Do you look younger than your age?

I do wonder if it's not partly how we dress/act that makes people think this. As a generally nervous, awkward person I think I was always ID'd for drink (for example) because I always looked nervous because of the potential interaction, which made it look like I was up to something. 

I think it also maybe applies to appearance as well. I have never cared one bit about my external appearance, clothes or anything. Being totally honest I didn't really understand you were meant to regularly shower and wash your clothes until people pointed it out to me repeatedly as an adult. Now I make sure everything is always clean but other than that I'm exactly as I always was and I think that makes me look 'younger' as as a 40 odd year old I should probably be having a proper hair cut and bothering to shave. 

I do wonder if it's not partly how we dress/act that makes people think this. As a generally nervous, awkward person I think I was always ID'd for drink (for example) because I always looked nervous because of the potential interaction, which made it look like I was up to something. 

I think it also maybe applies to appearance as well. I have never cared one bit about my external appearance, clothes or anything. Being totally honest I didn't really understand you were meant to regularly shower and wash your clothes until people pointed it out to me repeatedly as an adult. Now I make sure everything is always clean but other than that I'm exactly as I always was and I think that makes me look 'younger' as as a 40 odd year old I should probably be having a proper hair cut and bothering to shave. 

I definitely think the way I dress has an impact on this- I dress 'alternative' and people associate that so strongly with teenagers that they automatically assume I'm a lot younger than I am.

Surprised autistic said:

(for example) because I always looked nervous because of the potential interaction, which made it look like I was up to something. 

Yes....I have the same problem but for a different perception.  I don't get perceived as looking nervous, but as a shady looking hitman or something to be wary of (because I'm never quite sure how to approach a new potential interaction.)  When I then start to act like a clown in an effort to lessen their suspicion of me, I look more like a mental crazy hitman and/or escaped patient who must certainly be up to something......if I then start talking rationally with long words and complex sentence structures, my goose can be really cooked !  I look old.  I am old.  For the record, I'm not shady !