> Here is the thing: I find that more and more, I do not fit in with people my own age. I tend to have two moods (perhaps a bit bi-polar): one which fits in well with people much younger than myself, and one which fits in better with people much older. I'm not sure exactly why this bothers me, but I'm sure it comes back to my quest for a girlfriend in some way (*grin*). My guess would be that I don't really WANT to date anyone much younger or much older than me-- laws prevent the former and personal tastes prevent both-- and I can't see how I will manage to date someone in between if I can't relate to her (or if she can't relate to me).
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> Getting back to the original subject, though, I am curious: Does anyone else here have the regular experience of having their age grossly mistaken? If so, does it bother you, and if so, how do you deal with it?

Well, physically, I look about my age (18 now, though I was an early bloomer - among the first to wear bras and shave, and I hit my height of 5'8" at 13). Most people who are around me usually think I'm older, though, for various reasons.

Not always pleasant. There was a group of people in high school whose company I enjoyed, could have decent conversations with individually. But I was never invited to parties with them, and conversations were... different... when I was part of them. Eventually I figured out that they didn't think of me as one of them... it was like having a chaperone around. I was great to talk to about serious things, but I wasn't the sort of person to go have fun with. Which for the most part is true, but not all the time.

Other people, especially people I've played in bands or taken classes with, think I'm older because I'm very reserved, show up on time, and tend to know what I'm doing.

Strangely, I get along well with younger people as well... there's a group I met online (former spelling bee geeks) almost all of whom are a year or two younger than I am, and I really enjoy their company.

I think it's just people my own age I don't relate to as well - they expect me to be "one of them". People younger and older than I am don't have those same expectations. ::shrug:: But I could be wrong.

> Don "Uses many words to say things which could be said in a few" Monkey

-Fob"also guilty of verbosity"ulis