We want to get the week off to a lively start, so every Monday, we're going to pose a question that we hope will inspire some lively debate. This week's topic is a controversial one and we expect to get lots of opinions on all sides: Do you tell people your real age?
Some of us feel very strongly that honesty is the only way to go when it comes to this touchy issue. Once you start lying about your age, it's so easy to get caught in a trap. For example, you're only confessed to being in your early 40s. Then how come you remember when Cher ran off to Vegas with Gregg Allman? (Or even who Cher and Gregg Allman are?)
But many of us argue that there's a real cost to being honest, especially if you're looking for work or trying to stay on the job. After you cross the threshold of 50, you worry that people will suddenly see you as over the hill –even if you're the most productive person in your department. If you do lose your job, it will be harder to find a new one; on average, older workers are out of work much longer than younger people. Do you lop off some years (and jobs) at the early end of your resume? You're not alone.
Then, of course, there's vanity. Everyone has an image in their mind of their age, and it's often quite different from the calendar. At 52, for example, you might still feel like 36. So why not just split the difference and say you're 44?
Please weigh in with your strategies for dealing with the age question. Is honesty the best policy?