I’ve gotten myself in trouble by asking hypothetical questions. I can’t help it. I love them.
Arguments, some silly, some serious (and some huge) have been sparked by my questions.
Years ago, a friend even got so upset when visiting me that she picked up her baby. (This was in the baby days.) “I have to go,” she announced. ”You’re making me nervous.” She and the baby went out the back door.
I grabbed my baby, and followed her to the car.
I was too afraid to ask a single question. Right before she pulled out of my driveway, she said, “You confuse me, Barbara. You ask so many questions, and I don’t know the answers.”
Zoom. She was gone.
Hypothetical questions help us dig deeper, think wider, and live higher. There aren’t answers to lots of them. That’s the fun and the challenge.
So in the spirit of hypothetical questions, here are few for you:
- If you could be the opposite sex for a day, would you? What would you most like to learn about that sex?
- If you could become any age and stay that age for twenty years (knowing what you know now about life), what age would you choose?
- If you could change one decision you’ve made in the past, what would it be?
- And now for an extra girly, menopausal sort of question: If you got to give up all the troubles you’ve had with menopause, but you have to endure periods for ten more years, would you make that trade? (For those of you not there yet, you can imagine those symptoms and then decide.)
Love to have you post some of your answers in the comments for all of us to read. Would you? Could you? Should you? Of course!
Photo: These rabbits sit in their rocker and ponder question after question:
- If we could come to life, hop about, and munch carrots, but only live as long as real rabbits do, would we choose to become real?
- If we could switch places with Peter Rabbit, and therefore be famous, would we, even though Mr. McGregor put Peter’s father in a pie and Peter carries that tragedy with him every day?
- If we could be models for the world’s most delicious chocolate rabbits, would we, or do we think candy rabbits are demeaning to the Rabbit World?
You can’t read it on their faces, but they are now in a heated debate over the last question. I think I need to intervene before stuffing starts to fly.
P.S. I snapped many photos of these bunnies, and each time, the bunny on the left (in the blue jacket) came out fuzzy. I think he’s what my mother calls an “itch,” and he just can’t stay still. He’s also the one really revving up the discussion over the last question.
For more posts by Barbara, check our her blog, Friend for the Ride.com
Hi Barbara,
Loved this post i can answer the 1st 2 questions easily – if I was a man for a day I would like to know why they can’t tell you what they are thinking without a stupid answer and I haven’t yet reached an age where i would like to stay for 20 years but i think i’m getting closer!
Question 3 takes some serious thinking and i’m not at question 4 yet but if I imagine it i think i would take periods for an extra 10 years!
on November 29, 2011 at 10:30 am Cara_VollerHi Cara,
on November 29, 2011 at 2:22 pm Barbara YoungerThanks for your fun response. Another thing I’d like to know about men is why do they get so annoyed when we repeat something (at least my huband does.) His big line is, “You already told me/asked me that.”
Yes! I get that all the time but i have to keep repeating myself because i never know if he listened the first time!
on November 29, 2011 at 2:39 pm Cara_VollerYep and they don’t get much better…
on November 29, 2011 at 4:25 pm Barbara YoungerYou can’t win, you either get accused of not mentioning that important thing, so when you make sure you mention it for the fifth time, then finally they do remember and accuse you of nagging/repeating/going on… I’d love to know how to guage which things he has heard and which things he has tuned out ;o)
Regarding the rabbits. They look great fun. I’d like to join in their debate. Especially the grey one with one floppy ear, I’d invite him to dinner – he looks like a good laugh.
PS. I hate to contradict you but your rabbits are real! I hope they didn’t get too offended by that question. When you turn your back they’re off on adventures. Don’t you notice they are never in quite the same position you left them in?
And finally I’d love to have no periods, but they’re not that much of a hardship once you get used to them. I’d definitely rather suffer periods/menopause than be a man! Not reached the menopause yet so not sure about that question. I reserve judgement but surely it’s an excuse to be a bit cranky and get away with it?
I’m not 40 yet but maybe I’d like to stay 40! It’s the new 30, or so I’m told!
on November 29, 2011 at 5:40 pm RuthHi Ruth,
You’re right! The bunnies are real. I just walked into the room and overheard them debating if I’m real or not!
Thanks for reading. Regards from the rabbits.
on November 29, 2011 at 8:48 pm Barbara Younger