Why is it rude to ask an adult's age?

Question

It has always been rude to ask someone's age. People should be proud that they are older and wiser. Why is it rude?

Answer 1

Bcause I'm so old i forgot my last birthday and i do not want you to watch me do the math so i can remember

Answer 2

We are older but not always wiser.  And being old is no longer a good thing, no longer honored and respected and deferred to.  An old person is treated as if you have some sort of contagious disease that you personally are not doing anything to cure.  So admitting how old you are isn't always pleasant (try "god, I didn't know you were that OLD!!!") and generally doesn't get you much.  I believe that you do have the right to ask a person's age, but in turn that person has just as much right to refuse to tell you (for whatever reason).

Answer 3

It's one thing to be "older and wiser".  It's another thing to reveal personal information, like the exact year of your birth.  When people are asked for such detailed (and unimportant) information, it makes them feel like they are under a microscope.  If you want to show respect for an older person's wisdom, ask for their advice, not their age.

Answer 4

Some people are insecure about their age. They associate turning 30 with turning 80, and start to think that they're all washed up. Me, I don't care.

Answer 5

It falls under the category of personal information if the person does not know you well.  Strangers should not ask someone's age, income, address, phone number, place of birth, weight, number of siblings, etc.  

Answer 6

First of all, why is it important to you to know an adult's age?  I personally think it's silly when people ask an adults age.  I can understand adolescents or little kids doing it to establish common ground perhaps, but otherwise, it's just not relevant once you're past 21. I don't like being asked my age, not because I'm ashamed, but because I don't like being piegon-holed and assumptions being made about me on account of my age.  I'm a person, not an age.  Some people like to use it against you as score keeping, or some people are just obsessed with it, for whatever reason.  Also, many adults are discriminated against based on their age, especially if you're over 40.  And if you look younger, you may invite envy and all kinds of stupid reactions, so it's better to keep the exact knowledge to yourself.  Unfortunately this is a  youth-focused society that puts it in people's heads that once you're past a certain age, you're no longer relevant. When you're older, you will get it.

Answer 7

  Everyone is different and I find it flattering when young people ask because I will be 45 next month and I am not ashamed.  Most people are surprised when I tell them because I actually look younger. My son is 24 and people sometimes ask if we are brother and sister!  I am flattered to give advice to young people because I don't want them to make the same mistakes I made in my past.

Answer 8

It has always been that way.  Is it because it was legal to discriminate by age in the old days; so you never wanted to call attention to it. /

Answer 9

adults are usually ashamed of thier age they feel that being older means they are destined to be in a retirement home anytime soon they don't see the true beauty of being wiser and older and its very ignorant if u ask me because i mean if u ask someone who is elderly what their age is they wont hesitate to tell u and they will do so very proudly but i guess its just a selfconcious problem adults have if u ask me.

Answer 10

my feelings are this!  

what does it matter what age you are if your over 25 age is a number it does not say your wiser it just say s your older!

why i find it rude is because it's not really going to harm or help you in your life so why should you ask!

Answer 11

dear madame:

the answer is  the same reason people buy creams and powders and all that other nonsense, the feeling of insecurity and unattractiveness and adding to that: because it is much too personal.

Answer 12

b/c they are older and embarrassed. Also, it's a sign of respect.

Answer 13

I would say that a lot of adults would like to attempt to lie to themselves concerning their own mortality and the effect aging might have on them mentally or physical.  Asking them their age forces them to at the very least consider the fact of exactly how old they are.

Answer 14

This is just an old tradition handed down from one generation to the next.  It used to be rude to ask a 'lady' her age.  If a woman reached 25 and was not married she was considered a spinster so it was bad manners to ask and risk embarrassing a lady that may be 'over the hill' but in this day and age I don't see a problem with asking someone's age and I don't get offended when asked.

Answer 15

Not everyone feels as old as they are,...plus the reminder of our own mortality is a bummer.

Answer 16

after a certian age some are embarrased...especially if they look it or worse, look older than it!!

Answer 17

i do not find it rude.i guess the older people get the more embarrassed they are about age(especially in mid range).i don't i look at it this way I've survived this long will you.