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Sultana · 12-13-2005, 07:45 AM

I don't like to give my age because I really feel that people have preconceived notions of certain ages/numbers...ideas they wouldn't have if they didn't have a number to assign to me.

I can't tell you how many times I've gotten a really surprised, then knowing look and an, "Ahhh, ok" once I've shared my age. I know I look younger, and that's all well and good (didn't much appreciate it in my 20's, lol, looking like a teen). But I'd much rather folks base their perception of me on how I *am*, rather than on a collection of preconceived notions based on a generalization of statistics. It seems that women have this applied much more strongly to them than men. I think it goes to the percieved attractiveness thing. Similar to asking questions about weight and natural hair color, lol (I can't believe how many men at work have asked me if I color my hair!?! WTF happened to manners?).

Another part of this is that as a performer, I get jobs based on my appearance. That's just how it is. Sadly, most prospective employers are way more influenced by how I may look in costume than the 12+ years I've spent studying dance and everything that goes with it. If in their mind a woman being over 30 is a negative, I may not get that job, even if to them and to the general public I don't "look" like that.

However, I'm not ashamed of my age, and I have been more likely to tell my age specifically, because I know I appreciate it when I see a lovely woman and know that attractiveness does not end at 29, 39, or 49. I like to imagine that it could go a little tiny way in ending the idea that as a woman you have to be in your very early 20s to be at the peak of your game, whatever your game may be.

12-13-2005, 07:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	I don't like to give my age because I really feel that people have preconceived notions of certain ages/numbers...ideas they wouldn't have if they didn't have a number to assign to me. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten a really surprised, then knowing look and an, "Ahhh, ok" once I've shared my age. I know I look younger, and that's all well and good (didn't much appreciate it in my 20's, lol, looking like a teen). But I'd much rather folks base their perception of me on how I am, rather than on a collection of preconceived notions based on a generalization of statistics. It seems that women have this applied much more strongly to them than men. I think it goes to the percieved attractiveness thing. Similar to asking questions about weight and natural hair color, lol (I can't believe how many men at work have asked me if I color my hair!?! WTF happened to manners?). Another part of this is that as a performer, I get jobs based on my appearance. That's just how it is. Sadly, most prospective employers are way more influenced by how I may look in costume than the 12+ years I've spent studying dance and everything that goes with it. If in their mind a woman being over 30 is a negative, I may not get that job, even if to them and to the general public I don't "look" like that. However, I'm not ashamed of my age, and I have been more likely to tell my age specifically, because I know I appreciate it when I see a lovely woman and know that attractiveness does not end at 29, 39, or 49. I like to imagine that it could go a little tiny way in ending the idea that as a woman you have to be in your very early 20s to be at the peak of your game, whatever your game may be. __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.