Looking Young

I've pretty much accepted the fact that I look like I am 12 years old. Well, wait a minute...I'll give myself some credit. 16. That at least puts me in the teens. At first glance, one would say that I have a long way to go before I am 22 and can walk with pride into a bar or pub, ready to mingle with disgruntled sports fans or some very beautiful women. I cannot deny the fact that I look young for my age. A few years back (even as recent as a few months ago...), I grew frustrated with the fact that I looked about six years younger than I actually was. I would grind my teeth with angst as a fast food worker or even a senile, old person would call me "boy." I HATED that.

I remember when I was on Spring Break last year. I was sitting on a bus to take me back to the Cancun airport, and I was seated behind a couple of assholes. The duo, a man and woman, had their seats cocked back as far as they could. At first, I did not feel like saying anything, because I was the only person on that bus who had two seats to himself and my seating arrangement behind these two people did not bother me that much. That is, until we arrived at the airport. I had taken a nap and, upon waking up to get off the bus, the man in the seats in front of me said, "Someone needs to wake this boy up." I did not think much of his comment then, but about five minutes after I got off the bus, I was royally pissed. That guy was an asshole--he really was! Not only did he feel that he was king of the world by putting his seats as far back as possible so he could situatehimself, he decided to make a comment about me. I wish I would have said something to him! From that moment on, I was on a mission to not be second-guessed because of my youthful visage.

For the most part, I have not been hasseled as much as I thought for looking young, especially when I go into bars down in Lafayette or in Chicago. On occasion I might get a smart-aleck comment or dubious stare from a drunken idiot inside a bar, but I have been pleased with how I have been viewed in the social scene. In fact, some of my friends have a harder time getting into bars and clubs than I do, and they look much older...especially with their beards and expensive cologne. One specific episode I remember was from a Tigers game over the summer. My friend Paul and I went to go grab a few Bud Lights from a nearby kiosk, and, when one of the concession ladies told me she thought I looked like I was 22, that totally made my evening. I even said "God Bless You!" My self-esteem was that much better.

So I guess looking young is not all that bad. I think people are beginning to realize that if I have the intestinal fortitude to go into a bar or club, I sure as hell better be of age. And, on the bright side, I will probably look young for my age when I am 50 or 60, considering my current healthy lifestyle. But, if someone that I don't know tries to call me "boy" or sarcastically ask how old I am, I respond with some expletives or greatly exaggerate how old or young I really think they are!