Americans Lie About Their Ages Too
Even before the Chinese “Women’s” Gymnastic team won the gold medal yesterday, doubts were raised about the team members’ ages. Could these 4′9″, 77 pound, undeveloped girls (one with a missing tooth!) really be 16? Although the New York Times has discovered evidence to the contrary, the IOC does not seem particularly concerned with the potential scandal.
But let’s not pretend that lying about one’s age is unique to the Chinese, the Olympics or Charo.
My introduction to the benefits of lying about one’s age began when I reached the *dreaded* age of 11 and could no longer eat off some restaurants’ children’s menus. My dad, being the “frugal” (ahem, “cheap”) guy he is, would sometimes have me continue to order meals meant for the 10 and under crowd.
But sometimes it was more convenient for me to be older, like at Yellowstone National Park, where I was technically too young for the geyser tour, or at Disney World, where I magically became two years older to attend a taping of the Mickey Mouse Club.
Later, I started lying about my age for my own purposes, like getting into R-rated movies before I was 17, or drinking before I was 21. Although technically no one asked me my age, I was, of course, still lying.
And I have to admit that even after college, sometimes the benefits of student discounts overpowered my ability to not keep using my undated student ID.
I thought I had put all that behind me, when one day my stepson recounted a story of his recent visit to the zoo with his mom and brother. “We had to say that my brother was only two so he could get in for free, because we couldn’t afford it otherwise.” When I asked him if he thought that was OK, he said, “Yes, because my mom is kind of poor, and we really wanted to go to the zoo.”
I understand that age fabrication sometimes leads to a gold medal, more movie roles or a great discount. And I know that I have been unethical in the past when it comes to taking discounts I’m not entitled to. But I have to draw the line when it comes to letting, encouraging or conspiring with your children to lie. I know my parents did it, but I hope I’m strong enough not to.
If honesty should be worth more than a gold medal, shouldn’t it also be worth more than a small discount?
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