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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.