Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

Na...I don't care about pets.. unless They have ferrets..the question about having kids is asked because I have kids..we/I like to compare notes about kids..

I had a pet, but my kids ate it.

Is this some sort of finding Nemo?!

Fertility journey? I need to know if you have a bunch of rug rats or not so I can dip

Learned it the hard way. They showed up in a big suv, couple in their late 30s. Asked me to hop on in, and my first question was, "where are the kids". It was an awkwardly quiet 20-minute drive.

You never know what their pet journey might be either. Their only pet ever could've died the day before for all you know.

LPT: Never assume people want or don't want kids. Also, people can be really put off when asked to give a glimpse into their home life, so don't ask anything about their current home situation (including pets). Ask broader questions when first meeting them. "Have you always lived around here? What do you do for fun? Seen any good shows lately?".

Asking about pets forces the person to share facts about their personal life, or risk looking like an asshole for choosing not to (because pets seem so harmless, and mostly are, but also deeply personal).

Fair call. Consider me further educated. :)

Point taken.

Learnt from a simular situaion.

I love your barstardry.

Also don't ask about job, health, holidays, hobbies, interests, school, or anything personal. Respect their journeys and don't hurt people! The weather is a good subject,but only in temperate climates. They may have been through a hurricane or tsunami journey.

They may not have the disposable income for shows, or they might be homeless. No reason to shame people for that.

Better than the other way around.

No bro i have kids

[removed]

You can ask if people have kids. It’s the 10 questions after I say no that are the problem

[removed]

Are you trying?

Do you want kids?

Why don’t you want them?

Do you know what you’re missing by not having kids?

Why don’t you give it a shot, you’ll love it?

Do you hate your mother?

Why are you so mean and not giving me grandkids?

Quick! Someone think of 3 more!

Don’t you think you will change your mind?

I always thought that one was for people getting a vasectomy but I can see it that way too. But it did give me another question idea.

You’re not getting any younger you know?

Ask about kids, completely normal question. If they say no then don’t ask a follow-up about it. If asking if they have kids ‘triggers’ them, they are the 5% oddball not you.

I have kids myself, and when we’re out and about, people often ask me about them to make conversation. After I talk for a while, I like to segue away from myself by asking “do you have kids in your own life, or do you get to have hobbies and vacations?” It’s always been received well, because people can talk about their own kids or niblings/relatives, or share other fun stories that are not kid related.

If they cant have kids etc is the basis for my post.

Don’t ask any personal questions when you meet new people. Keep all questions general and let them share whatever they’re comfortable sharing. Talk about yourself or the surroundings/event and let them open up at their own pace.

This is almost as awkward as when a woman truly looks pregnant and you ask when she’s due only to find out she isn’t pregnant

Who will care for you when you're old?

[deleted]

Well like. Are you trying to hang out with their kids or what? Why even mention them

In the US at least, isn't it most common to ask, "What do you do?" (occupation)

Yes, always, answer, my money

When meeting new people, don't ask if they have pets, instead ask if they have kids.

You never know if their pets just passed away

​

What if your future husband/wife wants them?

[deleted]

That's really well phrased!

I agree wholeheartedly with not assuming what people want re kids.... But I really disagree with not asking people about their lives. Any question can be off-putting to the wrong person, but chitchat is how humans meet and get to know other humans. It is a normal and healthy way to bond and build trust. If you're uncomfortable discussing basic things, then you either need to learn to politely say "I'm not comfortable talking about that" or stop meeting new people.

You're right. I was viewing this post entirely from a professional lens, and I didn't even realize it until now. That's actually kind of disturbing that my brain basically forgot that humans can meet other humans for purposes other than building a professional relationship (fuck, I need a vacation).

You're 100% right and my comments look pretty ridiculous now lol.

Edit: I've done a few work trips lately and always enjoy chit-chating with people I meet at the airport or in the plane. But this is all just friendly small talk, not the foundation of a new friendship. My mind went to all the new people I've met, and all were clients, colleagues, vendors, or these fleeting moments with another passenger on a trip. Still, it's sad that my mind went to these examples only. But, with those kinds of interactions in mind, I think my opinion still stands.