Do You Mind Me Asking?

When people want to know how old I am, they just ask. When they want to know how old Donna is, then they use the magic words - 'Do you mind if I ask, how old are you?'

Just in case you are currently using this phrase with what you believe is impunity, you should know that it really is a short form for "I think you are old, but I don't know how old." Not that Donna isn't older than I am (eight long months I never let her forget), but no one seems to mind asking me how old I am. Funny, isn't it?

I guess, there are some things that you can't come straight out and ask. You have to make your way around them. Con it out of people. It is a social rule and a very Canadian one at that. (Confrontation is to be avoided whenever possible. Of course the notwithstanding clause is applied to all hockey arenas. You will notice that most balloting is done in schools and churches and not arenas. No mistake there.)

"So, did you vote yet?" That's the question everyone is asking today and I can't always tell if that is what they want to ask. Is it just a filler question, like 'how about them Seahawks?' or 'how's the weather in Vancouver, raining?'. Or is it really a different and more interesting question? Am I just being reminded of my duties or do people really want to know how I voted?

That's what I want to know.

How did you vote?

You don't mind me asking, do you?