Asking women their age...

Exactly...she is a real sport...others might have hurt.

I'm always touched by this episode, though I wonder if it was all staged.

@vandana7 I don't mind anyone asking me my age. She was a real sport about the whole thing. And that voice - WOW!

That is an understatement.....so beautiful voice and so well practiced smooth all around...no breaking anywhere...even at such octave..loved it..while I do not understand all your music, the range and the beautiful execution ..marvelous. I agree ...in this case, somehow I felt it was not relevant to ask. It is one thing to ask it for any college admission or hospital admission, and entirely another thing to ask it because you have nothing else to talk or you want to hint that she is too old for that competition. I did not like it...she seemed like a simple lady.

@rebelann .. No no..I am bad in expressing myself. I love her voice...really really love her voice. Her singing too. I agreed upon that sensitiveness when people ask about age. When we know that somebody or some people are sensitive about that issue, why should we go ahead and do it, especially if it is not relevant. That is what I meant. In this case, I think the attempt was to slyly hint at her..aren't you too old to be competing for this? That is annoying!!!

I am confused @vandana7 you think she has a beautiful voice but you did not like it?? I think I misunderstood something.

This one was done with no specific purpose..only to initiate a conversation. He could have been gentle, instead of being nasty. They do get audition tapes to listen to. So he would have known she is a good singer.

@LadyDuck .. A gentlemanly way would be ..Hey I heard your voice on those audition tapes, for a 40 plus lady, you sing exceedingly well.

@vandana7 I have noticed that during TV Shows of this kind the age is always asked and this makes sense, the public must know more or less the age of those who participate. A question like this during a normal conversation would have been rude. Those who go to those shows know that this is a question to which they must answer.

Honestly, neither women, nor men like to be told they are old, while children do like to be treated as adults. That said asking a woman's age is not an objectionable thing depending upon the context. Why would you want to ask a woman her age unless it is relevant, right? How it is worded also matters. Here, there was absolutely no reason for him to ask her age. It seemed as if wanted to tell her, aren't you too old to be competing here? Even that can be said in a flattering way (which you have mastered). I would say, I heard your tapes, and was shocked that a lady on the wrong side of forties could sing so well. He would have told the audience, there is no age bar for singing, and he would have made her feel good about that compliment. But she was a sport...that saved the otherwise could have been sad situation.

@antonbunot . You said it..."if it is necessary"...here it did not seem necessary to me. And when we know that something is not liked by another person, why should we do it?

@vandana7 My wife also does not like to be asked about her age. . . (especially, she is 3 years older than me! ). I also met another woman who said "guess!" when I asked how old she was. I knew she was in her 50's. . . I replied - " You look 30 years old!" She said I was kidding. I said No, I am not. You look 30 years old! There are women who look much younger than their actual age. I believe it is not a bad thing to ask a woman's age if it is necessary.

I for one did not like him asking her age. But she was such an unassuming sport ..I could have given her a hug..how could he...I felt so bad.

@TheHorse .. Isn't that sort of bratty behavior of a successful person a bad example ...

@vandana7 All planned out, probably.

I thought it was irrelevant, and in this case, it was kind of deliberate attempt to highlight ..sort of aren't you too old to be here.

@DesirousDreamer .. Somebody needs to put him in his place. I would definitely say, I am too young to be dating you so would you mind...

@vandana7 Well we all know that Simon is just a troll anyway haha

I feel most women are fine if they are asked their age, provided it is needed in the context. Sometimes, it is done to be nasty.

Sometimes, I am glad I do not follow your accent. If you say he is mean, then I am glad I don't focus on him, but singing. That lady has a wonderful, wonderful, voice and sings so well...

@vandana7 Yes the woman is a beautiful singer. And yes, I do not like Simon.

Especially in this case. It was simply not right.

@vandana7 It was not right.

Absolutely. Loved her. For singing, her voice, and her nature...everything.

@vandana7

Women generally like to look young and I suppose this can be issue with spinsters...because age is a reminder ...life has passed you by or something.

Me too...but it depends upon when it is asked and for what. In this case, it sounded like he was trying to say aren't you too old for this competition, that was annoying. Luckily, she was a sport, and has exceptional voice and singing ability to put him in his place.

@vandana7 yes, she knew how he would be and was determined to ignore his rudeness to show the world how talented she is. He was left looking like an idiot.

I guess we all have some advantage. I do look my age but my neighbor treats me like a kid. She is barely 7 years or so older than me. lol