Age is Only a Number

I've always been one who gets along with older people rather than people my own age or even younger. Never have I pre-judged anyone for their age. I give them the benefit of the doubt and see if they're mature (or immature) for their age and thus we become fast friends. Though I have discovered lately that some people match their ages perfectly despite them attesting to this notion. I learned the hard way recently that those who are a little immature (or at least this specific person) tend to think that their problems and concerns are the only ones that matter in the world.

I on the other hand have always acted much older than I am (or so I've been told) no matter how hard I try to fight it. In my group of friends I am referred to as the "mom" of the group. Though I've tried to shake this title I take it with a grain of salt as I will never stop being concerned and looking out for my friends or other people for that matter. It's just who I am.

As I consider myself beyond my age bracket maturity wise I assumed everyone felt the same. Apparently to some that is not the case. A co-worker of mine told me yesterday that she doesn't think of me as a co-worker but just as someone who is younger than her. I took this as an insult. She always starts off by saying, "you know you young people." I get there are generational gaps and things have changed and we have a different way of thinking. But don't loop me into a category of people that you have created wherein you think young people are all immature and inexperienced and don't know nearly as much as you nor have they experienced anything in their lives. Granted there are younger people in this category...but not every young person deserves to be in this category.

I suppose I felt insulted because I've been working in my field of work for close to 7 years and I think myself to be knowledgeable enough to be thought of as an equal no matter how much of an age difference there is. And not to sound my age or anything but this co-worker is 20 years my senior and I'm above her in the hierarchy of our profession...just sayin'.