The 3 questions..

After 2 yrs into a ph.d, ya, you can gauge the boring and uninteresting nature of mine, there are 3, yes 3 questions that one should not ask a ph.d student. Besides not having a clear precise answer, these questions touch (read hurt) the integrity of a grad student to the very downright. These questions, I consider more manner less then asking a lady her age.

Q1) "Hmm.. how many publications you said that was.??"
Come on! thats us as rude as asking a guy how much he earned (unless he earns like Bill Gates). The question touches the very conscious of the poor grad student. It makes him* feel more pathetic than already he is. It hurts..!

Q2) "When are you thinking of getting married then!?"
No.. Never, yes never put that question (unless he is already married). He already has something that demands constant attention, makes do crazy things, keeps him awake at nights and makes feel that life would be better without it. One would not want to feel all these over again.

Q3)" oh! doing a ph.d. so when are you finishing, completing your ph.d.?"
Ever heard the term 'God Forbid' .?? ya thats the .. mot juste here. Do not ask it, its rude, outrageous and also totally uneasy for the poor guy. Its like asking..... i can't think of one thing that i can compare this situation to, and you know why.? coz there isn't a more morally hurting a question than this one.


One should at all costs avoid these questions. please.

* all hims and hes can be replaced by him/her or even a her if the reader feels anything discriminating towards the other sex. I am no sexist, but believe me , its too much of trouble writing him/her everytime .