Youthful Exuberance

We had a meeting with an overseas counterpart yesterday, and the moment I introduced myself this man remarked "Aren't you a bit young to be teaching law?".

Huh..? Dude, I didn't know that there's a minimum age requirement...

I decided to let it pass. I guess people in the third world tend to equate youth with inexperience and immaturity, while in the west youth is equated with potential, passion and new ideas. One time when I was in practice, a client asked me whether I am a qualified lawyer because I looked like someone who's just finished high school.

I usually do not let these comments affect my performance, because I get them often. I am a qualified person and I deserve to be where I am, doing what I'm doing. Period.

I suppose in certain professions looking your age (or older) will carry credibility. I know of a lawyer who started practice at 40- I suppose the age factor gave hime some mileage in the profession.. that and the fact that he rose from the ranks as a filing clerk.

I know for a fact that looking young will definitely be an advantage when I'm 40 and above. On the other hand, my children's friends call me "Aunty"... so that's a reality check to keep me balanced.