I've always had a babyface. Obviously when you're an actual baby, this proves no problem. However, now I am approaching the grand old age of 21, this has become somewhat of a burden on my life. When I turned 18, being ID'ed was the most amazing novelty. 'Of COURSE I have my ID', I would say as I whipped out my pink drivers licence, looking round at strangers with a 'don't worry, I got this' look on my face. However, I quickly learnt that being ID'ed was something that would a) never ever stop and b) not be restricted to alcohol.
Here is a montage of baby me. Clearly my pre GHD days
It all started on my best friend's 19th birthday. We had had a good day out shopping, were grabbing a pizza and decided why not go to the cinema to round off a lovely day. Cute, you may think. No. No it was not. Approaching the cinema, we pick our film of choice. 'The Inbetweeners Movie', a hapless schoolboy comedy. Nothing untoward here. However, after asking for two ADULT tickets to this film, the spotty power-hungry teenager that was serving me asked for my ID. 'My what?' I stutter. 'I need to see your ID please.' 'No, surely not.' 'Yes please'. 'Right.' Reaching in my bag, I again pulled out my pink driving licence, a hue that was rapidly matching my face, showing I was in fact a full three years older than the certification of this film. I had been mistaken for a 14 year old or under. We dodge the, of course, huge queue who are clearly stifling laughter to go and watch a film that I spend the entirety watching, surrounded by people MUCH YOUNGER THAN ME, mortified and wishing the seat would swallow me whole.
Me circa 2009. You will notice no facial aging present from my baby montage.
Following my previous blog post regarding my dilapidated student house, you won't be surprised to hear that the hobs when turned on, do not light themselves. No, like cavemen, we have to light it with a match or a gas lighter. Like most things in this property, the gas lighter I had bought decided to give up on me and so a trip to Wilkinson's (learn to love this shop if you're a soon-to-be-student) ensues. I approach the till with the lighter in my hand and only one thought in my head.. 'I wonder at what point this woman will ask me for my ID'. Sure enough, pretty much as soon as she sees me, regardless of the product in my hand. Thank God she did check though, because we all know that the difference between a 17 year old and an 18 year old with a vendetta, going on an arson rampage with a budget gas lighter has saved huge amounts of lives.
So now, with only a few months till my 21st birthday, graduation around the corner and real life looming, I think to myself when the hell will I look my age? My Mum assures me that looking young is a blessing, but she hasn't had to pull out her ID to buy a DVD in HMV before (yes, really. I think it was a 12 that time). When will the days where I am asked at the door of a bar for my ID, again at the bar ordering a drink, and then singled out and asked again at the table ever stop? And so I leave you with my very recent passport photo. What is legally required to be the most accurate representation of your face there is and let you decide. 12 year old or 21 year old?
Lessons learnt: If you suffer from this problem too, never ever step out of your door without some form of proof of age. You never know when a stranger will think your parents have lost their 3 year old and report you to the authorities.
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