Should I start getting offended?

On the weekend whilst grabbing a cab home from an engagement party my partner found a wallet on the ground.  We grabbed it and took it home intending to return it.  There was no phone numbers in the wallet so I ended up taking it to the police station so they could track down the owner and give it back.

Whilst I was there handing it in the lady-behind-the-desk asked if there was any money in the wallet to which I replied “Yeah, about $5.”  This was the truth.  Her response confused me though.  She said “Well aren’t you a nice young man.” in a fairly patronising tone.

The cynical side of me thought that perhaps people who find wallets may often take the cash from them before turning them in.  Leaving a bit of money in there however would make it appear that you hadn’t stolen any.  The lady-behind-the-desk may be aware of this and was potentially trying to make me feel guilty about it.

Anyhow – the thing that got to me more was that she called me a “young-man” implying that I was some teenager who was doing a good act.  To be honest, I reckon I was probably fairly close to her age (I turn 28 in a couple of weeks).

Now, I know I look young and I certainly don’t make any effort to make myself look older.  I dress in what I consider to be fashionable clothes and also have my hair cut in a fairly popular style right now. All that said, I’m starting to feel like I might be missing out on a bit of respect that other people my age may receive.

The fact that I look young normally only becomes apparent when I go out.  The same night we found the wallet I was asked for ID when I entered the engagement party (it was at a pub).  I walked in with 3 other people, all of whom are younger than me (some 3 years younger!) however I was the only one that was carded.  I typically get asked whenever I buy alcohol (pubs, clubs, bottle-shops).

It does seem a bit weird to be complaining about looking young and thinking back its funny to identify situations where my looks have deceived people.  When I was on tour in New Zealand the people I’d spent 10 days with on a bus were incredulous on the last day when our conversation turned to people’s age.   Similarly at any professional development courses I have done people have commented on my maturity or insights, not actually realising that I am probably the age they believe I am acting.

Overall I don’t really mind and find it quite amusing – I’m nearly 10 years over the legal drinking limit and yet I still get asked for ID.  I’m certainly happy to look younger than I am, and feel I will appreciate this more and more as I grow older.  However, like today at the police station, there is the odd occasion where I feel I am being misjudged based on my looks.

I guess being misjudged based on your looks is far from uncommon now that I think about it in that light.  I suppose if I wanted people to think of me differently I could do something about it but generally speaking I’d rather people be surprised by my age and underestimate me!  I’m certainly not about to start wearing  a suit to work, or the police station.

Anyhow – enough blabber as I need my youthful sleep.