DEAR ABBY: A reader asked you why some people are offended when you ask them their age.
My Eastern European grandmother was a Polish Jew. She died in 1954, when she was in her 90s. She would not divulge her age, or even discuss age in general. Gray hair was not in her makeup either.
Her generation with the same ethnic background believed that the angel of death was constantly looking and seeking candidates. If the angel heard her discussing or revealing her age, he would realize that he had overlooked my grandmother. -- THE VIRGINIA AGE MAVEN
DEAR VIRGINIA AGE MAVEN: (For those who might not know, "maven" means expert or authority in Yiddish.) Thank you for a fascinating letter. It reminded me of another interesting Jewish superstition. The reason Ashkenazy Jewish people do not name their sons "junior" is the fear that the angel of death might confuse the generations and take the child instead of the father.
For a clever response to the age question for those who prefer not to reveal that information, read on:
DEAR ABBY: In response to the letter about people who become offended when asked their age, a simple reply will do. Say, "Age is only a number and mine is unlisted." That should stop the curious in their tracks. -- C.G. IN SPRING HILL, FLA.
DEAR C.G.: You are a wit! Another reader wrote that her mother stopped such personal questions with this response: "Can you keep a secret? I can!" With a little humor, even the rudest questions can be answered without divulging personal information.