I'm 19 but I look literally 15-years-old so people don't treat me like an adult?

Question

I'm legally an adult and I live on my own and pay my own rent. But Iook 15 and people don't treat me like an adult. Like if I want to rent an appartment then they stare at me funny and ask me where my parents are. How do I get treated like an adult?

Answer 1

I feel you, I look younger than I am, too. Just do your thing, be patient, and expect to be carded and have that id ready. Time will always be on your side, and this will be a blessing in years to come!

Answer 2

I'm 22 and facing this problem too. I just tend to dress a little nicer and work hard not to come across as a teenager. For example if I'm schlepping around the store with no makeup and in sweats, people tend to assume I'm a teen. But I find if you take a few extra minutes to dress a bit nicer than usual and carry yourself well people will take you more seriously.

Answer 3

Soon enough you will be glad you look younger than you are... but for now I bet it is a real pain. I would start with working on how you act and carry yourself. Stand up straight, speak clearly and properly. Pay attention to your hairstyle and clothing - wearing slacks and a nice shirt instead of jeans and a t-shirt will make you look older and more mature. Look people in the eyes and have a strong confident handshake when you meet someone. All this will help people take you seriously.

Answer 4

Hey man, I'M 15! And I get treated like I'm 10 or something. I'm going into 9th and I'm shorter then some 5th graders.  Or 6th.  I'm supposed to grow after high school.  I get made fun of all the time because I still have a junior set of golf clubs.  My co-workers always make fun of me (we work at a golf course for the pro shop).  I'm definitely checking up on this question.  I hate getting that stuff too.  It's like why can't people except some one that's not average size.

(Sorry about not answering your question, I was just letting you know that there's at least another person going through what you are.)

Answer 5

I'm 28 and look like i'm about 18.  I still get treated like a teenager.  You just have to rise above the other people and as long as you act mature you'll be able to get through it.  On the plus side having this "problem" helps to weed out the people who discrimate against the younger crowd.  You don't want to be doing business with these people anyway.

Answer 6

i'm the opposite, i look 19 and i'm 14, when i went to a restaurant the other day, they poured me a glass of wine :)

i know its really annouying when people expect you're at a different age.

Answer 7

act more adult like

Answer 8

i have the same problem you do. i'm 19 and people always think i'm younger so they just think i'm some dumb high school kid. they take me more seriously when i can demonstrate that i am more mature than that by speaking like an adult. it also helps when i mention that i'm about to graduate from college with my associates.

~cathy

Answer 9

I think it's a lucky thing.........

You should enjoy, if you are younger then your age...

Csongor

Answer 10

Take that as an advantage of you.

If people notice that you sound mature than your age they will ask you... what is your secret of being young looking.

In some years to come you need to look younger than your actual age. You are ahead now.

Talk and act like an adult one.

You'll surprise them.

Answer 11

When those who don't know treat you as a little girl, take it as a compliment :] You should be glad that you don't look older than your actual age. I'm Asian, and even though I'm 17, people (mostly Caucasians) think that I'm at most 15.

All you need to do is do your job right and be responsible. If they stay around you long enough, they will get to know the real you. If they are just passer-bys, strangers, etc, just smile and feel happy that childhood is still around you :)

But if they take you as a joke, put them in their place and tell them to have some respect.

Hope that helped!

Answer 12

You get treated as an adult by being patient, letting your physical age catch up to your chronological age.  Don't let it upset you too much because in 10 years when you desperately want to look a few years younger, indeed you will.

Really the bottom line is to get treated as an adult you must continue acting as an adult from here on out.