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In the US you're supposed to graduate college at 22. Vivien Send a noteboard - 10/08/2010 06:19:43 AM
And that's not counting people who started college at younger than 18 and/or graduated in 3 years. At 24, you've already had 2 years of full time work experience assuming you started working straight out of a 4 year college.

So, the other day, at a semi-formal event representing my boss, an older gentleman approached me and started making small talk. After a bit, he commented on how young I seemed, I couldn't be older than 31. I chuckled and told him that my 24th Birthday is next week, and that killed the conversation. He was embarrassed that his guess was 7 years off, and I was a bit offended that anyone would think I'm in my thirties just yet.

1. Would you be offended if someone guessed you were 7 years older than you are?

Not really, though I guess it would depend on the situation. I would, howeer, be offended if they thought I was seven years younger than I am, but that is rather unlikely to happen.
2. Do you think people assume "professionals" have to be older than 24?

Well, you'd expect them to have gone through college or university, so 24 would be around the younger limit for a professional.
3. What would you do if someone guessed that far off on your age?

Politely correct them.
4. Is it better to be perceived as your actual age, or to be perceived as older/more mature? Is it better to be perceived as younger?

I'd say it's overall best to be perceived at your actual age. Being young I perhaps wouldn't mind appearing a few years olde, but when I am old I guess I'd prefer to appear a bit younger.
5. I should just get over it, and realize that one guy is bad at guessing ages... right?

Right, don't let it worry you at all. Maybe take it in your stride, some might respect you more if you appear maturer.
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Age - 09/08/2010 09:18:48 PM 896 Views
Re: Age - 09/08/2010 09:32:21 PM 861 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 12:01:07 AM 767 Views
In the US you're supposed to graduate college at 22. - 10/08/2010 06:19:43 AM 731 Views
I've always claimed every year I could when teaching - 09/08/2010 09:51:45 PM 786 Views
I try to hold off on aging... it's odd to be still in my BA while 24 years old. - 10/08/2010 12:05:32 AM 819 Views
Especially since I had already earned my MA by 23 - 10/08/2010 01:29:06 AM 751 Views
Pretty sure that's the norm. *NM* - 10/08/2010 03:21:34 AM 310 Views
Not really, not in my field anyways - 10/08/2010 04:06:22 AM 686 Views
That hasn't been my experience. There are many 1 year MA programs now. - 10/08/2010 08:09:13 AM 621 Views
May be - 10/08/2010 06:58:46 PM 756 Views
Re: Age - 09/08/2010 09:55:19 PM 622 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 12:09:53 AM 738 Views
Judging by your profile pic, 31 is very generous. - 09/08/2010 10:18:50 PM 721 Views
I thought I was leaving it mysterious... - 10/08/2010 12:10:39 AM 727 Views
Re: Age *NM* - 09/08/2010 11:02:59 PM 358 Views
Enlightening. *NM* - 10/08/2010 12:10:55 AM 258 Views
Re: Age - 09/08/2010 11:58:18 PM 834 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 12:14:24 AM 631 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 04:29:40 AM 734 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 06:32:53 AM 604 Views
- 11/08/2010 12:21:31 AM 693 Views
Surely, I would. *NM* - 11/08/2010 12:47:21 AM 343 Views
I was only telling the truth! *NM* - 11/08/2010 11:48:47 PM 329 Views
The truth shall set you free... into the cold arms of death. *NM* - 12/08/2010 12:00:58 AM 315 Views
Tigers are whimsical - 11/08/2010 12:28:51 PM 712 Views
Phelix is a tiger? - 11/08/2010 11:48:17 PM 718 Views
What do you want for your birthday? - 10/08/2010 04:35:47 AM 656 Views
Any one or combination of these things: - 10/08/2010 06:26:20 AM 706 Views
I just need sizes now, email me them - 10/08/2010 06:17:23 PM 990 Views
I would assume he's joking. - 10/08/2010 06:16:13 AM 727 Views
He seemed sincere... but maybe his jokes were that bad. - 10/08/2010 06:36:16 AM 765 Views
The weight thing goes both ways. - 11/08/2010 01:22:30 AM 723 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 10:02:02 AM 709 Views
that is nothing to get offended about - 10/08/2010 12:21:36 PM 809 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 01:53:04 PM 739 Views
Re: Age - 10/08/2010 05:15:32 PM 708 Views
Age-ists! - 11/08/2010 03:12:17 AM 697 Views
Profile pics - 11/08/2010 08:38:15 AM 695 Views

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