March 2024
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Ask If I’m a Student, I Dare You

I swear to God, the next person who asks me if I’m a student is going to get a stern talking to. (In this economic climate, probably best not to dole out beat-downs. Paychecks, I’m a big fan of them.)

I know that I should take it as a compliment. Really. I know I should. I know that thirty years from now, when I’m staring into the mirror and asking where the old lady with the crow’s feet came from, I’m going to look back at my ire at being mistaken for a student and I am going to laugh. Or possibly cry. Who knows, it’ll depend on how faithfully I use sun-block in the intervening years. 

My point is, there are far worst things to whine about than “oh woe is me, I look so young.” 

And yet…

There is something so dismissive about being asked if you are a student. It’s like they don’t think that you’re capable of doing a good job. Not that students are inherently bad workers, but the tone of disdain is there when people ask you if you are a student worker. “What, your department couldn’t do any better, so they sent a student to help me?” And they definitely don’t take you seriously until you tell them, “actually, I’m full-time staff.”

So, yeah, I usually just smile and say, “No, I’m just well moisturized.” And then we both have a little chuckle. And maybe they actually pay a little bit of attention to me. Maybe. 

And really, why in the hell are they asking in the first place?

Sometimes, the mind, it boggles.

1 comment to Ask If I’m a Student, I Dare You

  • Looking young is great when the young hottie that’s taking my drink order asks for my ID. Nothing like the ego boost of someone 10 years younger thinking I barely look 21. It’s not so great at work, when it doesn’t matter that I’m looking right down the tunnel at 30, I obviously don’t know anything about any subject ever. I’m so tired of being dismissed because of my age.

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