Does age matter when it comes to advising someone (about life)?

Poll - Total Votes: 5

Yes, age matters

No, age does not matter

It depends

You can only vote on one answer.

So my older sister and I had a little argument. She is 2 years older than me and she keeps telling me not tell her what to do in her life (which I don't think I did, more like of an advise). She is in Europe, away from the family and alone. She just started working there for a few months. I would always tell her to take care and to save for herself and remind her to be financially stable as she is alone in there. I never asked her for anything in return as I don't really want to rely on her. I want her to have the best things in the world. But she keeps telling me that I am not old enough to advise her or tell her what to do. She also wants me to address her friends with honorifics (in our country, we address older people with honorifics or titles, but not really required).

Anyway, I am one of the persons in this world that believes that age doesn't really matter to advise someone in his or her life, (edit: although experiences indeed matter). In my defense, I told her that we are only 2 years old apart and I do believe that we have different companies in life (I mostly work and have friends who are a lot older than me, while her friends are just her age or a little older), like even if she's older, our experiences in life isn't really apart. So what do you guys think? What are your thoughts about the subject?

EDIT: All opinions are welcome. Not fishing for people who will agree with me, just to be clear.

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CaptainCanadia · 41-45, M

Haha, two years? Come on. Once you're out of your teen years, two years is meaningless. Is she going to say this when one of you is 69 and one is 67? It's a nonsense argument.

fruitspunch · 31-35, F

yeap, that is what i think as well. We are already in our early 20s.

CaptainCanadia · 41-45, M

Right. You could throw it in her face and talk about how very old she is all the time and refer to her with the respect you would someone who is seventy.

fruitspunch · 31-35, F

@TyphoidJerry: yea, and i don't think honorifics doesn't mean much anymore these days. If you respect someone, you just show it. It's not like we are at work or something

sunrisehawk · 61-69, M

Age is just time passing. Living is what gives you experience. To give advice is easy. To understand and give advice that matters is the result of knowledge, experience, and reflection. Just because you know something or have lived through something, it doesn't automatically follow that you've thought about it.

Some people start to acquire wisdom early in life, others later, and some never.

I'd suggest that you smile, thank your sister for her advice and then make up your own mind. It could be that she just loves and cares for you, it could be she thinks she knows best, or both.

fruitspunch · 31-35, F

Thanks for your comment. You are right about age being only a number and giving advises are easier than living by it. I respect her opinion to tell me that I can't tell her what to do, however, it's just that I don't agree that just because she is older by 2 years is the reason to that, and she is required to tell me what to do in life with the same logic.

TxRocker · 46-50, M

Age doesn't equal wisdom, people learn differently, but as for your relationship with ur sister, I'd say "butt out" she's of age and can make her own decisions... Respect her for that, she may surprise you... If we all danced the same to the beat of a drum, how boring life would be. ;) hope this helps Rocker

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TxRocker · 46-50, M

You see the fact that you don't see how your actions aren't welcome by your sister, that's the whole problem... I can't believe you don't understand that ????

fruitspunch · 31-35, F

@TxRocker: I see that clearly, that's why I stopped talking about it and changed the subject when we talk. I am aware that she doesn't want me tell her what to do. But IMO, her reason is because I am younger than her is a bit not fair . I would accept it if she told me that it's her life to live. When she tells me what to do and I don't agree with her, she will get upset about it and will bring up her being older that's why she knows best. Although I didnt say it in the question, my issue is I'm 2 years young to "tell"/advise
her what to do, and she is 2 years older than me "tell" me what to do, which to me is unfair. But im asking people in general if people thinks age matters in giving life advises. Plus, couldn't find a right catalogue so I just chose "seeking advise".

TxRocker · 46-50, M

Sweetie, this dynamic between you and her was set up many years ago, you will quit getting treated like little sis when you stop giving her the power to look down on you. Quit seeking her approval you will never get it. Start being and doing your own thing, and quit asking for approval, it's your life just go live it...

ItsAllAboutLove · F

Some people can be a lot smarter/intelligent for their age compared with other people who are (much) older than them. I think it all depends on our own experiences. Some people can learn more lifelessons in a shorter lifetime than others, and I think that's where the differences are.

Ambroseguy80 · 56-60, M

Not always. Experience in life helps, but some young people really have their heads screwed on straight and can teach us oldies a thing or two...

lilledrage

That's ridiculous. 2 years is nothing. Likely she doesn't like being told what to do and needs excuses to why she shouldn't listen

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