Is It Rude to Ask Someone Their Age? Maybe, But It Shouldn’t Be
Monday, May 4, 2026
age
aging
women
journalism
culture
misogyny
identity
time
society
stereotypes
The old saying that a lady never reveals her age still lingers in our cultural memory. It suggests women should remain mysterious: Are they 22 or 40? The idea being a lady should always keep you guessing. While that notion has fallen out of common use, the sentiment behind it quietly persists.
As a reporter, asking someone their age often presents an unexpected challenge. Men generally take it in stride—sometimes with a joke, sometimes with playful forgetfulness.