Questions people find offensive

I usually find it easy to have conversations with people from all walks of life. There are always those questions you will ask or get asked and see faces turn red. Questions people find offensive and would rather not be asked, mostly because of the topics of discussion they may lead to. These questions put us in an awkward position because of the insecurities we naturally have about certain things, depending largely on our cultural backgrounds. For example I have come to learn that it's 'impolite' to ask someone how much they weigh here in Europe, which is really not the case where I come from (Uganda). People also feel like these questions are being used as a judging tool more than just chit chat, which is often true. So the next time you go quizzing someone, you may want to think of how well you know this person, their cultural background and probably the setup in which you are asking certain things. But if you're innocently as curious as I am, you can ignore that and tactfully ask away, just try to be as polite as you can possibly be. Here we go;

• How old are you? The question of age comes down to what level of success you are for the time you have been on earth. This puts people in a an uncomfortable corner especially if they have not yet achieved the goals they hoped to have accomplished by then. It also makes people think that the person asking is trying to figure out if the age matches their appearance. We all know how people feel about their looks. Here's something more to read about age: Is age really just a number?

• How much do you earn? Another element to which society attaches success are the digits on one's paycheck. This makes people skeptic about telling how much they make, fearing that it will be used to judge how successful they are, what they can or should afford or what lifestyle they should lead. Well, we should know that you can have your bank account overflowing but still work for money instead of money working for you.

• How much do you weigh? Some people feel like this is the same as asking, how healthy are you or how much self control you have over food. This is not necessarily true because so many factors like genetics and other health conditions determine an individuals weight. I am heavy boned, I weigh much more than I appear.

• What's your religion? If any. And are you practicing it? Those are the other questions expected to come after. No one wants to be questioned about their spirituality which is usually linked to their morality. Then give them the side eye if they are doing something out of the 'rules'. Some topics are best left alone.

• Where did you meet your partner? Now this one continuously surprises me. Many people are shy about telling where their love story began. I thought this was always a fun thing to talk about. Actually the more awkward the more fun, no? Well, not for everyone. They are afraid that you will doubt their partners or relationships if they met in a strip club? Or you will think they were desperate if they met at a match makers club? Does it even matter if the relationship is working fine?

• When are you getting married? Single people, mostly women hate this question. It feels like putting pressure on them to find someone or make a rush decision if they are already in a relationship, especially when it comes from family who are waiting to get their best dresses on for the big do and maybe some grandchildren for the parents. From a stranger, it's simply intrusion, how this your business?

Now these are the common things people don't like to be asked about but you will be surprised at some other 'tiny', 'little' questions someone out there will find offensive. Too bad you can't tell how your question is going to be received until it's already out but you can use a little common sense to weigh it out before you create a really uncomfortable atmosphere for you and the other person.

Have you asked someone something that clearly made them feel uneasy? Do share.
What are some of those questions you find offensive? Share some of the questions you have been asked that put you in an awkward position. You could also say why, this should be fun.

Happy Easter Holidays.

LT