My neighbor has kids that are about 8 and 10. I just found out they aren't married. I didn't know and may have referred to her fiance as husband. Is that offensive? How can I know?
2007-10-02 10:01:48 · 23 answers · asked by niffer 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
I'm sure they were not offended by it. It's something that they probably get all the time. My guess is that they would rather people assume that they are married than try to explain the situation and deal with the question of why they aren't married.
2007-10-02 10:05:31 · answer #1 · answered by just me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all. Not in today's society when the crime of cohabitation is rarely prosecuted. (If that were the case, 112% of (where I live) Ocala, FL would be sharing adjoining cells in the 'I Didn't Do It Wing' of the marion County Jail.) They are living as husband and wife. It's not your job to be 'politically correct' regarding this. It would be considered more offensive and bad form to ask if you were being offensive in this situation where one of the respective parties may be embarassed by being not married.
2007-10-02 17:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by maggieeld 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't. If they do not correct you, then they are presenting themselves as husband and wife. In Texas that makes them married under Common Law. In some other states, there is a time requirement - like living together for 6 months.
2007-10-02 17:06:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, that question cannot be answered for sure. I do not think you can ever know. And it would be a bit rude, to ask if she was offended or not. So, avoid calling things like "husband" and try using names. It seems polite and friendly rather than rude and offensive.
2007-10-02 17:06:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No...not offensive. It is really a shame that people are so over-sensitive and worried about offending others all the time. It would be offensive if you walked up to her and called her a dirty floozy or something.
Down with PC nonsense.
2007-10-02 17:06:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My baby daddy / husband / man / boyfriend / second income / fill in the blank have been together for 15 years. You can call him what ever you want. My nieces didn't know what to call him at first. That is when I came up the the whole second income thing. As long as they love each other they shouldn't really care.
2007-10-02 17:07:57 · answer #6 · answered by 1luv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think its offensive. How long have they lived there? Are you close to them? To be fair i probably would have done the same thing. They probably laughed it off. The only way i could think that they might find it offensive is are they strongly religious? If not i wouldnt worry!
2007-10-02 17:07:22 · answer #7 · answered by Laul0304 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How could you know. Just say sorry if I caused you to be uncomfortable next time you see them. I'm sure you're not the 1st to make that assumption.
Besides - if the b/f is living w/ her - then he does play a father role in the kid's life - like it or not.
2007-10-02 17:05:08 · answer #8 · answered by aa889d 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no its not offensive and dont worry you weren't to know. she is probably used to him being referred to as her husband and considering they have 2 kids and live together they are essentially a common law husband and wife, they just dont have the piece of paper stating so. dont worry about it !
2007-10-02 17:05:44 · answer #9 · answered by Caz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if they have kids together and have been living together for a while they pretty much are considered husband and wife. Just without the ceremony and legal papers.
2007-10-02 17:05:24 · answer #10 · answered by charnik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋