Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?

You can answer generally - “I did very well on the SATs” or “I am really pleased with my SSAT scores.” And yeah, people do ask about salaries too… to which you can answer the same way “The compensation package is really competitive for this industry” blah blah. And some people actually think it’s HELPFUL to share actual details with others and do so freely.

Sure there are lots of ways to turn aside a rude or inconsiderate question but I would still consider asking those questions of a complete stranger rude or inconsiderate. Ymmv of course

And I can’t see how it’s helpful to ask since this kid is a complete stranger to you and the only data point you have is the school they go to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?

You can answer generally - “I did very well on the SATs” or “I am really pleased with my SSAT scores.” And yeah, people do ask about salaries too… to which you can answer the same way “The compensation package is really competitive for this industry” blah blah. And some people actually think it’s HELPFUL to share actual details with others and do so freely.

This. Of course. For the college application questions, you'd say, "I'm applying mostly to east coast SLACs." "I'm applying to a mix of state flagships and SEC schools." "I'm applying to schools with good bio and chem programs because I think I want to go pre-med..." (then shift to talking about the school's good science teachers)" "I'm not sharing until the results come in, but the college counselor here was helpful when I needed to add a few colleges to my list..." (then shift to talking about what the college counselor did) Etc.

Teach your kid to be vague or how to pivot. “I’m still deciding. Next on our tour is…” is perfectly valid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC conducts tours for prospective students. On almost every tour, DC is asked where he is applying to college. He is happy to talk about the college guidance office and the process in general, but asking someone where they're applying is not okay. It's personal and absolutely none of your business. Please stop. There are far better and more relevant questions to ask.

I agree with some of the other PPs that a tour guide student needs to be prepared for such stupid personal questions and kinda deal with it. Having said that, I would definitely look down on a parent if they asked this question on a tour.

+1 Generally speaking I'm finding that if parents haven't gone through this recently they have no idea how stressful the process can be. I don't even ask Seniors in my own orbit where they are applying. At most I'll ask how it's going. They can answer with one word or expand if that's their preference.

I am suprised the administration hasn't coached the student on how to traverse questions they don't want to answer as part of their preparation for giving tours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?

The kid should tell people he will tell them after they tell them their salary.

Yeah I’m sure that weirdo response would be really attractive to people considering the kid’s school

Anonymous wrote:My DC conducts tours for prospective students. On almost every tour, DC is asked where he is applying to college. He is happy to talk about the college guidance office and the process in general, but asking someone where they're applying is not okay. It's personal and absolutely none of your business. Please stop. There are far better and more relevant questions to ask.

I agree with some of the other PPs that a tour guide student needs to be prepared for such stupid personal questions and kinda deal with it. Having said that, I would definitely look down on a parent if they asked this question on a tour.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?

The kid should tell people he will tell them after they tell them their salary.

Anonymous wrote:Stop telling other people what to do.

Anonymous wrote:My DC conducts tours for prospective students. On almost every tour, DC is asked where he is applying to college. He is happy to talk about the college guidance office and the process in general, but asking someone where they're applying is not okay. It's personal and absolutely none of your business. Please stop. There are far better and more relevant questions to ask.

I see your kid is well equipped to deal with life. Oh, wait.....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?

I DGAF about anyone's scores, and I'm quite certain my kids would tell you if you asked. I would also tell you my salary because I don't think it helps anyone to keep those things a secret either. I think a lot of you are nuts with "it's personal" BS

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?

It's astonishing how lacking in logical thinking so many people are. Yes, that's you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?

You can answer generally - “I did very well on the SATs” or “I am really pleased with my SSAT scores.” And yeah, people do ask about salaries too… to which you can answer the same way “The compensation package is really competitive for this industry” blah blah. And some people actually think it’s HELPFUL to share actual details with others and do so freely.

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe the two PPs think a kid’s collefe list is any of their business (but then I am a public school parent)

I can't believe so many people think this is such a personal question and not a common way to make small talk. Or is it just because your kids are applying to colleges that are embarrassing to you?

Stop telling other people what to do.

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. That's the tour guide equivalent of cocktail party question. Where do you live/work. Good lord.

So nuts. Do you think it’s also ok to ask SAT scores? Or SSAT scores?

If not why is one ok and the other not?

Or if yes would you consider it cocktail party conversation to ask someone’s salary?