Dare to Ask has a few questions for you

By Phillip Milano

Hey folks, it’s that time again: Yep, here are some reader questions we’d like you to answer. See instructions below. This event only happens on the first Wednesday in June (starting now), or on any other Wednesday that we feel like doing it. And for print-only readers: Think of this as a little non-cyber gift for you, since you get a chance to read (and reply to) some of the questions you wouldn’t normally see because, well, they’re online!

Question

Why do some women laugh whenever they respond to a question? Like “what time is it?” They answer, “Ha, ha, ha! It’s 3:30!” I find this behavior baffling.

Caroline, Jacksonville

Question

Why do old people like to talk about their golf game so much?

Ben, Clay County

Question

I’ve always wondered, do African-Americans sunburn, and if so, how might it be possible to tell?

Jeff S., 31, white, Bremerton, Wash.

Question

What I just experienced at the grocery store infuriated me. Three women – a teenager, an elderly woman and a middle-aged woman – were shopping together. They checked out at self-service with the teenager riding a motorized cart for handicapped customers. After checking out, they replaced the cart, the teenager jumped off and all three walked out of the store laughing their butts off all the way to their car, as if to say, “We sure fooled them.” It was the only motorized cart there. I can understand teenage immaturity, but what about the others? What can managers and customers do?

Shirley, 50, St. Louis, Mo.

Question

Is a beard on a Muslim man a form of modesty, like a Muslim woman’s head scarf?

Rebecca, 17, white, Jacksonville

Question

Why is there so much attention paid to campaigns to feed the hungry? Who can be hungry in America when you can get a hamburger for less than a dollar?

Mike E., 63, Sarasota

Question

Are bears (usually more hairy, heavyset and masculine gay men) common in most gay communities?

G.M., 17, gay male, Mahtomedi, Minn.

Question

To white people: Would you invite a black person to your home? Have you ever?

Frederick, Jacksonville

Question

I work in a hospital with many nurses of Filipino descent. At times they treat me as a friend and confidante, sharing intimate details of their lives. At other times, they completely ignore me. And nearly always, they stop talking to me when a fellow Filipino enters the room and direct all conversation to that person. Other nurses who share my ethnicity (Caucasian) have similar experiences. I’m confused.

Denise D., Honolulu