s/o "adult" talk: TV "adults" vs. real-life "adults"

SBS0628

So, I was watching an old episode of FRIENDS last night. At one point, Chandler says something like "You're 32, Joe. You're 32."

I said to my DH (who is 32) "Woah. That's so weird. You're the same age Joey is supposed to be." He replied "Why is that weird?" I said "Because...well...they seem so...I dunno...grown-up?"

But here's the thing. It was just after Chandler & Monica's wedding. (Okay, everyone on this board is married, including myself. That's not weird). Rachel is pregnant. (Okay, I know lots of people who are pregnant and/or have kids. That's not weird). Ross is a professor. (Umm...lots of my friends are professors). Phoebe and Joey don't really know where their careers are going (cue all my other friends who aren't professors).

So why is it that I see the people on FRIENDS (or How I Met Your Mother, or Will & Grace, or other shows) as "grown-up" but I don't see myself that way?

Does anyone else have this disconnect?

mamie329

I think with "Friends" it's because you imagine yourself as the age when you first started watching it. You remember them as being so much older and adult because you were, idk, a teen? I'm going to be 30 and I still think that's crazy old! My husband is 33. That boggles my mind I'm married to a 33-year-old. Haha. 

mbd62709

mamie329:

I think with "Friends" it's because you imagine yourself as the age when you first started watching it. You remember them as being so much older and adult because you were, idk, a teen? . 

I think mamie hit the nail on the head. This was my thought exactly.

vhcoleman09

mbd62709:

mamie329:

I think with "Friends" it's because you imagine yourself as the age when you first started watching it. You remember them as being so much older and adult because you were, idk, a teen? . 

I think mamie hit the nail on the head. This was my thought exactly.

I agree. I always considered the characters on Friends to be much older because I was a teen when I started watching. I feel completely different watching How I Met Your Mother. They all seem like they're my age and could be people I hang out with. But I'm 32, with a kid, so I feel more like an "adult" these days anyway.

SBS0628

vhcoleman09:

mbd62709:

mamie329:

I think with "Friends" it's because you imagine yourself as the age when you first started watching it. You remember them as being so much older and adult because you were, idk, a teen? . 

I think mamie hit the nail on the head. This was my thought exactly.

I agree. I always considered the characters on Friends to be much older because I was a teen when I started watching. I feel completely different watching How I Met Your Mother. They all seem like they're my age and could be people I hang out with. But I'm 32, with a kid, so I feel more like an "adult" these days anyway.

See, I was just about to mention How I Met Your Mother. I LOVE that show. And am the same age of the characters (and was when I started watching it). And yet, I still feel like they're older than me too...

Perhaps it's just because TV characters have much more exciting lives whereas I, well, um, watch TV?