Why are older people more open and receptive to me than my own peers?

Question

Its been like that my whole life, even since i was a kid, where adults much older than me were always inclined to talk to me (and get something out of a conversation with me). I've always been the "well behaved, mature, well-mannered" kid, and always have been complimented by people much older than me (who sometimes stop me in the street to talk to me). I'm 21 years old now, and even at work its always the married, older, father/mother/grandparent types that will say hello to me, talk with me, and generally like and appreciate my presence. They tend to like my manner of dress (which is no different than any other person my age, I'm very punkish/somewhat goth).

This also ties into people who are attracted to me, as its always been middle aged types rather than college-age people. I welcome the company, admiration, and appreciation of older people as I learn something from them, but yet its frustrating not being able to relate to my own peers or even finding someone to date because I'm generally percieved as "boring", "weird", as if my calmness and introversion is a complete turnoff.

I don't believe in being a fake person, but how can I get people my own age to understand just because I'm mature and calm doesn't mean I'm boring nor does it mean I'm not young?

Answer 1

I'm exactly like you! Ever since I was a kid, I've never really gotten along with people my age. I'm 24 now and it doesn't bother me.  

Answer 2

usually older people love to help others out.

They think that becaues they are older

they have more experiences in life than us younger people do.

They want to sit there and talk about things

so they can give us tips and make sure

that they know they are helping in some way..

Im a goth, and i act more matour than a lot of other

Kids or Young adults my age.

i attract conversations because i am very open.

Usually open matour people lead to open matour conversations

and of course it would be with an older matour person lol

if that doesnt confuse you.

I have piercings everywhere but i tell people straight out

Im a good person i listen, im not scary like some kids think

and im very open... and since ive lived out experiences

i accept the fact that im always hanging out with older people.

well im about 17 years of age

and i grew up in Germany so when i was younger

i went clubbing with older friends...

i act more matour than my peers in my local Georgia public school

because they didnt get life chances like me :P

i guess it depends on how you grew up and how you act

towards others...

Answer 3

Maybe you should just be you. I'm sorry if that sounded mean but you seem like you just need to meet more people your age. There will be people out there you can relate to. you just need to find them.

Answer 4

I guess to answer your question I'd want to know your place in your family birth order. Are you first-born, second- or middle-born, last-born, or only born?

I suspect only-born. Such kids grow up with their parents being their main examples of human beings, and such kids grow up early interacting with adults on a kind of adult level. So the only child learns to converse with adults in adult ways.

Such a child also has no older or younger siblings and so learns about leadership as well as follower-ship from adults rather than from the "rough and tumble" of siblings. That remains as the child grows older, and the "only child" grows up to know how to gain the respect and cooperation of people older than he is, and with an aura of leadership that others find appealing and have confidence in.

(The "only child" may have siblings, to be sure...however, when there are for to six years difference between siblings, that's enough time to set a child apart as "only.")

--  Dr. Bob, Adlerian Psychologist

Answer 5

The same thing happens to me. Usually there is nothing I can do to avoid it. Try to be more ruder, unpoliter, non well dressed, change your hair, but here's my question: Why would you CHANGE for the people who like you for your outer appearance, when you have people who are comppelled to talk to you because of your inner presense?