What's an appropriate response in this work situation?

Question

When asked - and I tell people my title and job responsibilities (overseeing lots of people, etc) they say, "wow you look very young". How should I best respond to that comment? And is it a compliment or a dig?

Thanks for your answers! Peace.

Answer 1

your handle is The Wise One?  Are you compliment seeking here?  OK, then

You must be sooooooooooooo smart!

Answer 2

if you feel it was a compliment, say thank you. if you feel it was a dig you can borrow a line from Mel Brooks "history of the world part 2" and just say "and you look like a bucket of s***"

Answer 3

Try this reply:

"Wow, really?!?  I'm only 16, and people usually tell me I look old!"

You can both walk away laughing.

(Be proud of yourself & your accomplishments!)

Answer 4

Tell him/her: "Thank you, I do my best to look good".

Answer 5

It's a compliment. They think that to be in that position you would have to work and progress a lot to get to that high position. They probably think that you must be really talented to have that job.

Answer 6

I would ignore the comment or just shrug.   We can be careful to dress well and appropriately but how one looks is not exactly something we can control is it?   Don't let anyone make you apologise for your age or appearance.

Answer 7

It's a compliment if you are a junior manager you would be in charge of overseeing lots of people. I am sure that most people get an idea what the tasks of a junior manager entail if that is your job.. it's a compliment if they say you look very young to be responsible for so many people.. More amazing it would be if you were an RN a registered nurse.. they have also to overlook a lot of people and to assess, evaluate, deal with the patients.. with the families. they run the place.. so a young RN that would be something special.. most of them are in their 40's before they make it to being a Registered Nurse. she is the woman at the top.. above all other nursing staff... x*x

Answer 8

I think it is a compliment, you being young and having alot of responsibility. Some who say "wow you look so young" may be saying it in disbelief, thinking your not telling the truth. Youth and experience go hand and hand with education. I dont know what i would say in response, maybe just an off handed, i love my job or something like that.