#(yes I’d rather be harassed than an actual teenager or ethnic/racial minority. but it’s still deeply uncomfortable)

[void-tiger]

Sometimes I feel like I keep having to prove my age. “No really, I really am 29. I really did start college 10 years ago (just…couldn’t finish). No I’m Not actually 15-21. YES really. It’s okay to talk to me. (But please don’t ask me what I’m doing instead of what I like to do…it’s a sore subject I can’t find a Small Talk TM response to. Especially with my age. Legit health shit has taken SOME of the embarrassment out of this…but that’s it’s own set of landmines. Can we please talk about you instead??)”

#tiger’s musings #socializing crap #baby face #aaaaand then prolly ‘cause of the connective tissue disorder…I have MASSIVE dimples that make me feel like a gargoyle #not age wrinkles forming. but huuuuge folds of skin on a thin face making ridges #because…stretchy skin. yeah. I feel like that snake in that one webcomic trying to Yawn Cute #and…it’s most obvious if I’m delighted or teasing. #…why can’t I just have smile lines. #but…yeah. I almost can’t complain I never have any decent adults act friendly or flirt in a way that’s Not Creepy #when even YOUNG children forget that I’m ‘not a kid’ #(ooooor it’s some fertility culture or ‘wants an Exotic TM girlfriend’ asshole. for fuck’s sake… #(yes I’d rather be harassed than an actual teenager or ethnic/racial minority. but it’s still deeply uncomfortable) #…there may be SOME progress with ‘YES I’m a late 20s ADULT prioritizing FRIENDSHIP I am SAFE’ #but also…it is irritating to have questions about something 10 yrs ago instead of what I like to do NOW #or that it took a year to be spoken to. and going pspspspsps! for a quarter of that because Enough. #…the ONLY time I /almost/ don’t mind someone assuming I’m nearly half my actual age #is when I’m out in public with my parents around strangers #despite it’s becoming more common for MY gen to still live with fam because late capitalism vs merican social values #buuuuuuuuut yeahhhhh… still living with family past 25 is still treated as Shameful as a cultural norm