Looking young?

Growing up, I'm often said to look younger than my actual age. Though I doubt those people will still think the same if they were to see me with my group of friends - since I'm certain I don't look any younger than them of the same age - I always felt pleased to hear such a statement. I always think it's good to look young, though in some ways maybe not.

I recall a trip with my family to Genting Highlands when I was about 14 or 15. At a buffet place, we're supposed to pay before entrance, and like many other places, entrance fees for children under 12 was half of that of the adults'. The lady at the counter thought of me as a kid, so I entered the restaurant paying only half of what I should have paid.

Frog riding?

Now, my brother (who's three years younger) and I are occasionally asked if he was the older sibling. He likes it, and will often pat my head calling me mei mei (younger sister in Mandarin) in such cases.

Recently, there's been a booth at a shopping mall we often go to (I won't say where and what booth), and the volunteers stand around the place and come up to you with a surveying sort of form, asking you to fill it up.

On the first encounter, they approached my mum with the form (but were then rejected). A few weeks later, I walked by the booth alone. The girl, presumably about my age, kept smiling at me so I returned a smile. She asked if I was a student and I said yeah, thinking "oh they only want those who're working so they wouldn't ask me to do it if I'm a student".

Unexpectedly, she continued, "secondary school?"

I paused for a moment with my head blank, and spontaneously, gave her a "yeah" reply. I wasn't intending to flee with that answer, but the positive reply came so naturally I didn't know why I said so.

Anyway, what's more shocking was, the girl giggled and said, "Yeah I can see that."

Like wow. I felt so sorry. I didn't know why I admitted that I'm a secondary scholar while I'm actually a college graduate, yet she said it was obvious I'm the former.

Anyway, at least then I know they only wanted to survey people above 18. So today, when I passed by again, a guy asked where I was studying. Being my natural easily guilt-ridden self, I doubtfully, evasively and slowly said, "S...M..K..? Su..bang... Ja..ya..?"

(So sorry but I didn't want to stop there and fill up forms when I'm shopping) The guy gave me a puzzled face for a moment and said, "SMK?" I remained silent feeling extremely guilty, and he asked, "HOW OLD ARE YOU?!"

I said, "Seven..teen..?" (OMYGOSH I'M SO SORRY) Then the guy said, "OH MY GOSH I thought you are in college!" I grinned remorsefully as he said thank you and I went off feeling as apologetic as ever.

Now I wonder, do guys and girls have different perception of people's age? Since the both thought of me differently. Was it because I dressed more maturely today than on the previous encounter? Or perhaps my hair grew longer, making me look older.

The thing is, honestly speaking, it did hit me for awhile that I didn't look young to him. Sadly. Though "college student" could mean I look 18-20, which considerably still means I look young.

Anyway, that's for today. I should get a haircut soon.

Snip the age off. Aha!

...but no I'm not that desperate about wanting to look young. *guffaw* It's just that my hair's getting kinda long and it can be troublesome sometimes.

Stay well. =)