If you are fortunate enough to look under the age of 21...

[kexin]

Througout my summer placements and now my pre-reg, I've often come across situations where customers don't take me seriously because God has given me a face and a body that appears younger than my age! Because of this I've had customers who would repeat the same question to another non-pharmacist members of staff after first speaking to me (by all means no offense to the other members of the team - as I am yet 'unqualified'). This does worry me somewhat as if patients can't trust me to give them suitable advice now, how on Earth do I expect them to trust me on the advice I give after (and if) I qualify as a pharmacist.

I do dress professionally at work, and sometimes better than my tutor/boss, so I don't feel that I am projecting an image of one who isn't mature enough to handle 'minor ailments' and the like. But it is a bit discouraging to have people underestimate you. Is there anything more I can do other than to wait till I grow old and develop wrinkles and grey hair (though I hear being a pharmacist does speed up the greying of hair quite a bit as well as the rate of hair loss)?

[hibernia]

Througout my summer placements and now my pre-reg, I've often come across situations where customers don't take me seriously because God has given me a face and a body that appears younger than my age

There isn't a lot you can do. Regular customers will get to recognise you after a while. Get a name-badge that says PHAMACIST in big letters and try to look confident.

[johnep]

I was the same and refused drinks in pubs. Was able to child fares etc for a long time. Now, it is a great advantage.
johnep

[CJH86]

I know the feeling!....not so long ago i had a customer think a first year placement student was the pharmacist rather than me! I still get 'can i speak to the pharmacist?' and 'you look too young to be a pharmacist' etc from time to time, but now im getting nearer to 30 i am not complaining!! The name badge idea helps a lot in my experience...at the end of the day to most people a pharmacist is a pharmacist.

[hibernia]

I still get 'you look too young to be a pharmacist' etc from time to time,.

The best reply to that is 'thank you so much, that cream that promises to makes you look ten years younger is actually working at last...'

[zakkaz]

Don't worry, I'm 29 and sometimes get 'can I speak to the pharmacist.' It's great. Use a 'young persons rail card' too

[LeftArm]

I'm not a pharmacist but if I wear a tie most customers seem to think I am. (Although I don't look under the age of 21 more's the pity)

[laurabuk]

I wish I had this problem!! I'm only 23 and was asked by one of the medical students last week if I was the Medical Registrar

[kl06229]

I find it an annoyance at most. People walking into the pharmacy have a game called "guess the pharmacist's age", and many people assume I'm 18 or something (I'm 25). My whole family look younger than they really are, so when you get older it becomes a good thing. Guess it's great if you want to flirt and date younger women?

[Nik]

I'm only 23 and was asked by one of the medical students last week if I was the Medical Registrar

Similar issue here, look young but because our dress code is smart, I often get confused for a doc. Have had consultants and reg's in the past come up to me to start reviewing patients !