I'm younger - how can I get adults to take me seriously? [closed]

Question

I've been in multiple situations where I feel like my age (early teens) or my height didn't really serve me well, whether in how the other person spoke with me (by which I mean attitude/tone), whether they followed up with me, or whether they actually listened to what I was saying.

I try to be mature in such conversations, and I dress respectably.

1. How can you tell in such situations if it really is you (you're not acting maturely enough, or looking put together enough, etc)?
2. When it isn't you, how can you get adults to take one seriously?

Answer 1

I doubt there's a one size fits all answer here, but I would guess that being consistent helps. As in being consistently mature around said adults.

If one day you're mature and the next day you're not, adults will tend to error on the side of caution and treat you like a kid.

Beyond that there isn't really much you can do. People vary pretty widely, some adults are better at dealing with younger people than others.

I would caution you on wanting to grow up too fast though... I remember being an angsty teen, all I wanted was to be an adult, or at least be treated like one. Now I am an adult and I realize that it isn't as great as I thought it would be. People still tell me what to do, I still have to follow rules that don't make sense, and on top of that I have to go to work and pay bills...

Enjoy being a kid while it lasts. Adults are still crappy to other adults, sometimes much more so.

Answer 2

As a teenager, I have had a more recent experience of being a kid...

In my culture, children must not take part in adults discussions, as it shows them as acting too grown up at their age, like a prematurely-ripened fruit. In fact, I tried to go against this rule, but over time I realised that the adults listened to me a lot more when I talked less, and spoke only important things to them.

As for your question on how to tell if it's really you who's acting childish, your close friends are generally the best judge, as they know you pretty well. But as a rule of thumb, always put your hands behind your back, and speak at an audible volume that's not too loud, but not too soft either, remaining polite at all times. Keep in mind that adults generally trust no one's decision except their own, and knowing that, be persuasive, not aggressive in your tone.

And, when you are a hundred and ten percent sure that it really isn't you acting funny, but an adult is still not taking you seriously, tell them what you came to say once again, with a slight firmness, and see if they're convinced. If they're still not taking you seriously, and the matter is truly serious, possibly take it to a higher authority.

I've tried to answer in a way which would help 'kids' in general, it would still be important to know where you are from, as people from the respective place could give you better insight.