How does age influence the way you relate to someone? Your age and theirs?
It doesn't really. Sometimes people think that the experience factor comes in to play, andtherefore people without the same amount of life experience couldn't possibly relate to eachother. I find that this isn't always true. I think that as long as you're willing to understand a person, regardless of their age, you can relate to them. Often I find that I'm able to carry on conversations most easily with people who are in their mid thirties and upwards. I find that most people, when they reach this age, become less focused on experiencing all the world has to offer, and focus more on what things mean and how they observe the world. They tend to be mature, insightful, and willing to have a long and meaningful conversation.
Do you expect to be treated in a particular way because of your age?
Depends. Most of the time, when people meet me, they don't really know what to expect. I don't look like a "normal" 17 year old. Appearance wise, people usually can't pinpoint my age. Recently, I've been thought to be within the range of 21 to 25. If people know that I'm 17, I find that they keep trying to convince themselves I'm their average teenager, even though they know I'm not. It's interesting to see people try to put me under that stereotype. Usually people ask me questions like "You probably would rather be out with your friends, right?" or "You probably don't care much about.... people your age aren't into that, right?" But once they get to know me, they usually just throw the expectations out the window, which is good, because everyone matures at a different pace.
Do you treat people differently based on their age or the age group? Or do you see everyone the same?
I see everyone the same in the way that I don't necessarily judge people's maturity, inerests, or lifestyle on their age. It has more to do with the things they talk about, their personality, their mannerisms, their choice of words, and thier emotional intelligence. When I'm talking to a child, I assess how advanced the child's knowledge is in order to know how to speak to them. I don't like to treat children like they don't know as much as I do. I prefer to let them show me what they know and are capable of. With elderly people, I have a deep respect for them because I realize that they have been through almost an entire lifetime of experiences, and carry with them the wisdom and understanding that came from those years. I usually prepare myself to listen to what they have to say and to share, and likely to be sensitive in expressing disagreement as the opinions they share have likely been in development for several decades.
Do you relate quite a bit with your own age group or do you feel, behave, or think differently than they do? How?
I definitely do not relate to my current age group. My concept of time, the way I communicate, and my attitudes toward life are quite different. But then again, it's always been that way for me. I guess I just accepted the fact that I view life differently than the typical person my age, and just accepted that as who I am.
I don't really had much use for any of the current language trends, and never have. I've always spoken in a more formal way. Not that I'm really a formal person at all, but because I feel that there is a certain unappealing quality to talking like everyone else does. I also look at life more intensely and seriously than most people my age. I don't just take things at face value, or go for any opportunity that comes my way, I prefer to think things through and make wise choices. I also find parties and casual dating unappealing, which is pretty much how my graduating class has spent their first year out of high school.
