Is it rude to inquire about age?

Dear Polite One,

Is it rude to inquire about someone's age when in the company of others?

Inquiring Minds

Dear Inquiring Minds,

Yikes! Asking someone's age is not polite in any situation except when a doctor asks in an emergency room. The reason is simple. How can a person reply to the answer? "You look good for your age" or "My, I thought you were older?" Tricky and not nice.

Sincerely,

The Polite One

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