I also feel the same way about the “did you lose weight” comments, or similarly, “you look great!” comments. Makes me wonder whether people think I usually don’t look so great ;o)

Personally I never ask a woman when she is expecting or whether she is pregnant, unless she literally looks like she is about to give birth. I’ve had too many friends who have been asked whether they are pregnant, and in fact they were 6 months or so post-partum and were just starting to think they’re getting their body back. It’s just crushing… so I tread nowhere near that one! I’m always glad when a pregnant woman brings it up though so that I can exclaim “congratulations!!”
 
Thanks, Madeline. I agree with the pregnancy question. I never ask it, either-EVER!
 
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Since I am married with kids thank god i don’t get those stupid questions about boyfriends, engagements, marriage, kids etc etc but don’t you worry, there are many more silly questions out there.

I hate it when they ask your age. I frequently get asked that, and it’s not even seen as rude here. So when i say in my 30′s, they then go on to ask if I am a student…??

Other questions I don’t like are ones about your food choices or likes/ dislikes. If i dislike seafood, i DON’T want to eat it, be asked a thousand times in different ways have i tried x, y or z from place a, b, c in month m, n, o , p etc etc. ANd also when people ask what you ALREADY ate for lunch (after the fact). Who the hell cares!!!
 
Ha. Funny. I get asked if I am a student, too. I mean, do you SEE how old I am?
 

italians are really bad about commenting on weight, i agree with michelle. i’ve had the “ma ti sei messa qualche chilo?” comment a few times when i had actually lost TEN POUNDS–ten pounds when i was already at a healthy weight. whatever!
 
Absolutely… whatever. I think sometimes they just don’t know what to say! Mah!
 
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I once had a “friend” tell me that I needed to “quit being so selfish and have a baby” after seven years of marriage. Little did he know, I had undergone five years of infertility and have one perfect angel waiting for me in heaven. People say the dumbest things!

Hugs to you. I enjoyed reading about your exciting life. A vacation to Italy sounds amazing!
 
Hey, Laura. It is great to hear from you. Thank you for your condolences-isn’t it crazy what people will say?
 

Also agreeing with NYC/C gal…I *hate* the what do you do questions and also the “how much did you pay for that” questions as well. MYOB peeps!
 
Tell us how you really feel, Mich!
 
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I also get tired of the more subtle versions… I mention a male name (any male, in any context), and the first question — mostly from women at church — is “Is he married?” Come on. They don’t really care whether my colleague/friend/etc is married. They’re just probing to see if they can find anyone who *might* be a potential date. Or trying to set you up with any member of the opposite sex who is within 20 years of your age and breathing. (Not the same as a good friend who genuinely thinks you may have something in common with someone else.) Why do people always equate single with desperate?
 
Your subtle version makes me lol. When you find the answer … please share! Geez!
 

Joanne – when I go home (UK about 2x a year) I frequently get “you’ve lost weight”, which I haven’t. So do they think I needed to, or is it in their minds I’m larger than I am?
 
I always think the same thing when they say you’ve lost weight! ha ha
 

It never ceases to amaze me people’s lack of sensitivity and tact – not to mention absolute inability to listen in conversations. I am so there with you and NYC/Carribbean Ragazza on the single thing too – I have so many stories from my times I was single. The best part is when I did get married, which was relatively fast (ie we got engaged within 9 months of starting to date) I got rude comments then too – ie “why would you get married so fast” – people just suck sometimes.

Anyways – fortunately there are many lovely people out there, including you.
 
That is funny. Can’t please ‘em all, can you?
 
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I’m not a fan of “What do you do” being the first question asked when you meet someone for the first time. Many people outside of the States think this is beyond rude. It’s like asking what salary someone makes.

Here most people start with, “where are you from”, “why did you move to Italy” etc.

I get that some people are just looking for a conversation starter but “what do you do?” can be interpreted the wrong way. Let it come up naturally during the conversation.
 
I always get the “why are you here” question first, too. Although I have had people here in Calabria ask me straight out how much money I made/make. Ouch!
 
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