NOYB!

During my visit to my past life Sat evening, I ran into one of the Swedish women I have known for a long time. Seeing her immediately flashed me back to our last in person encounter when I know that I was a little less than kind to her. Ok, I was a bitch. You see, she is one of “those people” who think it is OK to ask utterly ridiculous questions every time she sees you. Her offense that day was asking for the umpteenth time just how long M and I have been dating and when are we ever going to get married. AUGH!!!! There is a woman here at work who pesters me with that one too. WHY? What is the Big Deal? And is it Any of Your Business?

Tell me, would it be OK if every time I saw my friend who smokes I asked her “When are you ever going to quit that?” The phrasing is harsh, but wouldn’t I be showing concern for her health?

Would it be OK to ask an overweight friend “When are you ever going to lose that weight?” Same as above, right?

Would it be OK to ask another friend “When are you ever going to finish your education and get out of that dead end job?” Again, showing concern and maybe prodding someone to improve their life long term, right?

Would it be OK to ask the nosy Swedish woman “When are you ever going to dump that asshole husband?” Because she should – but it’s none of my business, right?

So all of those examples would be considered rude and crossing a line socially.

Why then is it somehow acceptable socially for people to prod others about their relationship status? Or why is it acceptable to immediately start asking a childless couple “When are two going to have a baby?” None of those questions are encouraging anyone to improve their lives or to get out of an unhealthy habit or bad situation. They are just annoying, nosy, ridiculous questions!

And the answer to them is None Of Your Business.