ADN

I'm 26 and not young anymore. However, when it comes to the professional side of my life, lots of people don't take me seriously. I get to deal with people's finances and get to know every little detail about them and while I'm 26 and not a kid, they still sometimes get uncomfortable. When it comes to dealing with attorneys and other paralegals, they think I don't know what I'm talking about.

On one of my cases I have been dealing with this attorney for a couple of months now. She's really nice and really works with me which is great. I finally got to meet her at a deposition in our office on Friday. She was trying to figure out our coffee machine in the kitchen and I walked in while she was there. She introduced herself and then asked who I was and when I told her my name, she just stared. The first thing she said was, "How old are you?" I told her, "Old enough." She then proceeded to say that I looked like I just got out of high school and then was not friendly at all. She asked how long I'd been doing this and I told her 5 1/2 years. She made this "hmph" noise and walked away.

I worry that now she won't be as friendly. I haven't had to deal with her since Friday, but I'm not looking forward to it. Do you ever run into reverse age discrimination? I feel like I'm constantly trying to prove myself. I know more than most of the idiots I deal with, but that doesn't matter. People give me flack for my age and in turn, make things harder for me (they make me call the court's like a junior secretary when it's their request being made, they give my attitude, they don't work with me on calendaring issues).

I wanna hear the crap you guys have had to deal with. Your misery will help me feel better ;)

I don't want to give you a pep talk here, but you know I always look at things differently...

First off, you're young...Beautiful...Your boobs are still perky and not sparking small fires in front of your feet when you walk...Perhaps there's a little more to this thing than you think, especially about your age...Chicks have issues, they're probably thinking you're a threat in every way possible except your professional competence...I bet ugly chicks wouldn't have a clue about what you're talking about, lol...And unless you're completely different at work, you're sweet natured, nice, and generally 'too good to be true,' and when you're like that, a seething old heifer will react that way 9 out of 10 times anyway...

With the increased amount of melanin in my skin, I would be hard pressed to get discriminated against in a professional environment and be able to pin it down on my age...The age thing for me usually comes up in the club...But in my line of work, I'm expected to know more than the person I'm working with, so they generally don't care if you're young, old, or whatever...They just want their issue resolved...

I know one thing is for sure, if you start going out of your way to make these people think differently, I will put you in a headlock instead of hug when I get to S.D...Screw other people and their limited perceptions, kick ass with your job and the rest will take care of itself...

And the next time somebody asks you how old you are, tell them, "Old enough to party, chica chica yeah...Woo Hoo...!" Do a little dance and then walk out of the room, lol...Dont' give 'em time to let them see you after they give you attitude...Yup...You'll win out, trust me..!

:D

I get this kind of thing all the time at work! I dont worry about it too much. Most people's perceptions are older=more experience=better. I dont think you can do a great deal to change that in people, I do it myself sometimes. Just have keep proving yourself to every client.
Of course there are some professions where the converse is true.

luvbugin wrote:I'm 26 and not young anymore.

I hate to tell you this, Luv, but yes you are. You don't become "not young" until you reach your 40s.

luvbugin wrote:However, when it comes to the professional side of my life, lots of people don't take me seriously. I get to deal with people's finances and get to know every little detail about them and while I'm 26 and not a kid, they still sometimes get uncomfortable. When it comes to dealing with attorneys and other paralegals, they think I don't know what I'm talking about.

On one of my cases I have been dealing with this attorney for a couple of months now. She's really nice and really works with me which is great. I finally got to meet her at a deposition in our office on Friday. She was trying to figure out our coffee machine in the kitchen and I walked in while she was there. She introduced herself and then asked who I was and when I told her my name, she just stared. The first thing she said was, "How old are you?" I told her, "Old enough." She then proceeded to say that I looked like I just got out of high school and then was not friendly at all. She asked how long I'd been doing this and I told her 5 1/2 years. She made this "hmph" noise and walked away.

I worry that now she won't be as friendly. I haven't had to deal with her since Friday, but I'm not looking forward to it. Do you ever run into reverse age discrimination? I feel like I'm constantly trying to prove myself. I know more than most of the idiots I deal with, but that doesn't matter. People give me flack for my age and in turn, make things harder for me (they make me call the court's like a junior secretary when it's their request being made, they give my attitude, they don't work with me on calendaring issues).

I wanna hear the crap you guys have had to deal with. Your misery will help me feel better ;)

How much older is this woman? IMO a lot of older women have contempt for younger women.

I guess the idea of "old" and "young" vary person to person. It's just stupid that people are judgmental. I understand though its hard to not judge. I think we all fight it everyday. I guess its just odd. We are constantly fighting each other and why? I'll just take pride in that spite :-)

luvbugin wrote:I guess the idea of "old" and "young" vary person to person. It's just stupid that people are judgmental. I understand though its hard to not judge. I think we all fight it everyday. I guess its just odd. We are constantly fighting each other and why? I'll just take pride in that spite :-)

I would hate to see your perception of someone in their 40s. They must be decrepit if 26 is considered "old" to you. :p

They tease me at the office because when I say someone is "older", the say that means they must be in their 30's. The other paralegal in our office turns 50 next month and I love giving her a hard time. Heck, my grandma is only 66, but you'd swear she's 50. My grandma in law is 84 and seems only 60. I think age is okay to joke about, but it shouldn't be used against someone.

I think the proper term for 30s and 40s is "mature" and not "old". :dance: