Be up-front to ask personal question???
By Michaelyou
@Michaelyou (182)
China
April 23, 2010 6:10am CST
When traveling abroad, do you wonder which questions are too personal or inappropriate to ask?
Some Americans have told me that the question "Are you married"? sounds rude because it's too direct. If the woman uses "Ms". when introducing herself,it's impossible to know if she is single or married. What is a polite way to ask for this information?
Thanks for your response!
3 responses
@syankee525 (6249)
• United States
23 Apr 10
i dont think its rude to ask, since some people dont wear wedding rings.
and if a lady use ms look at her ring finger and see if there is a ring
@Michaelyou (182)
• China
24 Apr 10
hi guy,
I got! Different people have diffrent opinions. I remember my teacher, an American guy, told me that he was ok with all the usual American taboo topics, but others wasn't. Well, when traveling and doing business, maybe more things should be considered.
Thanks man!
@piya84 (2580)
• India
23 Apr 10
Hello
As a traveler why on the earth you want to know these personal detail but.Many people dont want reveal their personal details to whom they dont know much.Its obvious for security reasons and for women living alone.
so better dont ask .Just be polite and nice and they may reveal those things to you when they know you are ok person to reveal these things.
@Michaelyou (182)
• China
24 Apr 10
*Hi,
Well, if you don't think it's rude to ask you that you're female, thus your response on this discussion is really reasonable.
I am learning some courses, doing business with cross culture, so I wana dig what it is in the real world.
Thank you for your response!
@knicnax (2232)
• Philippines
3 May 10
I don't think that asking someone if he/she's married or not is not rude. Is marriage something to be ashamed about? Is the fact of being married or your civil status a very private matter that you'd be ashamed if people found out that you're married? I don't think so.
Being rude entails doing an act that is improper like asking questions about taboo stuff. but being married is not taboo. Shouldn't you be proud that you are married, that out of all the people of the world you found someone whom you'll spend the rest of your life with. Shouldn't you be proud that despite your imperfections, bad qualities and traits, a person still chose to love you and stay with you until they die? Shouldn't you be proud that you are capable of great love because despite how bad your partner is, you are still willing to love him/her til you die?
So why would it be rude to ask about such a happy event(?) in a person's life?
