Do you hate when people ask you to guess....?
By Bethany1202
@Bethany1202 (3431)
United States
September 9, 2009 5:31pm CST
Do you hate it when the subject of age comes up and someone wants you to guess their age? I think it's often an uncomfortable situation.
Let's say your boss and you were talking and the subject of age came up. (Yes, I know certain things are not to be disclosed at work, but just play along hypothetically...) She wants you to guess her age. She looks like she might be in her late 40s to early 50s, but you don't want to offend her, so you say she looks early 40s, just to be nice but not ridiculous... Then she tells you she is 39 and gets offended.
Or let's say someone says they always get told they look young for their age and they want you to guess.... And they look like they are 70, so you say to them you think they are in their mid-60s, and they say, "Yes, I am 66; I guess I look my age..."
Many scenarios can play out this way. Sometimes people are upset, others are unaffected, and others are happy at the result of this question. Regardless, I personally don't like being asked this question. How about you?
4 people like this
29 responses
@UmiNoor (4483)
• Malaysia
9 Sep 09
I refuse to answer such questions for fear of offending the asker. I don't know why they want people to guess their age; to prove they look young for their age? And if they get the truth, they'll be offended. This is so irritating. I only play this game with celebrity's age like guess who's older, Keanu Reeves or Nicolas Cage?
2 people like this
@CynergyDiva (805)
• Canada
10 Sep 09
I used to be afraid of offending, so I would sum up in my head how old I thought they were, then take off 5 or 10 years because it was usually someone who looked their age or older fishing for a compliment.
One time I did that though and the person was actually a lot younger than what I said even after taking 10 years off. At that point, I decided to just be honest and if they didn't like it, tough. Now I tell people to be careful about asking questions they might not like the answer to.
xoxo
Cyne
@Bionicman (3958)
• Czech Republic
9 Sep 09
Sometimes can guessing make conversation more interesting. But it's annoying when someone tells you "guess" and you have no idea what to say.
But if you don't like to guess and someone that's like 40 years old asks you to guess, just say 70 and she'll never ask you "guess" again :D
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
9 Sep 09
hi bethany yep Ihate it to as its so hard to do and'so easy
to misjudge and make them angry at you. I also hate it when'friends
or relatives ask you if a certain dress or pants look good
or not on them. if you say what you think you usually get in'trouble.I hate it when someone asks me if a skirt or slacks makes them looks fat? if it does what are you supposed to say?
1 person likes this
@opalina143 (1240)
• Morristown, New Jersey
9 Sep 09
I hate being asked that question too. I never know what to say,and its not like you can answer it honestly anyway. Everyone says about five or six years less than the person really looks. And then its awful if you get it wrong by too many years in the wrong direction.
I try to avoid asking that question as well, no matter how tempting, because I won't get an honest answer anyway and it will just hurt my feelings, in all likelihood. But I would really hate to have a boss ask me that question especially. I think people who ask it are seeking compliments, which really isn't all that nice.
1 person likes this
@elenyae (388)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
I never guess, I just kinda laugh it off. Anyway, I try never to discuss the topic of age in public...there's really no point. People either get offended or...no, that's it really. People just get offended. The thing that irks me the most though is the people who ask you to guess who end up getting offended. If you don't want to risk being told you look heaps older than you do, DON'T ASK!! You're just asking to be offended.
@opalina143 (1240)
• Morristown, New Jersey
9 Sep 09
That's a good point. You are just asking to be offended by asking that. Or rather, you are fishing for a compliment but setting yourself up to get an insult. It's a pretty stupid thing to do. You are right just to laugh it off and not guess, because that may be the best thing to do. Of course, some people might get offended at your refusal, but that is just when they are difficult and there is nothing you can do to please them.
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
9 Sep 09
I never try to bring up age to anyone. And I hate when people try to make a game out of it. Thanks for the comments!
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
9 Sep 09
The only time I try to guess a person's age is when I'm at the fair and they might win a prize if I'm wrong. I guess people want to seem younger than they are, I like being 41, I suppose men get more distinguished as they get older and women are always trying to compare themselves to a magazine cover. What a shame, the next time someone asks you to guess their age go ten higher than you think, they will get offended and not ask anymore. BTW, how old are you. :)
@CynergyDiva (805)
• Canada
10 Sep 09
LOL Bethany you should have said, "how old do I look?" LOL
xoxo
Cyne
@EliteUser (3964)
• Australia
20 Sep 09
Hey,
Yea it kind of irritates me a little. But for some reason, also our Biology teacher makes us guess, and we have no idea what the answer is. When we yell out some random answers, he looks at us weird lol. Make sure you have a good day, God bless and Happy Lotting!!
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
10 Sep 09
Agree, I hate people ask me to guess either, I don't usually make a guess and I just don't guess at all and not say anything; if he / she wnats to tell, he / she would, if not, it is not a big deal.
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
10 Sep 09
I would absolutely hate it if someone asked me to guess their age because I don't want to offend them if I guess wrong and they are actually below that age. Good thing that scenario didn't come up with me. I have asked someone their age before but they quickly changed the subject. I was okay with that.
@underdogy (700)
• Thailand
10 Sep 09
I hate it really. They would like you to guess their age and then get offended if you guessed wrong? Doesn't make sense! If you don't want to be offended by others, then don't ask them to guess your age. However if you want a guessing game, then don't expect compliment always because one time or another, they will make a wrong guess.. Your discussion is very well received. Have a nice day!
@clarkbody (141)
• United States
10 Sep 09
Hate it. Please don't ask me that unless you're sure you can handle it. my mom taught me to never ask a question that you're not sure you want the answer to. I wouldn't reply. I would decline to guess respectfully.
@southernmostbird (11)
• United States
10 Sep 09
I can't stand people who do this, either. It's annoying and puts everyone in an uncomfortable spot. Whenever someone does this to me, I make a joke out of it. I say something like: "You can't be a day over 21" and try to make light of the situation.
@mohdehtesham (140)
• India
10 Sep 09
Many persons especially women dont like it when asked about their age and they show themselves less than they are age inspite they look old or mature by their face and i think old persons hate it too when asked about their , so its usually common to hide their real age and i dont hate it i am habituated to it that happens with me many times when asked about others and i tell them the truth and they get angry .
@Shery32 (423)
• Saudi Arabia
10 Sep 09
Hmmm, Sometimes it depends on the person asking but at all time I don't think it is nice to ask embarrassing questions to any one. Some people would ask you about your age like it is their right to know or something. I don't think it is nice to guess people's ages or wight LOL - If I'm asked I might just say "you tell me" better than ending up with an unhappy face
Thank you
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
10 Sep 09
I will say " I don't know " and why would i give a damn about her/his age. probably to stay safe, I'll just tell the person she's not old enough to be in the retirement home, but never guess the aged. It's probably their making joke or looking for something or some one to get mad too
...
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
10 Sep 09
I know what you mean. it's not easy when you're afraid of embarrassing or offending someone. Who wants to be made older or younger than they are. Once you put your foot in your mouth, it's hard to pry it back out. Guessing someone's age can sometimes make or break relationships.
