Quote Originally Posted by K9soul View Post
You can turn the bad into something good later on. Just continue to take the higher road than people who have to behave with such rudeness and hurtfulness.
Exactly. Everyone, absolutely EVERYONE, deserves our respect. If they are complaining to me, if they give me snide comments, if they are making rude gestures, if they're passing rumors about me, I will not further the negativity. I will take it, understand where they are coming from, and use the adversity as an exercise of willpower and compassion.

I know exactly what you mean, Alyssa. I'm 16 and was the zoo camp intern this summer. Every day, I met parents who were rushed, upset, and frustrated by one thing or another trivial thing. Although their negativity could have easily frustrated me, I would not allow it and I responded back with a smile and calm composure. Every time I was met with adversity, I tried to understand their side and responded back with positive compromise.

...Do you know, that by the end of the summer, most of the staff that I worked with didn't even know my age anymore? They all thought I was 18+ (they thought I was a college student). In fact, I was even offered a job to teach the zoo camp, an opportunity formally available only to college graduates.

Dealing with humans is the same with dealing with dogs: Exude calm confidence, leadership, and never lose your temper. In a matter of weeks, everybody will gauge you by your mental maturity, and not your physical years.