Compliment of the day...or not?

Today at a sports clothing store the sales person asked me THE question that can be taken either incredibly well or very badly, "Are you taxable?"

Let me explain first. In British Columbia we pay two taxes, one provincial and the other federal. And for children under 16 they pay only the federal tax for clothing, etc. At the store today I was tempted to say to the well-meaning gentleman, "Thank you. But I've been taxable for 10 years."

Now you understand my dilemma. In fact, I'm in similar situations rather frequently. At the seminary I'm often mistaken for a Boyce College student. At the church I've been asked "What grade are you in?" several times. I never mean to play cute or even hide my age. I understand that we Asians tend to look younger than we actually are. But I don't really know how to take it when I'm mistaken for a high school student. Is it the way I dress? I have been trying to build a more mature wardrobe. It just doesn't make sense for me to dress up all nice and formal for going to classes and Friday night Bible study. Actually if it's the way I look, I don't really care and I can't really do anything about it. I've come to accept that my babyfat may be with me till the day I die. And more than anything else, "Comfort is everything" has been my motto in choosing clothes. On the other hand, if it's the way I act and talk, then we have a serious problem.

Whenever awkward questions like "What grade are you in?" come up, they always give me a reality check. Am I acting flippantly? Do I use "like" too much in my speech? Am I being too timid? What kind of image do I convey through my action? I still have a long way to go apparently. Hey, if you have any pointers for how a mid-twenties female should act, your input would be greatly appreciated.