Have you ever experienced that awkward moment when you’ve been asked a question that’s just way too personal or just downright rude? We’ve all been there. If you’re hoping not to put someone on the spot like this, here are some rude questions you should definitely avoid asking them.
Relationship Status
Curiosity about someone’s love life or pestering questions about tying the knot can quickly end a conversation, so it’s best avoided. Relationships are personal, and questions surrounding them should be kept at a minimum or avoided altogether unless you know the person well and know they’re comfortable with it.
Finances
Forbes lays out how discussing money is almost always awkward; there’s just something rude and invasive about asking how much someone earns! If you really want to discuss finances with someone, ask them first if they’re comfortable with the conversation before continuing.
Religion & Beliefs
Discussions about religious views can get seriously heated, and questioning someone about their faith almost always leads to conflict. It’s fine to ask curious questions but leave the sarcastic and negative queries at home. After all, everyone is entitled to their own belief system!
Age
The rule of thumb has always been never to ask someone’s age, especially a woman! This doesn’t mean you should guess someone’s age based on their appearance; that’s even more disrespectful! Age is just a number, so skip out on this nosy question!
Weight
Much like age, weight is a well-known sensitive subject, so asking someone how much they weigh is a terrible idea. Unlike most questions on this list, there is almost no scenario where this might be considered appropriate unless you are a personal trainer!
Ethnicity & Race
CNN details how “race wars have been documented since before the 1920s”, and this isn’t going away any time soon. This is precisely why probing questions about race, such as “Where are you really from?” and assuming someone’s race is offensive. Why does it matter anyway? We’re all humans!
Personal Health
Prying into someone’s medical conditions or fertility issues can make anyone feel uneasy. Respecting people’s privacy surrounding this topic is something to be mindful of and avoided as a topic of discussion; if someone wants to talk to you about their health, they will bring it up.
Family Dynamics
Unfortunately, not everyone has a happy family life; some may have never known their parents, lost their relationship with their siblings, or generally have a problematic relationship with their family. This is why it’s best to avoid questions around this topic, especially if your family life is all sunshine and roses.
Legal Issues
Pressuring someone to disclose legal issues or probe their legal record is always a terrible idea! Someone’s fear of judgment can make this a highly uncomfortable subject, and worse still, you could unknowingly prompt them to share confidential information.
Politics
Pushing for someone to reveal their political stance and pressuring them to reveal who they vote for can be a recipe for disaster. The Telegraph discusses how political conversations, especially with your family, can be awkward, so it’s best to leave politics at the door.
Gossip
Fishing for gossip and asking intrusive questions based on rumors can be a major conversation trap. This nosy behavior can ruin relationships and breed a lack of trust because it will tell the person that you cannot be trusted and that you’ll be happy to spread gossip about them behind their back.
Lifestyle Choices
Posing questions about someone’s lifestyle choices may seem innocent, but in reality, it can be pretty invasive. It’s fine to talk about this if the topic arises, but if someone goes quiet after you share your own choices, maybe it’s time to change the subject!
Education
No two educational journeys are alike, so questioning someone on their academic background can come across as snobby, competitive, or dismissive. Some people may have had to settle for the cheapest education options due to financial struggles, and it’s not fair to force them to reveal this to you.
Sexuality
Sexuality is another one of those topics that you just don’t need to be asking people! It’s a sensitive topic, so you’ll likely only cause upset if you ask someone. The only reason you need to know this information is if you are dating, by which point you are probably already aware of it!
Physical Appearance
Everybody gets insecure occasionally, so questions about someone’s looks, such as “What’s that mark on your arm?” or “Have you ever considered plastic surgery?” are straight-up inconsiderate. Once again, this is none of your business, so keep these thoughts to yourself!
Living Situation
Time Magazine claims there is an “evident affordable housing crisis,” so it’s probably best not to ask someone about their living arrangements. Not only is it rude and invasive, but they may be struggling, so asking them about this will only lead to feelings of shame and crossed boundaries.
Personal Trauma
Reopening old scars by asking people questions about their past traumas is, unsurprisingly, an awful idea. Even if you think the subject matter is interesting, you could unknowingly trigger someone, so the only thing you will cause with questions like this is upset.
Citizenship
Last but not least, it’s best to avoid asking questions about someone’s citizenship. Asking someone something like “What is your immigration status?” or “Are you here legally?” can lead to trouble if taken the wrong way. Be tactful; these questions can cause discomfort and breed prejudice, and it’s just none of your business!
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