I was listening to a podcast (name redacted to protect a thing I love) and one of the hosts said a sentence I’ve always hated.

“You’ll understand when you’re older.”

People didn’t say this to me much when I was a kid, which is lucky because I was an exceptionally trusting child and would have believed them. And, as everyone who has achieved “older” knows, this is absolute shenanigans.
When someone says “you’ll understand when you’re older,” what they really mean is “once you get more experience in this area you’ll have a better understanding.” If you managed to achieve 500 hours of tax applications or whatever while you’re 16 years old, you’ll have that “older” understanding.
Age doesn’t magically impart whatever wisdom the older person is suggesting. That horrible sentence just makes it sound like it does. I didn’t magically understand job hunting at 20 or romantic relationships at 15 or whatever else it is people say this about. Birthdays don’t impart life wisdom, experience does. Like all else in life, you have to work for it. (I know. I hate that part too.)

Is there a point this post? No, it’s just a rant. Is there another “advice” sentence you’ve always hated? Let me know!