Age is just a number?

I'd like to think of myself as "mature", even though, frankly, what the hell does that word even mean? Like, seriously, does it means acting older than you are? Or being more grown up? I've always been called mature and I'd like to think of it as being able to keep up with the adults. I've always been able to do that, because, hey. They're just over grown children with mortgages. So, I don't understand why it's always a revelation to people that I'm this old or that old. I mean, is it that much of a rarity among teens to actually hold your own in a conversation with "an adult", the big scary force of so many years more of experience? Most of my friends act like I do and I don't see it as such a big deal. I thought everyone was like that.

But, then I can turn around and act like the dumbest kid you've ever seen. Or like an 8 year old boy with ADD who just drunk 2 cans of Red Bull. Then I'm told to act my age! To be an adult and why am I acting so stupid and at their level? Well, I am only a kid, right? This should be acceptable! I should be encouraged to laugh more loudly than is acceptable, to run around in a store, to whine about not getting that toy or candy bar in the check out line. People stare and think I'm stupid or spoiled or whatever, when really: it's in the job description. I'm a kid.

People around us have this conflicting notion about age! I think that's what makes being a teenager so bad! You're in the middle and no one ever wants to be in the middle. You feel out of place. So, I can't play in the Play Place at McDonald's but I can't get into the club as well? Awesome. All the places that are deemed "fun" are now off limits to me because of my age. There's only so many times where you can go to the mall and look at clothes you don't have the money to buy!

This applies to dating as well. OK, so I can keep up with a 20-something, but it's illegal and borderline creepy? OK, I can see that. Even though we meet each other perfectly mentally: age. Got it. It's also just as weird when dating someone younger than myself! Well, we're almost perfectly matched in every way, except...you're 15? Yikes, later sucker. The 50 year old woman with the 28 year old guy. The 67 year old man with the 32 year old woman. Ages. Apparently life experiences and everything still doesn't make up for the age difference. At least in someone else's eyes.

I can see someone else's point though, if I were to argue this with said hypothetical person. With age brings different experiences and knowledge. Obviously, what you know or think you know at age 11 will be different than what you know or think you know at age 45. But, in some for m or another, every age group can become the other. The 10 year old can parent their misbehaved parent. The 80 year old patient struggling to go to the bathroom. So on and so forth.

It's really hard not to judge, though! You always assume the worst, the creepiest, the greediest, the whatever. That's why I like to keep my real age to myself. I think it helps eliminate some assumptions if I tell my age. Plus, someone's reaction to my age is probably the most fun part! "What?? I thought you were older!" "What?! I thought you were younger..."

Age, with all things in life, is an enigma of social meaning.