To think it's rude to ask someone their age like this

[Greengables4]

We had a new lady start at work who was clearly in her 50s/60s. My male colleague in his 20s just asked her on her first day "So how old are you?" She replied saying she was 57 but inside I was thinking wtf? It's none of his business. Why does he need to know?

Yes, a rude question!

Yep that's rude !

Hope someone called him out on it, what a little shit.

I have sons in their 20's I can guarantee they wouldn't ask that

I know people in their teens and 20s usually ask each other how old they are, especially in dating contexts that's normal, but I couldn't Imagine asking somebody clearly much older their age like that.

She was nice to him she should've told him to mind his own business

I dont ask people their age before people jump on me, but I'm wondering why it's actually rude. It's not embarrassing to be an age, you are what you are it's not like you've done something embarrassing by getting another year older. I dont ask people as I understand there's a taboo around it, but I could never imagine being offended by someone asking how old I am. Ever.

But in this situation, yes I see he shouldn't have asked, simply because it was irrelevant to him.

When you’re young and in your twenties you’re far less sensitive about age. To him, it’s just another question to help put somebody in context, like asking where they live, or if they have a family. When you’re older, it seems like a rude question because women particularly often worry about getting or being perceived as “too old.” He’ll learn soon enough.

Interesting in the context that the government has recognised there's an issue with over 50's in the workplace. A friend once went on a training day where the icebreaker was that people lined up in order of age. I've no idea what the intention was but some asked the others their age and others made assumptions and lined up according. She was possibly one of the oldest there and was really traumatised by it.

Has the government recognised there's a problem........with the over 50s?! I've not heard about that. Im curious now, what exactly is the problem?

www.independent.co.uk/voices/rishi-sunak-tax-break-homeowners-over-50-b2261149.html
This issue seems to be with retention of over 50's

But not everything that is irrelevant to you is something you shouldn't ask.

'Where do you live?'
'How's the commute?'
'Got anything nice planned for the weekend?'

I know culturally we have an issue with age (which I do not think we should have, but it's not going to change overnight), which makes it 'wrong', but objectively I don't think it is.

It's rude to ask, and I can't think anyone has ever asked me at work. I'm in my 50s and work with a lot of younger people. I usually drop in the conversation at some relevant point how old I am, stops people wondering and I'm not bothered about people knowing.