I often feel youthful at heart, as if I’m still 21. It astonishes me that I’ve managed to navigate adult life for this long. However, there have been moments when younger individuals have made me feel my age, and those instances can sting. I suspect that these encounters will only become more frequent as time goes on. Here are four occasions when I felt age-shamed by younger women.
1. The Consignment Shop
Instead of donating my old clothes, I decided to try my luck at a local consignment store I passed on my way to get coffee. I thought they would welcome my nicer items. I rolled in with a suitcase full of garments and set it on the counter. As I browsed, the teenage clerk approached me with some disheartening news. “Um, your clothes are like, too mature for our store. We can’t take any of them.” Stunned, I replied, “Really? There’s stuff from Anthropologie in there.” She just shrugged, looking away.
2. Justin Timberlake Concert
When Justin Timberlake performed in town, my friends and I eagerly attended the concert. During a cover of Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison,” I lost my cool and danced like there was no tomorrow. To my surprise, I noticed two young women behind us recording our antics. They exchanged eye rolls and shrugs, as if to say we were too old to be having fun. In response, I intensified my dancing, determined to show them that age was just a number.
3. A Busy Downtown Bar
Ordering a drink in a crowded bar is one of my least favorite activities. As I maneuvered through the crowd, I noticed the bartender checking IDs. I had mine ready, thinking it would save time. However, when it was my turn, the bartender didn’t even ask for my ID. I pulled it out, and she waved it away, laughing. “Don’t you need to see my ID?” I asked, feeling a rush of embarrassment as laughter erupted around me.
4. Forever 21
This one was almost predictable. Despite my taste in clothing leaning towards more sophisticated brands like Anthropologie, I occasionally find myself in Forever 21, looking for something fun and inexpensive. When I approached the counter, the young cashier asked, “Do you need a gift receipt?” I replied no, but then she hesitated and said, “Oh, I thought you were buying a gift for someone. Is this for you?” I was so flabbergasted that I can’t recall my exact reaction. In my mind, I imagined flipping over display tables in frustration.
I can’t truly blame these younger women for their perceptions of me. There was a time when I viewed women my age in the same light. Eventually, they too will experience moments of realization, like when they are suddenly asked for their ID at a bar or when they find themselves dancing at a concert, only to hear snickers from younger spectators. It’s all part of the cycle, and while it stings, it is important to remember that age is merely a number.
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Summary
In this article, the author shares personal anecdotes highlighting moments of age-shaming from younger women. From a consignment shop to a concert, each experience underscores the ongoing struggle with age perceptions and the realization that age does not define one’s spirit or ability to enjoy life.