Family First
I’m not sure if you are familiar with those annoying Family First agents in the malls. Nevertheless, let me tell you about them. These agents are found in the malls, usually near the entrances. They were trained to ask this single question to the passersby: “Do you have a credit card?” Some would even follow the shoppers carrying with them a bag and an umbrella — both bearing a logo of the company — until they get an answer. Reply with a “no” and you’re safe, otherwise, you’re caught under their bait which will they make more enticing with the stupid freebies they are holding. The next thing you’ll know is that you are in their headquarters listening to an agent’s drowning voice about saving money for the future and sign what-god-knows-what contracts while drinking iced tea (which my teacher back in high school commented that there must be something in it that would make you sign the contracts) for hours. And you’ll get even pressured because for ever person they tricked into signing, all the agents would clap in unison. Scripted… Eh? Nice tactics, right? But that’s not I want to talk about.
I asked my high school friends if these nagging agents already asked them with the same question. Well, they were. These agents are actually getting into my friends’ nerves. But me? No! I was never asked with that stupid question. Haha. I guess, they don’t perceive me as someone who is old enough to have a credit card. But I’m not saying that I have one. LOL. My Dad actually asked me if I wanted a credit card but I didn’t accept his offer.
Earlier this year, I had a hard time convincing a bank teller that I’m already a college student. During my summer classes, my instructor asked me how old I am (and I was the only one who was asked with that question). Last week, during our first meeting in my major subject, my professor asked me “Dear, are you lost? This is not high school.” Yesterday, another instructor told me “Mukha kang totoy!” If you were to compare me with my younger sister (who is a graduating high school student), maybe, you would say that we were born on the same year or I look younger than her.
When will this stop? I’m not enjoying it really. Well, I used to but not anymore. Maybe, some of my younger readers look older than me. I’m 18, a junior student and I don’t know if people will believe me.
I know, I’ve already ranted about this… but then again, this is my blog! Haha. I’m just really annoyed. For the past two years, I’ve been on constant stress, but it looks like that it didn’t affect my appearance. If this year was stressful enough for me, we would be able to see it draw lines on my face. Maybe, I have this power that can retain my youth. Haha. Now, I should be included as one of the main characters of Heroes.
I’m actually tempted to go to the liquor store in the mall and see if the cashier and guard on duty would stop me. Hahaha.
June 21, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
why not try that?
hahahah! let’s seeeee! haha
June 22, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
i am personally annoyed with these family first agents. some of them are plainly “bastos”, rude and without manners. I am not homophobic but most of these rude agents happen to be “badings”.
Ayun, kaya tuloy nababastos din sila in return.
June 22, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
I have been mistaken as younger than my age, but it never really annoyed me. Anyway, those FF agents are usually at SM Malls, and they actually have a “square”, wherein they can’t go past those lines, so if you walk past them, avoid the square! I have been annoyed by one of them before. I was on the phone and this guy just had to ask me that magical question, “Do u have a credit card?” I had to yell at him for being rude, coz he won’t let me go, as I said I am busy talking to someone on the phone.
*damn! did I just rant on your comment box?*
June 22, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Haha. Yea. nakakairita nga yun! :[ <3
June 23, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I’m always targeted by such sales agents but I always decline whatever they are offering by making an excuse that I’m in a hurry to meet someone.
June 25, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
I’M ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY THOSE SALES AGENTS. Heck, even some supermarket employee once told me “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY” for chrissake!!Ah, I wanna look a bit younger. The taxi drivers I ask how old I look like would say 24 or 21. Nothing younger. Nothing even CLOSE to seventeen.
Tips to look at least older: DON’T SHAVE YER FACIAL HAIR.
Also, make your hair a bit scruffy and messy and longer than usual. Not the “barbers” or the elementary type of hair-do.
And wear collared shirts? Uh, I dunno really. But that’s according to my friends who have been telling me to “shave my facial hair, make my hair shorter and stop wearing too much formal or collared shirts”.
Heh. You’ll look OLDAR.
June 26, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Hehe. No one believes that I’m an 18-year-old guy. I look like 19 daw. Sad.
June 26, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
Aww.. *sides with you* No one believes that I’m 18, too. They say I look like 12, pag nasa mood ako I’ll just smile at those people saying that.. pero pag naabutan nila akong wala sa mood I would give them a ‘are you trying to fuck with me?’ look. (Hindi fuck na ano ha, LOL!)
And I’ve never been approached by those Family First people, akala ko nga type mo yan at first eh, I thought ‘Fitness First’, haha! Kasi mukha lang naman akong batang paslit sa mall with my mom, with an annoyed face.. Hahaha!
June 26, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
Some people thinks I’m the youngest in the family when I’m with my younger brother while others think I’m the older one when I’m with my elder sister. It’s kinda irritating.
June 27, 2008 @ 8:59 am
waah! i’ve read this already but i guess i forgot to comment.
don’t worry, pagtanda mo iba na ang hahangarin mo. that also happens to me a lot to.. except it happens to me in the movie house. grrr.
June 29, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
Nakakainis yung mga ganyang marketing strategy. Feeling ko yung mga ganyan, usually, di talaga registered ang business. Hindi kais tinuturo sa Business school yung ganyan na Marketing strategy eh.
I remember when I was to take my Police clearance. Parang ayaw maniwala nung police na 21 na ako.0_o
June 30, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
i hate those people who are asking you to sign an application for credit card or something like that. its so annoying… tapos hahabulin ka pa nila kundi mo papansinin.
June 30, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
Mag-shabu ka, magmumuka kang matanda. lol.
July 5, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
I always get mixed perceptions. Sometimes they think I’m younger than my age, sometimes they think I’m older. I’m short, so probably that’s why..
Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll look your age soon. As for now, just enjoy it
soon the joke will be on them. 
July 5, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
Dude. You’re not alone. Most people think I’m fifteen. But hey, that’s not such a bad thing.