For Minors: 4 ways to make yourself seem like an adult

As many of you know, I started traveling at just 17 years old. Being under the “legal” age mark presents a number of complications when traveling around the globe such as:

1. Booking airline tickets
2. Booking/checking in to hostel/hotel rooms
3. Joining clubs or membership programs for savings

Most of the time, I had no problem getting these things done anyways, using a combination of the tips below, my mature-looking face/body, and my natural charm.

If you are a minor and you find yourself in a situation like the above, try the techniques outlined below:

1. Ask for a lighter
   It is sad but true, cigarettes still make people perceive you as an older person. It is a subconscious switch in their head that tells them that you would need to be at least 18 to obtain them, and be open about smoking them.I am not recommending smoking. As a non-smoker, you can still use this technique to your advantage: Ask for a lighter (usually they will say no, especially if they are working).

   If they say yes, reach into your pockets (not too eagerly) and tell them you forgot your cigarettes in your pack or you just ran out, tell them thanks anyways.

   If they offer you one of theirs, look at the brand and tell them you smoke a different brand and politely decline.

2. Speak professionally and correctly
   Though it isn’t what most want to hear, it still very much rings true. A large portion of the adults in the US and many other westernized countries base a large portion of their opinions of a person into grammar and spelling.Look at yourself objectively and ask yourself if you are truly speaking proper/professional/mature English (or whatever your country’s language may be). If not, go to the library and pick up a grammar book or watch old American television shows and movies like “Father Knows Best” or “The Music Man”. Observe and imitate the grammar and speech patterns.

   You’ll be amazed at how differently someone treats you when you speak and write like a conscious, mature person.

3. Speak only when spoken to
   Ok the heading above is sort of cliche-sounding. If booking a reservation, checking into a hotel room, etc. the best policy is to keep your trap shut. If standing in line, observe those who go before you: Your goal is to be exactly like them. You must NOT stand out from the pack or you are sunk.If they ask for an ID, give it to them. Don’t try to justify the birthdate. If you remain calm and keep a level, consistent stare, they will often dismiss their initial age calculations as a fault of their own.
4. Order as much as you can online
   Few ticket-sellers or otherwise will question an online reservation. Most of these online systems require credit cards for booking and as you would have used your Paypal Debit Card, Visa Gift Card or Bank Card, you have gotten past the test. From this point forward, they will rarely look at anything other than the name on your ID.This is an especially important step for hotels and hostels. Many hostel employees just don’t care as long as you have your ducks in a row, and the hotel employees are trained to get you moved on and into your room as soon as possible.
5. Make a mistake on your form
   When filling out a blockbuster membership application, or signing up for an adults-only website like couchsurfing.com. Unless it is stated explicitly, you are not signing a legal document. Thus, the law is in your favor if your finger slips and you accidentally write or type a year or two before you were born. Just food for thought, I will take no responsibility for the result of these actions.

Let me know how these tips work for you!

And please, don’t do anything stupid with them and get yourself arrested or something. Its not at ALL worth it.

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Tagged as: Travel Tips