What to say when someone asks how old I am?

I like not telling people. I did that for several years, and it’s interesting to watch their reactions. Also, I noticed how much people want to pigeon-hole people by thinking of them as an age. Given how much is controlled by what people expect based on age, I think it’s a fairly big mistake to go around acting like age causes someone to be a certain way, or not another, or have certain health problems, or whatever.

“How old do you think I am?”

Make faces.

Oh, dating. Well I’ve not said there, too. Also interesting.

Just say “I’m in my forties” or “I’m in my seventies”. Or you could tell them your age. We’re all going to be old one day. Wear it with pride.

Hahaha, one member here would give you great advice :D

I don’t see how you can be kind of old and ask that question. Old compared to who? Are you around people much younger than you all the time?

And what’s so tough about telling your age anyway?

I’ll answer it and then I’ll ask them how old they are. If they don’t answer that, I’m done answering their questions forever.

Make an evasive joke about it. They’ll get the hint that you don’t want to tell them, but they won’t feel bad for asking. Maybe quote Baby Animals, and say “Too young to know, too old to listen”.

I work with someone who is from an African country, and he said where he is from, it’s not a bad thing to ask someone how old they are. In the United States, it’s considered rude, generally. When we’re friends with people, we are usually more open and sharing of information like that. If it’s a stranger and they ask a question like “how old are you” then an option is to say something like “Older than you.”

Tell them whatever you please.

If it’s a total stranger being inappropriately nosy just use Dear Abby“s all purpose comment for nosy people in general: “Why would you think to ask me such a personal question like that ?”. Guarenteed to prevent further intrusive questioning on any topic.

If it’s someone you like and you don’t want to offend them or make them feel awful just for asking you can give a sly smile or a wink and just pass it off with “Old enough to know better, young enough to learn.”

They’ll usually get the hint and be unliiely to persist in this line of questioning (unless they’re dumb as a rock, in which case I wouldn’t be quite as worried about offending them :)

Since I look younger than I am, I like telling people my age. Then I get the “oh no you aren’t”.
Also, I am curious how old you are. You sound kinda young actually.

Just say that is sensitive info and tell them to move onto the next question.

I’d screw with them. Add or subtract 20 years and watch their reaction.

My son told everyone I was 29 until he was about 25. Give a ridiculously low number and they will realize how rude the question is.
My husband is a big kid and was playing Destiny with another older guy (I think he’s 65 like my husband) and his wife online. A younger kid joined them and asked how old the woman was. My husband reminded him that it’s not polite to ask a lady how old she is.

Why wouldn’t you just answer the question? The question “How old are you?” is very direct and factual. It is about how much time has passed since you were born. It has only one answer.

There is no reason for you to have a negative reaction to such a question. Have you lived your life well? Are you doing things you want to be doing? These are things that matter. What difference does it make how long you’ve been on the planet?

Why is it a tough thing to answer? Are you so old that you forget? In that case I would agree that it could be a tough thing, especially if you’re shy about admitting to your failing memory or you have to refer to an index card that you carry around with your name, address, telephone number – and birthdate – printed in large letters (because of your also failing eyesight).

However, the best response is the classic deadpan – nothing. If the question is repeated, then a wide-eyed, “Why, whatever in the world has possessed you to ask THAT?” and if the question is repeated AGAIN, by someone particularly dense, rude or uncaring, then “It’s none of your goddamn business how old I am. How rude are YOU?”

@dappled_leaves @CWOTUS Most people tend to have a lot of assumptions and prejudices and expectations and judgements and ways of behaving towards people based on their age, which they often have little control or awareness of, and/or believe to be fact-based. So it’s similar to the reason why one might not want to answer what your ethnicity or religion are when speaking to people from a community that is highly prejudiced. I.e. to avoid having to deal with other people’s biases, prejudices, and pre-conceived ideas.