I'd like to add that the term that makes the unbelieveable, believeable, is called neotony. The retention of child-like features well into adulthood. Neotony is rather scarce in Europeans. Africans are more prone in having neotony, but southeast Asians have the greatest percentage of neotony in their population.
For reference, my Mom was in her early forties and she was carded in a bar. My Dad, likewise, was in his mid forties and thought to be younger than his 33 year old (second) wife. For myself, I was still getting carded in my mid forties despite having gray in my beard. More believable in my late 50's that I'm older, but if I shave off my beard, I instantly look 20 years younger.
However, while women find it complementary to be looked upon as younger than their age, men (me foremost) find it nothing but insulting. Or I'm instantly looked upon as being a sexual predator, because I looked like I was younger than 18 for many years and thereby presumed to be hitting on women much younger (minors) than myself. |