Inappropriate questions to ask strangers...

[ForteKitty]

As i walked into the gym's dressing room at 9AM, this lady turns to me and says, "OMG do you think i'm fat? I think i look SO fat!"

Um...how do i answer that? I'm not a good liar, and she really didn't look good in that particular tight black dress w/ mesh covering huge cutout triangular sides, and 6 inch gold platforms. She's maybe chubby, at most, and I can easily see a gut, some rolls, and lumps under her butt. The dress was THAT tight. This is the first time I've been to that gym, it's not in my neighborhood and i only stopped there because my dog was at the groomers and i had some time to kill, and i've definitely never seen her before.

So I mumbled something about how she's not fat, and she continues w/ "oh are you sure you're not lying to me? you're lying to me! i think i look so fat." I repeated myself and got the heck out of there.


What inappropriate questions have you heard from complete strangers?

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

When I was 16/17 years old, I was very skinny, but started gaining a bit of weight in my midsection. (I'm now 22 and not skinny anymore and my extra pounds are still mostly in my midsection!)

There were a few times that random people asked me if I was pregnant.

Not appropriate.

 

[Callisto]

Haha what a ridiculous woman. Recently I was checking out at walmart with a ton of candy for some games at our annual block party and a pregnancy test. I was 99% sure I wasn't pregnant, but I had recently gotten on a new form of contraception and wasn't sure what to expect period wise and hadn't had mine for longer than usual so I took a test to ease my mind (sorry if that's TMI). So I started chatting with the cashier about the candy and how my mom had roped me into making these games and how I had to count all this candy as I put them in jars and other various friendly conversation. She gets to the end and says "Not to be nosy, but are you hoping you're pregnant?" in kind of an excited tone. I tried to explain the situation but in the few seconds I had as I finished paying it just got jumbled and confusing.

I'm VERY open about my health and my body and really don't find many topics taboo, but all I could think was how badly that question could have gone if asked to someone less open. She could have gotten seriously reemed for that!

 

[Haven]

Inappropriate questions I've recently been asked by relative strangers:

"Are you trying to have a baby right now? Because you know, it isn't going to get any easier for you guys since you're already older than the norm."

"Look at the size of that rock! What does your husband do?" (This woman then went on to say "I told my man that if it was so big it'd hurt coming out the other end if I accidentally swallowed it, I don't want it." GROSS. That was TMI. And, who worries about that? She actually made me feel sick to my stomach.)

"Do you get collagen injections in your lips?" (Me: "No.") "Are you sure? Because your top lip is really big too, and that's not natural. (Me: "It was nice to meet you. ")

 

[Nashville]

I'm rather top heavy and get asked if I have implants all the time.

I don't know why people think that's an ok thing to ask a stranger, but there it is.

 

[Arkteia]

People who are total strangers ask me if I have kids. While I find nothing wrong with this question, I wonder why they are asking it.

Another question (not totally inappropriate, since we had our second child at 42) - "is this your grandson"? I take this question with a good measure of humor (he could be my grandchild, after all), but when my 7-year old chirps, "it is my mom", and these people start apologizing!

I gained a lot of weight and my wedding ring does not fit any longer, so I am not wearing it (in avague hope that I may loose weight again). Strangers or semi-strangers ask me if I am married and why then I am not wearing my wedding ring.

Another weird question (asked when I was 20 by a guy who was walking behind me). Apparently he was observing me for a while, then came closer, said that he was a sculptor and asked if I would agree to be his model. (I was so insulted at that time! Now I would frist negotiate the price, just for my own fun, and then say no! I guess years have changed my sense of humor. Maybe it is my profession).

Another weird request (by a beach neighbor - we really exchanged a couple of words). "May I read your sole?" Not palm - some people are into it - but sole? My husband was ten feet away, buying ice-cream.

A commentary (by my ex-boss). "What does your husband do?" When I said that my husband was a physicist, came a comment, "strange, he looks and behaves totally normally...is social". (There was also a third person participating in our conversation). Granted, there are some unusual people met among scientists, but normal people can be successful scientists, too! I guess my boss also had weird sense of humor...

This being said, places like gyms, saunas, hot youga clubs, common fitting rooms at bargain stores and even restrooms tend to instill some feelings of sisterhood so some questions that may be totally off somewhere else sound more appropriate there.

 

[MissMina]

Are my breasts real
Is my BF my son
Is my son my grandson

 

[Imdanny]

They were about sex and I think I'll leave it at that.

 

[that_someone_special]

During my BRIDAL shower- someone asked if I was going to "nurse" in front of like 15 people. I do not have children, I am not pregnant and we did not talk about that at all....

 

[DivaDiamond007]

My hair is naturally platinum blonde and strangers ask me all the time if it's real and then will reach out to touch or pull it to check I hate it when people touch my hair for that very reason so I've mastered the dodge away from their hand/fingers. I understand people wanting to know since it's not often you find a real blonde, but to have the gall to reach out and touch it! GAH!

 

[jstarfireb]

These are priceless!

I haven't had too many experiences like this. The closest thing is when people see me wearing scrubs on the way to work and start asking for medical advice, like on the bus or something. Not exactly the right place for that...

 

[Dancing Fire]

Are my breasts real
Is my BF my son
Is my son my grandson

are they??

 

[MissMina]

My Dear DF
You made me spew Crystal Light on my keyboard.

 

[oddoneout]

I used to get the "are you pregnant?" comment a bit. Thankfully not anymore.

 

[ForteKitty]

Now that i think about it, i think she was fishing for compliments. If she was so concerned about her weight, why would she wear a tight sheer dress?!?

Lucky i'm not mean, otherwise i woulda suggested she use the stairclimber a lil more.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Now that i think about it, i think she was fishing for compliments. If she was so concerned about her weight, why would she wear a tight sheer dress?!?

Lucky i'm not mean, otherwise i woulda suggested she use the stairclimber a lil more.

FK
you should of asked her...don't you wish for a figure like mine?

 

[redfaerythinker]

I'm a redhead so I get the "Is that your natural hair color, natural curl etc" and then when they find out it is, they want to touch it. I even had one woman ask to kiss me. But the most awkward question I've gotten, and quite a few men have asked this one, is "Does the carpet match the drapes?" I mean how inappropriate is that?! Apparently redheads get that question a lot.

 

[MissMina]

Yep my mom's a natural redhead and I'm a blond
and it's unfortunately a frequent question..
For a long time I didn't know what they meant.
After I found out I just played dumb.

 

[ForteKitty]

But the most awkward question I've gotten, and quite a few men have asked this one, is "Does the carpet match the drapes?" I mean how inappropriate is that?! Apparently redheads get that question a lot.

"Uh hello, nobody has carpet anymore. Hardwood floor only."

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Hee! Regading the carpet question, I always say "I can't remember because dirty rats keep eating all the fibers."

 

[ForteKitty]

OMFG.... ahahahahaaaa

 

[Dancing Fire]

I'm a redhead so I get the "Is that your natural hair color, natural curl etc" and then when they find out it is, they want to touch it. I even had one woman ask to kiss me. But the most awkward question I've gotten, and quite a few men have asked this one, is "Does the carpet match the drapes?" I mean how inappropriate is that?! Apparently redheads get that question a lot.

from guys??

 

[Jennifer W]

I'm a redhead so I get the "Is that your natural hair color, natural curl etc" and then when they find out it is, they want to touch it. I even had one woman ask to kiss me. But the most awkward question I've gotten, and quite a few men have asked this one, is "Does the carpet match the drapes?" I mean how inappropriate is that?! Apparently redheads get that question a lot.

Hahahahahaha! I'm a red head too. No one has ever asked me that. Maybe I look fierce?

When I told people at work that I was pregnant, someone asked me if I wasn't maybe a little old to be starting a family. I liked that one!

One of my closest friends from childhood is Muslim. At my wedding reception, DH's friend's wife asked her if her own forthcoming wedding would be like a "proper, normal wedding."

 

[BoulderGal]

But the most awkward question I've gotten, and quite a few men have asked this one, is "Does the carpet match the drapes?" I mean how inappropriate is that?! Apparently redheads get that question a lot.

"Uh hello, nobody has carpet anymore. Hardwood floor only."

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!

I'm top heavy and short, so I've been asked if I've had implants. I replied, "why would I want to look like this on purpose??"

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

But the most awkward question I've gotten, and quite a few men have asked this one, is "Does the carpet match the drapes?" I mean how inappropriate is that?! Apparently redheads get that question a lot.

"Uh hello, nobody has carpet anymore. Hardwood floor only."

hahahaha love it!!!!

 

[starryeyed]

Pardon me for changing the subject slightly, but it really bothers me when someone, with whom I haven't spoken for even 30 seconds, asks what I do for a living. It's even more upsetting when someone automatically asks what my HUSBAND does, assuming I'm a kept woman.

It's like that person is anxious to figure out how much money you make, if s/he can get a job, and in what pigeon-hole you belong. I usually walk away.

 

[Trekkie]

Hee! Regading the carpet question, I always say "I can't remember because dirty rats keep eating all the fibers."

Love this answer! You have a very naughty sense of humour, Madam Bijoux!

I usually get asked "are those real?!" with the inevitable pointing at my breasts or my 5 stone promise ring.

Reading this thread has given me a few awesome responses!

 

[VRBeauty]

Pardon me for changing the subject slightly, but it really bothers me when someone, with whom I haven't spoken for even 30 seconds, asks what I do for a living. It's even more upsetting when someone automatically asks what my HUSBAND does, assuming I'm a kept woman.

It's like that person is anxious to figure out how much money you make, if s/he can get a job, and in what pigeon-hole you belong. I usually walk away.

Uhm... maybe they're just trying to make conversation?

 

[starryeyed]

Pardon me for changing the subject slightly, but it really bothers me when someone, with whom I haven't spoken for even 30 seconds, asks what I do for a living. It's even more upsetting when someone automatically asks what my HUSBAND does, assuming I'm a kept woman.

It's like that person is anxious to figure out how much money you make, if s/he can get a job, and in what pigeon-hole you belong. I usually walk away.

Uhm... maybe they're just trying to make conversation?

When it comes to conversation, there is a heck of a lot more to talk before getting personal - the weather, movies, current events, etc. I find it really annoying. The art of conversation is really a lost one. Ok, fine if you're at a conference or some business-related event that's fine, but to be at a party or sporting event and have some stranger ask as a way to start conversation is just a total turn-off to me.

What if someone were just laid off, what if s/he had a really bad day at work and just want to relax, what if s/he hated her job, what if s/he doesn't work? These are all really personal issues that are not the business of some stranger with an inability to converse.

It's like the person who says in passing, "hi ( ), how are you?" That person probably doesn't give a hoot how you are, it's just something to say. I don't even answer "fine, and you?" anymore. I just say good morning or hello or good afternoon.