under 60. I can guess the ages closer to my own.

"Law and Order" had an episode that mentioned older people are unreliable in providing the approximate age of a suspect. Is anyone else having this problem?

@On It I agree with your first paragraph. When I was teaching, my HS students were 20 to 30 years younger than I was. They looked like babies! AND, I remember thinking each one of them was so very beautiful! The subject came up one day in class, and I told them when I looked at them I saw such beauty in each of them ( I guess because they were young and fresh looking). They were very surprised, and I think a little pleased.

minkbunny · ‎03-09-2010

It is really so subjective, depending on who is "guessing" an age I suppose. On Friday I was in line at Wal-Mart, one of two lines with a checker. A nice man in front of me said, I hope I don't have to wait long. I am 65 and don't have too much time to waste. I said, well, I am 72 so I have less than you. He carried on that I couldn't be 72, I looked way younger, etc etc.

Smiling, I said thank you - how sweet.

Went across the street to have lunch with friends at Wendy's. I was in line behind a young mother ( maybe in her 20s ) with a little girl about 4 or 5. She told her daughter, Hon, let's let the elderly lady in front of us. I looked around thinking that I, too, would offer the elderly woman my spot. Turns out the elderly lady was me. Could hardly be insulted at such a kind gesture as I am, of course, elderly. I said to her and her little girl the same thing I said to the man at Wal-Mart.

Smiling, I said thank you - how sweet.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

I think it's hard now because people just don't age they way we did. We have better nutrition, we are fitter, we're active and people now just continue being ourselves. Also skincare, haircare, injections help. Age really is just a number. My 75 year old BFF could tell anyone that she is 55 and no one would doubt her. Other than letting her hair go silver, she's the same gorgeous woman with the same life style that she has always been. And it's not just older people, it's younger people too. My girls and their friends all look 25 and they are a decade or more older. Honestly, I don't even try to guess anyone's age anymore.

september · ‎03-09-2010

Yes, agree with @minkbunny It's so subjective. I first noticed this with my now deceased husband, when he started referring to middle aged people as "young"! I was also younger than him, but in my mid fifties at the time, and usually in the same age group as these people.

Now I live in a 55+ community and hear residents referring to 60 year old people as "young"! We might be younger than the 80+ year old crowd, but we are middle aged! My granddaughters would call all of us "old". 🤪