Community Chat

[Anonymous032819]

Why are some people afraid of getting old(er)?

I'm not afraid to say my age.

I am 48.

Yet, some people refuse to say how old they are.

Why?

There's no "shame" in being the age that you are.

I even work with some who won't say how old they are.

I just don't get it.

There was one poster, a long time ago, who posted that she was going to try to get her birth date changed on her birth certificate to reflect a younger age!

Why are some people so afraid to reveal their age?

[rms1954]

I couldn't say.  Maybe ask the person who doesn't want to say.

[sunshine45]

i dont know why......if someone asks, i tell them.

sometimes even if they dont ask i tell them.

sunshine45 is 57.

[Shorty2U]

Vanity maybe? PS (I dont say my exact age online due to privacy)

[patbz]

When I was single (got married at 40, only child when I was 45) I usually dated guys who were 2-10 years younger than I.  Sometimes they had no idea of my age (I guess I look/act a bit younger) so, if we went out for a while, I'd reference something in a conversation that would definitely give my age away (ex.  "I was in college when Roger Staubach was at Annapolis" ); To me, in this situation, I was not comfortable just blurting out"Do you know How much older I am than you? ". My DH is 7 yrs younger; I dont think anything of that difference, as basically we came from very similar backgrounds only on opposite coasts!

[this is my nic]

Some people don't choose to reveal their ages because of being judged.  Over a certain age?  Well, you must be sitting on your rocking chair knitting charming little items like covers for the rolls of toilet paper.  Ageism exists, some people don't care to play that game. 

[Mistic]

I honestly don't have a clue.  It is what it is ~ I'm 63.

My Sister has a friend who, when asked, "adds" 10 years to her real age.  She loves it when they say how great she looks!  

[Snowpuppy]

It's nobody's business. Like your marital/relationship status, the number of children you have and the salary you earn. I'm sorry but my co workers are just that and not friends.

Where I work the Big Boss is known to seek out personal info thru co workers. How old are you is usually another way of asking if someone will be eligible for the early retirement buyout they offer from time to time.

As others said, ageism in the workplace is real.

[kitcat51]

Their age is their business & some want to keep their business private.

[Venezia]

I wouldn't dream of being rude enough to ask someone her/his age.  Unless I'm in a line of work (like a health professional) where it's necessary information, it's none of my business.

What has someone's age got to do with anything?  And just because some people don't divulge their age to anyone who asks, doesn't mean those people are afraid of getting older.

@Anonymous032819  - You say "some people refuse to say how old they are".  Do you make it a habit to ask, whether with friends or co-workers?  If asked by someone who had no need to know, I'd tell that person it was none of her business.  Doesn't make me afraid of getting older; I simply refuse to divulge personal information to anyone with unwarranted curiosity.

These days you can't be too careful with your personal information.  And face it, some people are just plain nosy.