Why do some people feel the need to lie about their age?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I don't get it.

If you ask my mom, she's been 39 for the last seven years. This is somehow convincing at first because she does look younger (35-40) than her actual age (good genes I assume), but I find it ridiculous because of course people know I am 27 and my sister is 31, so the math doesn't add up.

She half-heartedly jokes we should claim we are younger too, but I tell her that honestly she should take it as a compliment when people mistake her as being younger and not lie about her age but be proud of it.

[Anonymous]

It wasn't a big deal until I spent a lot of time with younger friends (late 20's, some early 30's). Then another friend started yapping in front of them at my birthday party. And got a "Wooooooow." (like "That is SO old") (can't wait till they hit 35 - 40 so I can make comments). I've gotten more comments about being old (I have some recent health issues that don't help me look younger).

I have a relative who KEEPS making obnoxious comments my hair (becoming salt and pepper, but more dark than gray). She's one to talk. All the men in her family her generation and older had been (or were at the time) going severely bald (and those who HAD hair, it was thin and gray) by 30. (And SHE was gray by her 30's, but luckily, it worked because it was styled and dyed, or she wore wigs (I've heard wigs were really popular then)). I still have decent hair. I don't bring up her being morbidly obese, or old and frumpy.

I'm at the point where I may just start to lie and say I'm 60; so I get people going "Wow! He looks GREAT for 60!"

[MittensWiggum]

I've always looked approx 10 years younger - people assume still im 25... i only stopped getting id'd for being over 18 at 37 which was quite entertaining for me - good genes, baby face etc - my mum used to say the same 'im only 35' and i pointed out at 25 she needs to up the age bracket when there's only a 10 year difference cos its just plain creepy!

i don't care about my age, people can assume all they want, i don't lie about it as its too much effort! i think its more re internal confidence. i used to be so mad at 18 when i was getting id'd but now looking back o my photos i look SOOOO young! so i get it, i completely applaud everyone who id'd me as i looked under 18.

And its added to the extra creepiness of when i had a weirdo old bloke on train saying dodgy things to me when i looked like i was under 18 but 26 - i reported him to the police as i started loudly mouthing off on train as i was on the phone saying about the creepy perv on the train making everyone look at him... to highlight it as i know how vulnerable young people can be in those situations.

but i digress - I've always been underestimated because people assume im young and inexperienced - so when i quick fire facts in my job they suddenly realise i do know my stuff - and having to fight like this all my life has made me more confident in doing so.

if you're not confident, your age might be a factor that gives you a boost. if its not harming anyone, i don't see the problem with it if it makes someone feel better.

[Apple1996]

Some people especially women might be insecure about their age because society judges so harshly about it. I remember at 23 people started calling me old I was like wtf 😂 but still I wouldn't lie about it because I don't care enough if someone thinks I'm old or not

[itsannalee]

A 20 yo guy called me old but that’s not insult for me. That’s a compliment, because i’m 12 years older than him and still look younger than him.

[Purpleronnie]

I think if a person openly lies about age , it’s a personal thing and perhaps even complex Additionally I think that women generally lie about it more often that not because of the value our world places upon them being younger. Furthermore I also believe that some people may feel a bit less “visible” after a certain age.


It’s all relative though , when I was a boy I thought 20 was old and not that I’m older and don’t “feel” “OLD” or my years then where is the harm in knocking a year or two off. We all know there Is a stigma attached to it so we all understand. One person believing that it’s such a small or silly thing to be less than honest about it is the reasoning or justification around doing exactly that for another person.

[HawkPerception]

Never understood it either. I find it more endearing when a girl is able to confidently share her age.

I feel like lying about your age is as attractive as wearing makeup. It's not.

[just_a_potato]

I actually lie about my age sometimes in medical field spaces. The second someone finds out how old I am, be it a patient, fellow nurse, doctor, etc. I'm no longer a good worker or a motivated student, I'm a gen z idiot who's just another stain on their precious American ground. I'm being so serious. The way healthcare workers change the way they'll treat me by me just bumping my age up by 6 years, is insane.

[GlowUpGirly5]

Exactly or they will complain about you being young getting raises or try to pair you up with their broke nephews lol 😆

[ItsJill]

Because they are insecure and society dictates that women over 30 are 'less'.

I think your mother should be happy people think she's younger and not actually lie about her age.

[Nikki1989]

Yeah, I don't get it. People do it on here all the time. They are either still immature teens or the dumbest over 30s I have ever come across in my life.

[Account]

Because society values youth. I tell my age sometimes I even add a whole year in order to get used to it.

[smashleyy]

my guess is insecurity about aging. It’s drilled into women’s brains that they have less value the older they get so it’s understandable

[Potteplante]

Lol, I'm forever 20 - not because I fear aging but because I don't feel like a 34 year old adult. Celebrated my first grey hair last week. 👏

[molonski2]

Because in various search engines you will automatically be ruled out. and assumptions are made about you , the world in still extremely agest , thats why.

[exitseven]

nobody wants to get old. Old people are weak and confused and they are irrelevant.

[MisfitsLover92]

I don't know i think being older and looking a lot younger is something to be proud of.

[itsannalee]

Why would they lie? Lol i never met any woman who lie about their age.


Or maybe just like some men who lie about their height?

[beefcakebradybatson]

In sports, so teams will sign them if the clubs think they're younger. In arelationships, to get younger partner. In workplce situations, to perhaps get mentoring to get a position, raise or promotion.

[Anonymous]

probably because men have told us all our lives that when we get older, we are useless and no one wants us when we get older?

[Kelly6]

@Sun_Kim-Ai some are afraid of getting old or recognized by others as older.

i always tell true age

[GlowUpGirly5]

Because someone else's age is none of your business. It's a very rude and intrusive question to ask. Especially to someone you don't know.

[Staximus]

My landlord lies about his age to women all the time, like he's a woman that still thinks it's 1955

[Eleni0199]

Cause we want to stay young. Plus they could feel younger.

[Anonymous]

Females like about their age because it's their desire/nature to ruin others lives.

[Sabrina_Caleri]

isn't It and obvious question?

[CallmeTheKnight]

Lack of confidence

[David5668]

Insecurity