So escapists, what age exactly do you have to be for people to stop patronizing you on it

[Dogstile]

I normally put it aside, but its actually really starting to annoy me lately. It seems that every other day (not just on these forums) people will actively say that I don't know what i'm talking about based on my age.

Now yeah, sure, i'm rather honest about being 17. My experience isn't as much as you guys and whatever. I'm also fully aware of how angst filled this thread sounds (because, even looking at it, I can see it).

But surely there is some cutoff in my near future where I can go "Hey guys! I'm __ and I think that ______ is _____!" without someone patronizing you for it.

So, pretty much, my question is:

Escapists! What do you think is the age people will stop telling you to stop arguing because you're too young to understand?

I personally think around the 18 zone, because you can vote then, which means the government thinks you're fit to have a say in who actually runs the place. Can't get much more responsible than that.

 

[Astoria]

It doesn't matter how old you are, there are always going to be people older than you saying 'you don't know what you're talking about but I do'. It's just how people are, even I'm like that with my younger siblings.

 

[Thaluikhain]

That would depend on the topic. Age is much more relevant to some things than others, assuming it is relevant at all. And when you get older, people that disagree with you will find new ways of being condescending anyway.

 

[Chamale]

Oh, never. When you're 75, the 90-year-olds at the home will be talking down to you.

Around 17 or 18, you reach the age when a somewhat higher percentage of the population will start listening to your views if you explain them well. The rest are fuckheads who won't listen to anyone else's opinion anyway. Don't even bother with that latter group.

 

[DefunctTheory]

It depends on experience.

Typically, by the time your 30 it should stop, regardless (Unless your truly sheltered/stupid). For it to stop earlier, you have to 'live life,' do stuff, and suffer.

In addition, certain jobs can earn you points. Being in the military will get you respect. Hard to patronize someone who's been in deeper shit then you'll ever even dream about.

 

[ajemas]

It is definitely situational. If someone is discussing something like trying to support their wife and kids, a 14 year old will have as much authority as a slightly perturbed earthworm. For other things, like ethical questions or conversations about different works of media, input from all ages is more than welcome. (As long as you're old enough to legally view the material, of course.)
In general, however, once you get about 20 years old people will start to recognize your authority and experience in most situations. And again, it is all about having the proper mindset. A 12 year old that uses proper spelling and punctuation is going to have a lot more say in a conversation than a 14 year old that can't tell an apostrophe from a comma.

 

[Drakmeire]

I suppose around 25. that seems like the age where people start respecting you more.
if your under 18: oh they're just a kid.
18-21:they think their soooo grown up but they are still a kid.
21-24: they're just an overgrown drunk teenager.
25+: well I guess I can respect you now.

 

[WolfEdge]

Sorry to break it to you, but there isn't a cut-off date where you're suddenly just taken seriously by the general population. Don't think people won't use anything they can against you when attempting to argue (especially on the internet). Your age just happens to be an easy go-to point for the moment. I know it's not always just. It may not be fair. But if you want to be taken seriously, the best advice I can give you is to know what you're talking about, and behave in a manner befitting that knowledge.

EDIT: Note that KNOWING what you're talking about and THINKING you know are two separate things, and that this is the most common affliction of the mind of a young man. If you want to be taken seriously, then never take any knowledge you THINK you know and understand for granted as knowledge that you ACTUALLY know.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

I don't know. I'm 19 and a freshman in college, but my extended family still insists on patronizing the crap out of me when those family reunions come around.

 

[Bassman_2]

It depends on other people's views on you, not age.
It's just a number, and this year is just about the same as last for most.

 

[loc978]

There will always be people who will patronize you for being either "too young to know any better" or "too old to get it". It's human nature to think the group you identify with is "right".

 

[AWDMANOUT]

That's what's great about the internet. The anonymity makes it so that you aren't judged for your age, so the factor is removed.

Unless of course, you type like an ignorant prepubescent.

 

[walkingdead127]

Never, people will either not take you seriously because you are too young or once you hit a certain age you will be too old.

 

[Paksenarrion]

Step 1: Achieve Immortality
Step 2: Age millions of years
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Ancient Alien Civilization visits Earth just to patronize you specifically.

 

[flagship]

It doesn't matter how old you are, there are always going to be people older than you saying 'you don't know what you're talking about but I do'. It's just how people are, even I'm like that with my younger siblings.

Until of course you get really old then everyone figures you've got alzheimer's and your opinion is no longer valid.

People are always going to dismiss your opinion, just be thankful its for your age and not your skin color, gender, job, degree, wealth etc.

 

[Samurai Goomba]

It doesn't matter what age you are. You're too young to know anything until you are too old to know anything.

Get freaking used to it. I thought people would stop talking down to me when I got out of my teens... Yeah, that certainly hasn't happened yet.