In early Novemeber I was at a work event and someone casually asked how old I was. I promptly replied “Thirty Three.” When the person left moments later I was struck with confusion. “Wait a minute, I’m not 33,” my brain befuddled, “I’m 32.” It was bizarre.
Reminder: This was in November.
Yesterday, I was thinking about age and I suddenly realized that I AM 33. For a solid month I had wrongly believed I was a year younger than I am.
I submit to you that perhaps the impoliteness of asking someone his or her age is not at all a social faux pas because of age stereotype or capability stereotype, but instead it puts someone on the spot and challenges them to do calendar math (the most annoying type of math).