Why is it considered rude in America to ask a female's age?

Question

I need to know how this tradition started. Anyone up for some research?

Thanks, everyone who took me seriously. I just told someone it's rude to ask a woman's age, but I didn't have any reasons to back it up...guess I never asked why, I just don't ask them!

Answer 1

G'day Kelsey H,

Thanks for your question.

I think that the general reason is that if she wanted you to know her age, she would have told you.

User Heartodarkness asked the question here.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060929063747AAzbrU9

I haven't been able to find out much about how the tradition started. However, given that the use of cosmetics is dated back to 4000 BC, I suspect that it is a tradition of long standing for a woman to want to appear younger and not just in America. Certainly, in Australia the same rule applies.

Regards

Answer 2

People of a certain age are very sensitive of their age. Personally, I am not, but then I am in my 30s and I still get carded. Just ask someone their age and they will tell you to guess...if you guess high you can see their blood pressure go up. There is a lady who I work w/ who I thought was about 10 years older than she is.

Answer 3

I have no idea why, however, i do not find the question rude, but a compliment, However, people are always surprised when i tell them my real age. God has been good to me with good genes, Usually, people guess me to be at least 8-10years younger. It makes me smile. But that is a very good question, I wonder where it did begin and why. Good luck on your search.

Answer 4

I don't think research is really necessary. In current American culture, there is a large fascination with youth. If you look all over the advertising, ads appeal to women's desire to look younger. Asking a woman's age, then, might force her to reveal that she's old (whatever she deems that to be) and therefore threatens her face.

Answer 5

It's because our society places such a premium on youth. Unfortunately there is a perception that once a woman is over 30 she is not beautiful or worth as much, on some level. When your years can be perceived as shameful you don't want to reveal them, so you don't want people to ask.

Answer 6

My guess it that asking about someone's age makes people feel old. Since many people(especially women) equate being old with being ugly and/or useless, that is why this practice is frowned upon.

Answer 7

cuz every woman hates to grow old, she can see the effect of every year o her face! wrinkles and stuff
so when someone asks a woman how old is she , the first thing she thinks about is the wrinkles on her face.. she thinks ( oh my god my wrinkles show!!) and she gets upset
that's y its not appropriate in the whole world to ask a woman how old she is

Answer 8

It's our screwed up society, where if you're over 30 you're considered used up! No one should be ashamed of their age, but instead should be proud of it ! All this crap most likely started in Hollywood. Americans are so gullible it's pathetic. If I'm ever financially able, I'm moving to Europe where women are appreciated!

Answer 9

ok, so I see what your saying and that i comprehend it. regrettably those issues take place. To me, (i'm in simple terms assuming) it variety of feels like she is having conflicts with herself. She likes you, yet she's a Muslim. And this reasons problems in her suggestions. by way of fact a- Muslims do not (shouldn't) date. b- Muslim females do not (shouldn't) marry outdoors of Islam, c- She's in actuality relationship a married guy, (you at the instant are not divorced yet). and that i'm useful there are extra she will arise with. (the only reason I say shouldn't, is using the fact many human beings try this in any case, yet don't get me incorrect, its forbidden.) So, in case you extremely love her, i think of you should help her replace right into a extra perfect Muslim. each and every so often you should bypass away what you like. yet i anticipate you will not, so my advise is help her replace right into a enhanced Muslim. Islam ought to be her international. it might define who/what she is. Thats the way we, Muslims, are. Or a minimum of ought to be. and that i anticipate she would be in a position to not say she loves you, by way of fact in her suggestions she imagines that sometime yall gets married, islamically, on the grounds which you will replace right into a Muslim sometime and then it could make each and every thing genuine, (by way of fact, actuality be counseled, each and every thing is inaccurate genuine now). i anticipate thats whats in her suggestions, (the only reason i anticipate this form, is becuase i'm putting myself in her shoes, and it is what i could anticipate, (plus been there completed that, properly the imagining section, not something you stated)) in any case, i think of/understand, you should help her replace right into a extra perfect Muslim. If she would not positioned on hijab, motivate her to positioned on hijab, if she would not pray 5 situations an afternoon, motivate her to try this etc. the explanation being, in case you motivate her to be extra perfect, it is going to convenience her extra. it is going to eliminate a number of her rigidity. in any case, thats what i think of.

Answer 10

I dont know how it started or why, but Ive always been proud to tell ppl how old I am, and theyre always suprised.

Some women are offended tho.