Stephanie Barnes
11. Always angry
Always angry when I could literally have tears running down my face or a completely blank expression or am actively laughing.
It’s obnoxious but lets me know who to avoid.
12. Intimidating
At first sight many of my friends thought I was intimidating. I guess it’s because most of the time I’m make me look distant not to be bothered. But I become the sweetest person with people I know well.
13. Age is just a number
People think I’m super young ????????. I’m 23, which yes is still young, but it’s not okay for someone to think I’m 16 when I’m a full time elementary school teacher. It doesn’t help I still have acne.
14. Maybe she’s queer
That I’m queer and/or non-binary. Nope, boring ol’ cishet over here.
15. Pretty = Happy
For some reason pretty girls are supposed to be happy all the time and have a perfect life. People always assume I’ve had a great life or I’ve had no struggles because I’m conveniently attractive and look young for my age. The other day I was in an Uber and my drive said something about me being out of school that day (I get this a lot). I corrected her and told her that I was 23, and she says, “girl, you look 16!” We both laughed, then she says, “that just means you haven’t had a hard life. You’re lucky.” I got super triggered and kept quite the rest of the ride. Like, what am I suppose to say?
16. That muscles mean manly
I’m kinda muscular, and people automatically think that I’m intimidating and/or have a low voice because of that (my voice is actually pretty high)
17. Judgmental
That because I’m conventionally attractive I am mean, judgmental, or somehow think I’m better than anyone else.
I’m not any better or worse than anyone else based on how I look.
18. Drug user
Physical appearance? That I use or have used drugs. My face is naturally very pale & my teeth have cavities from amelogenesis imperfecta, I have almost no enamel on my teeth.
19. Blue hair, don’t care
Oh and that I have blue hair because I want attention or that I’m full of myself. I just like blue!
20. Privileged
That I’m privileged. I come from a poor immigrant family and have no generational wealth whatsoever. But there have been a few times that people “assumed.” It’s frustrating but I know it could be much worse obviously.
