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28 Questions Adults Like Asking Kids Despite Them Being Inappropriate, As Shared Online

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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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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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

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#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

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#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

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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.

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#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

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#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

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#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

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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.

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#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

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#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

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#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

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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.

#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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Oleg Tarasenko

After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

Monika Pašukonytė

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

What do you think ?

Hey! 8 months ago

Horrible questions.

12points

RabidChild 8 months ago

You forgot the one I always got: "What's wrong with you?"

6points

Alias Fakename 8 months ago

I was homeschooled, I always got asked (or my parents got asked) how "socialization" works. 🤨

3points

ynyrhydref56 8 months ago

Can we please not cheapen words like 'trauma'?

3points

WonderWoman 8 months ago

Asking little boys if they are the "man of the house" when the father is out/gone.

3points

Castles 8 months ago

What a load of c**p. Half of these aren’t even slightly inappropriate.

3points

Claire Trautmann 8 months ago

Just described my whole childhood

2points

Sara Burnett 8 months ago

"do you like movies about gladiators?" Nobody has ever asked that question.

2points

Cjay 8 months ago

Hi, my name is (what) my name is (who) my name is (chicka chicka) Slim Shady

2points

Momifer 8 months ago

One of my favorites: why did you do that? Like my dumb ADHD brain knew why I thought that was a bad idea

0points

Steve Hall 8 months ago

This may be the dumbest BP list so far.

-3points

Hey! 8 months ago

Horrible questions.

12points

RabidChild 8 months ago

You forgot the one I always got: "What's wrong with you?"

6points

Alias Fakename 8 months ago

I was homeschooled, I always got asked (or my parents got asked) how "socialization" works. 🤨

3points

ynyrhydref56 8 months ago

Can we please not cheapen words like 'trauma'?

3points

WonderWoman 8 months ago

Asking little boys if they are the "man of the house" when the father is out/gone.

3points

Castles 8 months ago

What a load of c**p. Half of these aren’t even slightly inappropriate.

3points

Claire Trautmann 8 months ago

Just described my whole childhood

2points

Sara Burnett 8 months ago

"do you like movies about gladiators?" Nobody has ever asked that question.

2points

Cjay 8 months ago

Hi, my name is (what) my name is (who) my name is (chicka chicka) Slim Shady

2points

Momifer 8 months ago

One of my favorites: why did you do that? Like my dumb ADHD brain knew why I thought that was a bad idea

0points

Steve Hall 8 months ago

This may be the dumbest BP list so far.

-3points

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