When age comes up in conversation: And what I want to say to the women speaking

Originally published on Medium

There’s something that happens when I speak with another woman over the age of 30. Almost every time, there’s a reference to age.

And it’s a subtle — and sometimes not-so-subtle — somewhat sad or negative comment about how old they are.

And I want to say “I’m not as young as you think I am.”

And I want to say “Your age is at a neutral or a positive, not a negative.”

And I want to say “I noticed you seem like a cool person, not your age.”

But I don’t.

I half-laugh and wait for this culturally-induced awkward moment to pass.

Because what I want to say wouldn’t come out right in the moment.

So I wrote it here instead.