The "mall game" thread reminded me of a question that I've had. I like going to the mall. It's a good walk (especially when it's 5 below out, like it is now), I can get a bite to eat, a cup of coffee, or an ice cream cone, there are lots of people, and if I get bored, I can shop. When it comes to approaching women, though, I have one awful, show-stopping inhibitor. How do you tell the difference between a girl who's 17 and a girl who's 21? I tend to "estimate younger" just to be on the safe side because it would be so incredibly creepy for a man in his late 20's to hit on a high school student at the shopping mall.

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Some vices miss what is right because they are deficient, others because they are excessive, in feelings or in actions, while virtue finds and chooses the mean.
Aristotle, Ethica Nichomachea

This is a common issue in malls. Just go by what you think and eject if there's any signs that they're younger than what you are seeking, or what is legal [often if the girl is not legal, it's usually creepy to be talking to them (in your late 20s) if you don't already know them] . Maybe you can formulate non-IOI questions to get this info if you really aren't sure...you'll probably get a pretty good idea after talking to them.

Or just skip all that and only approach if you're certain they're over the creep-age.

Alright I can see instantly that this is going to be the sort of post that few people will put their neck on the line and provide an answer to.

I will have a stab but I will add that I am by no means 100% confident of any foolproof way of dealing with this issue. Not wanting to tempt fate I have this situation but the complete opposite way around so it isn't really a big deal that my target is older than I assume. So on this note I would say that you should stick to your guns of assuming younger over older.

As for addressing the problem itself it's going to take a bit of trial and error. You're going to need to invest time into your observational skills. I wont go into detail here because I am by no means an expert but make quick observations of your target.

Who is she with? Her friends? How old do they look?
What is she wearing? How does it compare to what girls of your age group wear?
What is she buying/bought?

Those are some quick observations off the top of my head. Obviously don't stand there gawking and making it obvious you're looking at her, a quick glance at a distance should be sufficient, otherwise you're at risk of becoming that creepy guy.

If anybody could add to what I have said or scrap it and supply an alternative that would take a weight off my mind

Honestly, who cares? Be friendly, be flirty and ask questions that will give you an idea as to her age, such as what she does for a living, or what she's studying. She'll tell you exaclty what age she is by answering the questions you ask her and then you'll know whether to walk away and just consider it a friendly conversation, or whether it is something to pursue further.

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"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

Amen Rye Lee.. also, from what I've experienced, younger girls tend to ask you your age very early on, which can be turned around to reveal her age quickly.

I hate the mall for this reason.
But I can't think of anyplace better for day game.