安德烈 (Andrea)
مدرّس
Women don't want to tell their age?
Hi,

at least in western culture, it is a well known fact that women don't wish to tell their age. This was particularly true in the past, and for women over 40, who tried to appear younger and it was extremely rude to ask about their age. But what about nowadays? It is still so and everywhere? I'm interested in knowing especially (but not only) the opinion of young women:

1) do you try to hide your age when it's not strictly necessary to say it?
2) do you consider rude if someone that you just met, in a conversation, ask about your age?
3) and then, it would be interesting to know about this in all other different cultures, to see if it is the same, or if there are some differences in this aspect.
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التعليقات · 12
4
Why are women always put in focus?
How old are you?
-I am young enough to have wisdom, old enough to have enthusiasm.
Yes, the age defines a lot but I don’t ask about the age of anyone.
I am more interested in your mind and your way of thinking than in your age.
In my community no one can hide their age and if you meet someone for the first time, they won’t let you leave without knowing every single detail about you so how about your age.lol
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4
Age tells a lot about you. It brings more judgement. When someone tells their age, it kinda of tells the other person where they probably should be at that age in regards to relationship status, job, education etc.
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3
As Gray said, it's considered rude to ask a woman's age in the United States too.

1. No, I don't try to hide my age, but I don't announce it to everyone, either. I do sometimes joke about "being old."

Sometimes I make jokes about my grey hair - I like my picture with my grey parrot because he's the only one in our house greyer than I am! Sometimes I make jokes about being forgetful. Wait a minute, what are we talking about...?

In most circumstances, it isn't necessary for people to know my EXACT age. Does the person really need to know whether I'm 39 or 44 or 50? Sometimes even I forget. Forty-three? Forty-four? They feel the same. It's not like the difference between 17 and 18.

2. It depends on the situation. Who is asking? Why are they asking? Do they ask to find commonality, to understand me better, or to have information to use against me?

A few times, I have encountered older American women who will ask younger women their age and then afterward, they "use" the information like this:

"Oh, of course you're able to play music. You're YOUNG, so it's easier for you."

"Oh, of course you're able to speak Spanish. You're YOUNG, so it's easier for you."

No, lady. I can play music, speak Spanish, etc. because I take lessons and practice. I have taken lessons and practiced for many years. My "youthful" age of 44 doesn't magically give me wonderful skills. Please don't dismiss my hard work.
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3
I think this implicit rule relates not only to women but to men as well.
As we can see not many of them show their age in their profiles and I used to be among them.
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3
It's still considered rude to ask a woman her age in the US, so I'm always very <em>surprised</em> if someone asks, but I don't actually mind. In fact, I have my age listed in my profile on Italki, because I think most of the creepy guys who try to use Italki as a dating site are less likely to send messages to someone they know is over 30 (I'm 36).

I think in general younger girls don't really mind if people know their age. I certainly didn't mind when I was younger.
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