“It may have happened, it may not have happened but it could have happened.” 
― Mark Twain

Hello kids! How is the underage world these days? I ask because I no longer belong to it.

Yes, I have happily and finally acquired the status of an adult. Although nobody actually sees me as an adult and nobody actually takes me serious, I can rub it in the faces of my underage friends and taste a bit of power.

Being 18 in Europe gives you some perks.

First of all, you can drive. Although the US may think that it’s ok to put 16 year-olds in control of a death machine, here in Europe we like to put to good use our ability to think. And let me tell you, driving gets you places. Literally. Yes, you will also be the unofficial driver amongst your friends, but you can always play the guilt card and get them to do stuff for you (yes, I’m slightly evil, but if you’re just figuring that out now you have no place here).

Besides driving, you can buy whatever you freaking want (as long as it’s legal). Want to leave the country? That’s nobody’s business but yours. Feel like drinking a flaming shot of something that’s basically pure alcohol? You got it! Want some cigars so you’ll look like a sir? Here they are! Want to visit a strip club, a sex shop? Come on in! The possibilities are endless, my friend.

And guess what? That’s where the beauty of it all relies, in the possibilities. Because I know I can leave the country alone and without telling anyone about it, and I know I can go to a strip club, but guess what? I won’t. Because I might be an adult, but my parents don’t think so. So even though I can walk around and brag that I’m 18, I still tremble when I face my parents wrath, just like I did when I was 12.

Also, I may legally be able to do all of the above, but so do my 17-year-old friends in 98% of the cases. Because let’s face it, no one will ask you your ID card, so legally is exactly the key word here. Then I guess that being 18 in not that much different that being 17.

However, before I leave, here’s three cool things to do when you reach majority:

1.    Say: “I can do whatever I want, I’m 18”

2.    Tell one of your friends “You’ll understand when you’re an adult like me” in a condescending tone.

3.    Walk up to an older man or woman and say “Hey there, I’m eighteen and legal, you know”

The Joker,

Sophie Grey