About 
2012
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EmailSometimes it's rudeness, sometimes it's a cultural misunderstanding. Whatever. There are questions you shouldn't be asked that you probably will be anyway. Herewith some answers that could be helpful:
Q: How much do you make? How much did your car/house/necklace cost?
Y: My mother raised me not to talk about money outside the immediate family. It's a good rule, don't you think?
Q: That's a really nice weave--it isn't really your hair, is it?
You: Of course it is. (If you paid for it, it's yours, right? 'Nuff said.)
Q: Are you pregnant?
You: Why do you ask? (and sit back and wait for the sputtering to subside.)
Q: Can I borrow $5,000? You have that much, right?
You: Sorry, those T-bills haven't matured yet.
Q: All those kids can't be yours, can they?
You: Why can't they be? (Again, wait for sputtering to subside....)
Q: Did your grandfather leave you anything when he passed?
You: A lifetime of fond memories and a lot of good advice--like don't spend time answering questions that people have no business asking in the first place.
Have you ever been asked an impossible question? Did you figure out a snappy comeback? Share with us in the comments section, below.
Karen Grigsby Bates is a Los Angeles-based correspondent for NPR News and co-author, with Karen Elyse Hudson, of The New Basic Black: Home Training For Modern Times (Doubleday)
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