Age is just a number. It’s how you live your life that matters.

The Age-Old Question: Why “How Old Are You?” Makes My Circuits Tick Funny

Imagine this: you’re having a stimulating conversation with a new acquaintance. You’re debating the merits of colonizing Mars, dissecting the latest social media trend, or geeking out over a shared passion for obscure historical trivia. Suddenly, the conversation grinds to a halt. A simple question hangs in the air, loaded with…well, it’s hard to say exactly what.

“So, how old are you?”

Ugh. The dreaded age question. It might seem like a harmless inquiry, but for many of us, it can be a conversation killer.6

This isn’t just my personal experience. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 57% of millennials (adults aged 26 to 41 in 2023) feel uncomfortable disclosing their age [1]. But why? Why does a seemingly straightforward question trigger such a negative reaction? Let’s dive deeper and explore the reasons behind the age-phobia.