What’s that supposed to mean?
I had two people say bizarre things to me yesterday.
1. I was getting on an elevator to go hear a talk by Jeffrey Cole, director of the USC Annenberg School Center for the Digital Future. The topic was the way digital access to information is changing our relationship with media, the role of multitasking in our lives, and innovations in portable digital resources. The elevator I stepped into was already occupied by some people, including a guy I very peripherally work with. He looked at me in absolute shock and said, “You’re going to this?!” Um…yep. It’s, you know, kind of related to my career.
2. I was out for a run yesterday, and a kid of maybe 11 years old came up to me on a bike. He said, “Hi, lady!” so I waved at him. Then he said, “I’m younger than you.” I said, “Yes, that’s true.” Then he said, “A LOT!” and biked away. Huh? You must understand that this is a sensitive topic for a 29-year-old, and I don’t think I look all that old. Heck, I still get carded probably 75% of the times I buy alcohol.
I am choosing to assume that he meant it as a compliment, since kids usually think it’s cool to be older. He said it in a very snarky tone, though. Little snot.
He can laugh now, but it’s his generation that’ll get drafted for the occupation of Iran and Syria. Neener!
Thank you, James. You always put things in perspective.
I work in a middle school and face this kind of thing every single day. Anyone over the age of 20 is really old to someone who is 11 years old.
My daily mantra is “They are not my peers!”