Originally Posted by swivel
I guess it is handy, but I would rather take the time to ask a few questions before I judge someone on age. (btw... thanks for helping me derail this thread).
I would look at the first post in this thread and guess 12. No way is someone a year from driving legally and talking like this. By 15, your cussing skills are usually more finely honed. This guy sounds like he just learned how to cuss last week from a single bathroom stall.
When I was 15, the U.S. Navy made me an Ensign 2nd class because of a single rant I had regarding my curfew. Perhaps I was just advanced.
Besides, your conclusions were neither inductive nor deductive. Had the kid not revealed his age, and you made your comment, I would have been impressed. Instead you sound more like an Alchemist or an Astrologer whose reasoning depends on already knowing the answer. "Of course you are a Cancer. You are very tidy. I would have guessed that you are a Cancer". That sort of thing.
I'm just sensitive towards ageists and ageism in general. I have had to struggle my entire life with being very young for being in college, in my chosen profession, and now with retirement.