The difference between being mature and immature is often at the whim of the person who says someone else is being immature. Many times the person who labels someone else as immature is immature in their own right and the insult or the trying to devalue you as a person in that instance, says as much about them as it does about you. This is often generational and/or someone who is slightly older versus someone who is considered younger.
Now having said that, I believe the difference between being mature and immature are fairly distinct. Here is a short list of things I think embody a mature person, regardless of age:
- Knows the difference between wants and needs - and ACTS on it appropriately
- Knows situations are temporary and never uses permanent solutions to temporary problems
- Is a person of integrity in thought and deed
- Can be counted on - being on time, being there in time of need, keeping his/her word, etc.
- Has respect for his/herself and those they choose to be around
- Knows how to act in accordance with respect to age, situation and time
- Leave a place, job, relationship, etc. in a better way than when he/she started it with