Lack of Age Disclosure Here Is Frustrating

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Actually, if you read all of the replies here, I think you will see that it is. That's the overwhelming complaint among people who choose to hide their ages. I admit that it might not be your personal issue. But, I was looking for something of a consensus, which I got.


You're welcome to that view. A lot of people seem to hold it. I and others have given numerous examples of situations in which not knowing a poster's age makes coming up with an appropriate response quite difficult.

A lot of times I can get a ballpark age range by what the poster posts about. If they are talking about school, must be lower twenties or less. Talking about careers implies they aren't in school anymore so maybe old enough to have graduated college? I can often estimate the age of posters just by reading what they type
Of course, some mid lifers or older do attend college, but that's not most people. There are exceptions and it does happen and I have noticed some people past twenty five on wp who do attend college classes, so I would be somewhat misled if they didn't include their ages in their profiles. I doubt it would affect my responses much because they are so bland, anyway.
I can also sometimes guesstimate age range by how the poster expresses themselves. Lots of slang words and usage of "u" and "r" implies a younger poster. I don't feel like I am totally clueless about a posters age just because they don't disclose it. To me it doesn't matter. You chose to disclose your age in your profile but I would be writing the same response I am to you to anyone, regardless of age. I view my posts as bland and not age specific.

I didn't think about it until you wrote that, but I might hold back and not answer a post from a known underage girl, as there's so much focus on adult men being inappropriate that way. I don't want to even get close to putting myself in a position to be accused of that, so I'd probably shy away altogether. Sadly the result would be that a potential legitimate discussion started by a little girl, might go without legitimate input from adult men who feel the way I do about being too careful.

Charles

Finally Thank you

(emphasis mine)
Sometimes it's simply not clear for the person, either


Ignore them. At your age, many still live with their parents. I still lived with mine until last year. I was 27 when I moved out.

Last edited by kc8ufv on 10 Nov 2010, 12:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Surely that's a reason not to post your age since a productive conversation would be prevented by that knowledge in that case?

Though, TBH, I don't see why you'd be paranoid about simply answering a thread started by a teenage girl...

I guess it could create a market for 'identity security'.

(27) I don’t think I can ever remember trying to be age-appropriate. I mostly try to education-level appropriate, or tiptoe around sensitive people or certain insecurities I can identify with. I feel the most at ease around children and young teens. Their curiosity and take on things interests me. I know young people are impressionable. I don’t necessarily believe that makes them naïve about who they are or what is right and wrong.

Last edited by lissy983 on 10 Nov 2010, 2:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Remember people, when writing on a public forum, always assume that teenagers and the like will see your post, because they will, no matter who's thread you're in.

My point exactly. And *gasp*, oh my god...from a teenager!

Bravo, young friend.

I, too, want to get to know people, and people to get to know me, but I don't post my age on default, here, because to do that, I have to disclose my birthday, as well, and I don't want my birthday to be out in the open - adding it together with some things I say, here, it could reveal my identity to some people that could end up reading this forum, and I do not want that to be able to happen. I'm only comfortable revealing some of my rather extreme views anonymously, or to people I have gotten to know better. I have, however, added my age, that currently is 29, in my profile. Personally, I would have it shown by default, as well, if you wouldn't have to reveal your birthday... this isn't necessary to do on many other forums.

is there some reson it must be disclosed?

desrire to now sones personal info is not the right to know someones personal info