Vent post- people who comment on your appearance

people who think its appropriate to tell you "you look like you're 12!". What possesses them to do this, truly. I just spent an hour running a clinical visit with you and you hit me with the "you look like you're 12 years old" after telling me about your 12yo son's birthday that i did not even ask about. Do 12 year olds hold full time jobs that require degrees??? no?? then can we please be so for real rn.

That comment does absolutely nothing for anyone. its actually downright disrespectful if you ask me---i'm a full grown adult, with a job, and a life the same as you. i dont care that looking Young is the beauty standard--If I look like a child to you, then youre treating me like one. And its been confirmed for me when you tell me, an adult, that i look like a child. It's not a compliment, it's negging. And the bottom line is you wouldn't say something like that to someone you respect.

its especially disheartening when you actually spent time and effort on your appearance that day and you get that comment. It's like, what can I realistically do to look like an adult and be treated like one? i dont want to leave the house feeling pretty and confident and then get told I essentially look like a child playing dress up. It's just pointing out one's insecurities for no reason. It's condescending. Again: it's negging, its DISRESPECTFUL.

I know this might sound like kind of a dramatic take, im really used to this especially being of small stature on top of having a baby face, and it doesn't always bother me. but sometimes this comment really feels like the final straw. like seriously: it's considered rude to treat people like children in every other way, its rude to baby talk people and boss them around and pat short people's heads and anything else infantilizing. So why is this acceptable and always turned back around on the receiver as a "compliment" even when its clear they don't consider it one?!?

i'm sick of the gaslighting by society! it's not a compliment! its condescending and infantilizing and RUDE!