Do you think this is rude?

Question

If you are married, do you think it is rude if someone asks what your spouse does for a living? Or is it just a common question. Sometimes I am curious, but I don't want to ask, b/c in a sense you are measuring their net worth. I don't know. But perhaps you guys could help me out.

Answer 1

It is just a common question. What is rude is if when you give the answer, people make a face or say something mean indicating they do not think your spouse's job is significant.

Answer 2

I typical don't consider it rude because I view my spouse as an extension of myself. By someone asking, I feel that they are showing interest in me and my life (my family being my life). I myself typically use this question when I making small talk with someone I just met that I will probably be running into frequently, such as another parent of one of my children's friend. If someone doesn't want to reveal their net worth they can say something generic without giving much detail. For example instead of saying their spouse is a bank president, they can simply say their spouse is in banking.

Answer 3

I live in Wales, UK and unlike what many people would think about us we are not as prim and proper as we are made out to be in american films and we don't all talk with that accent! in fact i've yet to meet an English person who speaks like that!

It's just curiosity thats all. all it is, is a general question to get to know someone.

it may be considered rude if you ask a woman what her husbands job is because she may think that you regard her income as useless or may think it's sexist because she may think that you regard her less than her husband as she is a woman and that she doesn't work because of this.

Overall I don't really see it as insulting because whatever they do theres no sure fire way of working out someones outcome just from what they tell you. eg, I work in an office but there are loads of people here on differing salaries doing similar things and the difference between many is large.

Dont worry about it! just ask away!

Answer 4

It is not rude. It is simply a conversation piece. Of course there are those out there that feel what they have or do is superior. But if you are a down to earth person I doubt anyone would be offended. Consider what the person is like before asking such a question.

Answer 5

I don't see why it would be considered rude. The person asking is just interested in you and your life. People are so oversensitive sometimes. It would be different if they asked how much $$ you or your spouse makes. That's over the line.

Answer 6

No certainly not, Its just a question a common the has evolved into our conversations, just like not asking women how old they are, Its like saying its out outside when you get outside, but you know its 90 degrees before you go outside!Don't sweat it, because you can always answer it anyway you want to, truefully or playfully, if u know what I mean?

Answer 7

personally i do think that is a rude question to ask some one. if you are getting to know someone (making a new friend) the topic of spouses occupation/salary will eventually come up. don't make yourself to pressed about that information.

Answer 8

If they are trying to gauge your net worth, it's rude. If they're asking as a point of interest, it's not.

Answer 9

I think it all depends on the conversation. What social situation are you in? If you are just outright asking the question, then, yes, it may be a little rude.

Answer 10

I think it might just be a part of random conversation like talking about the weather. Then, again, some folks are just plain nosy and want to do a mental evaluation.