Friday, November 16, 2007

Of mice (or children) and men


Now, I fully realize that this is a dicey question to ask; furthermore, the question may not even need be asked since - as they say - the proof's in the puddin'. Regardless, vanity must be vanquished, and so, on with the question: Do I look old? There is (as you might imagine) a background that leads me to pose this question that so many avoid asking or answering. My complex all began one summer in Bolivia, when my favorite little girl guessed everyone's ages correctly (plus or minus one year) but mine. I, she guessed, was 37. Right... try subtracting 13 years. I chalked that up to "cultural differences," ignoring the fact that she had shrewdly guessed others' ages. Then, again this year in the Dominican Republic, all the kids consistently guessed that I was around 40... again, subtract that magical number 13. No need for concern, however; my 15-year-old lover assured me that age did not matter (to which I responded indignantly that it did, as though I really were 40 and he 15). In addition, countless times on the streets of Cabarete, I had random people stop and ask me if my friend was my daughter. Mind you, she was only 2 years younger than I.

The saga continues with my move to DC. I seem to have a propensity to attract older, foreign men. I have been hit on by men who are at least 45-50 years old (I know, it's ironic that I now am judging another's age) from Peru, Ghana, Turkey, and as recently as last night... Egypt. The Egyptian man from last night seemed compelled to extol all the virtues of freckles and red hair. I might add that these men are classy: I have found them in such high-ranking places as Costco, Target, Politics and Prose, and the metro. So, the question is: do I look old and that is why old men are hitting on me, and why kids of all ages think I am in my 40's, or is it something... je ne sais quoi?



You don't really have to answer the question, it is more a muddled musing on my part.

6 comments:

Jenny said...

Heather, this post is hilarious. You definitely don't look that old, and there's nothing wrong with older foreign men. They have the most refined of tasted, right? Reading this made me miss you and realize, sadly, we really haven't hung out since you moved here. Boooo.

Bugger said...

SMeather,,, I too miss you!
It has been way to long and I would say the next time I'm in DC I'll come see you but I don't make it there too often.. I'm so glad you started this blog. And I can't wait to see you so call me the number is still the same...
Love ya

Dianne said...

You don't look old at all!!! Chalk it up to the fact that older men are drawn to younger, sophisticated women. Trust me. :o)

Scott and Laura said...

This is really funny! I just think that older men are looking for a young, pretty girl to hang on their arm and that's why they are picking the best! Your beautiful red hair attracts people from these parts of the world since brown and blonde is all they know. As for your age, come on! You know I think you're like a little girl! So why would you ever think you look old! I sure miss you and can't wait to see you!

M. said...

first, should i be offended that you put a photo of me up with that post:) just kidding!! NO you dont look old! the little kids i wouldnt even chalk it up to cultural differences. Dont you remember when you were a little kid, figures of authority were always sooo much older (even if they were a 20 yr old student teacher) so they just blurt out some super big number. As for men hitting on you... what can i say, when your hot, your hot! (again, age having nothing to do with it!) but... i'll switch you, i get perturbed when people say i look 18. Uh, NO.

Heather Sanders said...

PS I took a test to see what my "real age" was, and it said I was 21. So, people are way off!