ADVERTISEMENT

When I was a preschooler, the top 2 questions that various adults asked me were always “What do you want to become when you grow up?” (well, yes, a 3 Y.O. kid makes some Napoleonic plans...) and “Who do you love more, dad or mom?” (great, then why not ask which lung is more comfortable for me to breathe with?)

Decades have passed - and we, adults, still continue to ask children, our own and others', questions of varying degrees of stupidity and inappropriateness, without even realizing that we're unwittingly traumatizing them. So here are almost three dozen similar stories, collected by Bored Panda from this viral thread in the AskReddit community.

More info: Reddit

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Asking a teenage girl if she's on her period any time she shows any emotion

futuristiccloudflap , RDNE Stock project Report

Final score:
146points
Add photo comments
POST
simoneyvandenheever avatar
neytjie
neytjie
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I make mental notes on any male friends/family members who ask me this. And any time they seem pissy I ask if they are on their period

Vote comment up
95
95points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online “Why are you playing with [gender specific toy]? That’s for boys/girls.”

BicycleSalt2961 , Polesie Toys Report

Final score:
139points
Add photo comments
POST
simoneyvandenheever avatar
neytjie
neytjie
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dumbest thing ever. Toys do not have an assigned gender. My daughter and son play together, whether it's with dolls or cars, I don't see a problem if they enjoy what they are playing with.

Vote comment up
77
77points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Asking if another child of the opposite sex is their boyfriend/girlfriend.

rmsmithereens , Elina Fairytale Report

Final score:
137points
Add photo comments
POST
sriik avatar
Eilen
Eilen
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh and even if the said kid says no, some adults keep insisting! RAAH!

Vote comment up
68
68points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

In fact, the tradition of asking children stupid questions goes back as far as the tradition of lisping and deliberately imitating toddlers' babbling. Well, then somehow it wasn't customary to pay as much attention to mental health as it is today, so a whole set of meaningless and allegedly 'cute' questions was formed that, like myths and legends, are passed down from generation to generation. Up until today, for sure.
#4

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Asking a question and rejecting any answer the kid gives unless it's the adults own opinion.

triggeron , jonas mohamadi Report

Final score:
124points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online “why can’t you be more like your brother/sister?”

SuvenPan , nappy Report

Final score:
122points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online i’m a young teenage girl, and both my step dad and his dad tell me all the time “can I marry you?” “If you don’t find a man soon I guess I’ll have to be the man!” “Have you found a boy yet?” followed up by “If not i’m single!” the worse one was my step dad: “If your mom ever divorces me then can you marry me?”


I don’t know why they say that all the time but God is it annoying.

ArByY7 , Any Lane Report

Final score:
117points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

On the other hand, it seems that we adults sometimes simply don’t have the slightest idea what to talk about with children - especially if we are not their parents, and this is a kind of small talk. True, unlike any small talk between adults, our questions do sometimes look at least strange. To understand this, it’s enough to do one simple thing - just put yourself in the kid’s place and imagine exactly how you will answer this or that question. If you find it difficult to answer, it’s better to avoid asking.

ADVERTISEMENT
#7

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online "Why wont you give me a hug?" At a family event where everyone is staring.

Melody71400 , Ketut Subiyanto Report

Final score:
113points
Add photo comments
POST
duesvolent90 avatar
TheGoodBoi
TheGoodBoi
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my experience "Because I don't really know you." "You smell funny." "I just want to go play with my cousins.."

Vote comment up
59
59points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online "Do you want to burn in/go to Hell?"

DavosLostFingers , Kindel Media Report

Final score:
110points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online When I got my period and they would ask “Don’t you feel like a woman?” or some c**p like that. I was 11 and not amused

runawaybluess , Marina Stoichkova Report

Final score:
102points
Add photo comments
POST
katea_ avatar
UnknownFrost
UnknownFrost
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, ma. I don't feel like a woman. This is a period, not Shania Twain.

Vote comment up
99
99points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

A separate category of questions comes from adults who are only superficially familiar with, for example, teens, about their emotions, physical health, or imposing their own opinions. Yes, you are an adult, you most likely have more life experience behind you - but this in no way gives you (and me too of course) any right to make value judgments and put it in the form of these 'innocent' questions. Just think back to your teenage years - and I’m almost sure that a couple of similar stories will pop up in your mind.

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online I had pretty severe eczema as a child. Refused to wear anything but long sleeves and pants even during hot, humid New England summers because every single time I left the house, at least one grown a*s person would ask, “what’s wrong with your skin?”

My mother spent a lot of time correcting grown ups on their behavior. When she got tired of it, she let me do it myself.

EggWaff , Ketut Subiyanto Report

Final score:
96points
Add photo comments
POST
cherylhayesbent avatar
Chez2202
Chez2202
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a facial birthmark as a child and had surgeries to remove it, 6 in total, the last one at aged 15. The day after the last surgery someone asked why I had dressings on my face. Told them that I cut myself shaving. I’m a smooth skinned female.

Vote comment up
70
70points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online “Why don’t you smile more?”

Atheist_Alex_C , Artem Podrez Report

Final score:
92points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Asked by "family" most of the time: Do you really want to eat that (much)? Do you want to make me sad?

Keks4Kruemelmonster , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:
88points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

Be that as it may, I'm also absolutely sure that the tradition of asking children weird inappropriate questions will outlive us, and for a long time, and the only thing we can do to make kids more comfortable communicating with us is to simply think about whether it’s worth asking this or that question at all? And, of course, re-read the stories listed here again - perhaps this list will really benefit us.

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online What are you going to be when you grow up? I’m 67, and I still don’t know 🤷‍♀️

NancyintheSmokies4 , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:
88points
Add photo comments
POST
ruxandra-ana-vasilescu avatar
Xandra
Xandra
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is this traumatizing or disrespectful? It's a conversation starter for kids, I haven't met one who didn't want to talk about that. What can be bad is the way you react when the kid gives you their answer.

Vote comment up
76
76points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online "Are you a boy or a girl?" leave them the f**k alone

seeminglynormalguy Report

Final score:
85points
Add photo comments
POST
leigh_2 avatar
Leigh
Leigh
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate when I get asked that. I had two people argue about my gender identity right in front of me!

Vote comment up
63
63points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online "Do you still believe in Santa?"

All you're doing is making them question Santa.

Nepo_Barbie , Владимир Васильев Report

Final score:
79points
Add photo comments
POST
tobb-1 avatar
WindySwede
WindySwede
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you stil belive in the magic giraffe? 🍃🍃🍃🦒 🍃🍃🍃

Vote comment up
37
37points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#16

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online When I had my second baby, heaps of people asked my eldest (2) "Do you like your new baby brother?" 
Apart from everything else, it's irrelevant. Like, we're definitely keeping this baby either way..

tremendouslymassive , RDNE Stock project Report

Final score:
79points
Add photo comments
POST
duesvolent90 avatar
TheGoodBoi
TheGoodBoi
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah let me just go get a refund on this child if the eldest doesn't like them.

Vote comment up
42
42points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online "Can I go to the bathroom please?"

"I don't know, can you?"

SuvenPan , RDNE Stock project Report

Final score:
78points
Add photo comments
POST
duesvolent90 avatar
TheGoodBoi
TheGoodBoi
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could hike my leg anywhere I guess, but I'm being polite. The choice is yours, can I go to the bathroom or not?

Vote comment up
47
47points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#18

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Do you have a boyfriend?

hambonecharlie , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:
73points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online I saw a reporter ask a 13 year old if he wanted to go to the olympics. He straight up told her that the junior nationals and junior worlds were more realistic goals right now. What a solid head that kid has.

probably-the-problem , Oană Andrei Report

Final score:
67points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online anything that relates to the kid having a child when they grow up.

had this from my family growing up and it’s probably not a huge thing but asking a young girl if she’s going to have babies when she grows up is so (for lack of a better word) jarring. has made me want to practice abstinence 😐

elhusive , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Final score:
67points
Add photo comments
POST
dreama-robinson35 avatar
MotherRobinson
MotherRobinson
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Told my daughters it was their choice if they wanted to have kids or not.

Vote comment up
34
34points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Parents that have broken up and use the child as a middleman to pass messages and get sneak peek into what’s going on in their ex life.

I define children as those who are under 12 years old.

poopyfingerinmyeye , Gustavo Fring Report

Final score:
61points
Add photo comments
POST
justinsmith_1 avatar
Justin Smith
Justin Smith
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dislike this one because anyone using their child (no matter the age) as a middle man for their squabble is an a*****e.

Vote comment up
78
78points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#22

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Will you take care of us when we get old

Tangent617 , August de Richelieu Report

Final score:
59points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online “Can you keep a secret?” Doesn’t matter what the secret is, that’s so confusing and puts a ton of pressure on the kid

Top_Temperature_6955 , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:
57points
Add photo comments
POST
travellingtrainer avatar
Hey!
Hey!
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband and I told our children that if anyone would say that to them we wanted to know the secret and they could tell that person that they would, in fact, tell us.

Vote comment up
63
63points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online If there's family dysfunction & a kid is going through a rough emotional period with moments of lashing out: "Do you really want to be like your mom/dad when you're older?"

Upbeat_Tension_8077 , Ketut Subiyanto Report

Final score:
53points
Add photo comments
POST
madelinejones avatar
MADELINE JONES
MADELINE JONES
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is absolutely ridiculous. My friends divorced because they were no longer in love but they are still best friends to this day.

Vote comment up
16
16points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Do you love your mother or father?

d11ys , Vika Glitter Report

Final score:
35points
Add photo comments
POST
acey-ace16 avatar
Ace
Ace
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The answer, of course, should be Yes. But in my day it wasn't something that would ever be said.

Vote comment up
24
24points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Hi kids, do you like violence?

MoreGeckosPlease , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:
25points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online On the rocks or neat?

Comfortable-Battle18 , Marcelo Verfe Report

Final score:
11points
Add photo comments
POST
duesvolent90 avatar
TheGoodBoi
TheGoodBoi
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's always a struggle to put ice in anything at my establishment. That crunch noise of getting ice out of the ice maker makes GoodBoi and the toddler teleport to the kitchen lol

Vote comment up
18
18points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online Do you like movies about gladiators?

SardineAbuser , Paramount Movies Report

Final score:
9points
Add photo comments
POST
54s avatar
54 s
54 s
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. But joey has definitely been in a Turkish prison.

Vote comment up
34
34points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!