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Bad Manners and Brimstone
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#Post#: 55124--------------------------------------------------
Is this intrusive?
By: Hanna Date: July 27, 2020, 3:34 pm
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I attended a "welcome to the neighborhood" party the other
evening. One of my new neighbors asked, "Are you registered to
vote?"
Would it have been rude of me to ask her later if she flosses
her teeth? So many people don't and it's really crucial to our
good health.
#Post#: 55128--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: sandisadie Date: July 27, 2020, 4:00 pm
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I don't see anything wrong with asking a new neighbor if they
are registered to vote. I don't consider that rude or intrusive
at all. Your new neighbor is probably civic minded and wants to
let you know where or how you can register. If they had
inquired as to who you had voted for in the last election or
what political party you belong to then I'd consider just why
they were asking.
Everyone who is of age to vote should be registered and should
be voting. Asking someone a personal question like "do you
floss" would be rude. I'm wondering now what you replied.
Would you care to share that?
#Post#: 55129--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: TootsNYC Date: July 27, 2020, 4:05 pm
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I think that especially because you're at a new address, it
might be OK.
But I can also see why it may have felt a little intrusive. It's
such a charged time, politically.
And HOW it was asked will absolutely flavor the question.
it's a bit like, "what church do you go to?" or "are you looking
for a church home?" or "do you go to a church?" Though that's
more charged, because it assumes a belief, which voting sort of
doesn't--since registering to vote and voting is something
people of all political outlooks would do.
#Post#: 55142--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: Jem Date: July 27, 2020, 6:17 pm
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Asking if a person is registered to vote is not intrusive.
Asking or sharing political viewpoints often is.
Depending on context a conversation might included asking if
another flosses, but since I get the sense your purpose in
hypothetically asking this question was to offend the person
being asked, I do think that would have been rude (though I
assume you didn't actually ask that)!
I agree with PPs who note that upon moving into a new community
certain questions are more palatable also. For example, if I
moved into a new community I might ask neighbors for gym
recommendations and ask them which gyms they go to, if any. The
purpose wouldn't be to insinuate that I think they should go a
particular gym, it would be informative of what options for gyms
are available in the area and which gyms people like.
Here, I assume the person wanted to let you know how to register
to vote and perhaps explain where you physically would vote. A
simple, "Yes, I am registered!" would suffice, or alternatively,
"No - tell me how to register," or even, "No, I am opposed to
voting."
#Post#: 55149--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: Hmmm Date: July 27, 2020, 8:45 pm
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I agree asking if you are registered is not really overly
personal. In my state, we have Volunteer Deputy Registrars who
can assist people with getting registered so the person could
have a very valid reason for asking.
To me it would be like asking a new neighbor if they need
recommendation on a local dentist.
#Post#: 55151--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: Rose Red Date: July 27, 2020, 8:52 pm
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I don't think it's personal but it would be strange to be asked
unless you were talking about politics/voting/elections or
something like that.
#Post#: 55154--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: lakey Date: July 27, 2020, 10:20 pm
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[quote]Everyone who is of age to vote should be registered and
should be voting. [/quote]
I don't necessarily agree. If people don't care about issues, or
don't put any effort into informing themselves, I don't see the
benefit of their voting. Most people I know do care, and I think
that we are better off if they vote. I do know a couple of
people who are just not interested in what goes on locally,
statewide, or nationally. I don't mind them skipping the voting
process.
As far as the original post, I don't think there's anything rude
about asking if a person is registered, as long as the question
is aimed at being helpful, perhaps letting them know how to
register. If I were new to a neighborhood, I would assume that
that was the motive.
#Post#: 55155--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: NyaChan Date: July 27, 2020, 11:24 pm
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I don’t think it’s intrusive. If they’d asked who you were
going to vote for, I’d think they’d gone too far for someone
they only just met, but this far isn’t too far in my opinion.
#Post#: 55163--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: Oz Diva Date: July 28, 2020, 4:41 am
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It’s not something you ever get asked here because it is
compulsory to vote. It is a rather judgemental question in the
US though.
#Post#: 55168--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is this intrusive?
By: STiG Date: July 28, 2020, 7:32 am
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I'm going against the grain and saying that it is an intrusive
question. It is really no one else's business if you are
registered to vote or not. There are reasons why you might not
be - not a citizen, for example. And thus starts an awkward
conversation that could have been avoided.
Now, if the conversation has been political in nature and the OP
has been expressing her opinions in the discussion, it might be
OK to ask that question. Or offer direction on how to get
registered in that area. 'If you aren't registered to vote in
this county, you can go to X place to get it done.' And leave
it at that.
Here, you can be registered to vote if you tick the box when you
are doing your taxes and the information is shared between CRA
and Elections Canada. I believe the Elections Canada
information is also shared Provincially. Municipally, it is
taken from the tax role. If there are members of your household
that aren't on the deed of the house who are of voting age,
they'll have to be registered once. I think I did it by phone.
So there would really be no need to ask the question or give
direction.
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