Wednesday, November 4, 2009

QUESTIONABLE QUESTIONS

Being twins, we’re used to questions. We’ve been asked them all from “Are you identical?” to “Which one is the evil twin?” Call us sensitive when it comes to some questions, but when a question makes you wince then it’s probably the kind that’s trying to peg your social status, your financial status, your love life, etc. Below are some that pass the wince test. (Please note that some of these questions are perfectly acceptable depending on how well you know the person who’s being questioned.)

1. Do you all have the same father? Families today, don’t look like they used to with overseas adoptions, interracial marriages and extended families. There’s no need to ask a question like this except if you are a doctor inquiring about a family’s medical history.

2. What does your wife/husband do? Just because a man is wearing a wedding band doesn’t mean he’s married to a woman. The same goes for a woman.

3. Are you two married? Asking a couple about their marital status could be uncomfortable if they’re not married and one of them would like to be.

4. How old are you? This age-old question stirs up all kinds of emotions after age ten. The only ones who can get away with it are doctors, lawyers and forgetful parents.

5. Why were you in the hospital? If you don’t know that means you don’t know the person well enough. And maybe they don’t want to talk about their hemorrhoid operation.

6. How big is your farm? This is another way of asking, “How much land are you rich enough to own?”

7. Did your son/daughter get a scholarship? This question could rub someone wrong for a couple reasons. One, it’s an underhanded way of inquiring about someone’s finances. Two, it’s a sly way to find out how smart or talented their kid is.

8. Is he/she gay? Who wants to know and why? This question is usually used as a tool to label someone. It’s also usually asked when a person’s sexual preferences have nothing to do with the conversation or situation at hand.

9. I love your ring, how big is it? We can understand the curiosity of knowing what two or three carats look like but are those dollar signs we see in that bubble over your head?

10. Do you mind my asking how much rent do you pay? Unless you’re a financial institution or offering to pay someone’s rent, don’t ask.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

My favorite instance of "false assumptions of a couple's relationship status" went like this:

Once, while leaving for a trip, a date and I were browsing the trinkets an airport duty free shop. The shop attendant was probably trying to cover all her bases when she suggested: "Perhaps your wife or girlfriend would like that bracelet to remember your trip."

I was in the middle of my divorce at the time, and my date suddenly at a loss for words and about to be embarrassed. I replied to the shop attendant: "No, I don't think either of them would like it."

Hopefully that was enough of a hint that her sales pitch was in need of revision. My date and I laughed about this for the rest of the trip.

Anonymous said...

good ones...

Anonymous said...

touche!  i can't tell you how often i'm asked "how big is your farm?".  first of all, i don't own a farm - my mother does.  and while it may be an innocent - or ignorant - question, it really is a way of asking what you're worth.

i enjoy reading the blog...keep'em coming!

Anonymous said...

touche!  i can't tell you how often i'm asked "how big is your farm?".  first of all, i don't own a farm - my mother does.  and while it may be an innocent - or ignorant - question, it really is a way of asking what you're worth.

i enjoy reading the blog...keep'em coming!

Anonymous said...

VERY ENLIGHTENING....I'VE A FEW FAUX PAS(ES)MYSELF...