Yes. The answer is yes, as long as I don’t dislike you. No, I probably won’t begin to dislike you after you ask your really personal question.

I get this question a lot, so I thought I’d address it. I realize this is a preface to a question that you think might possibly offend me, so by first asking this question, I will go easy on you if it actually turns out to offend me. Here’s the news: It makes no difference. I am not easily offended, and in fact I’m probably dying to tell you whatever it is you want to know if I only had a chance. Just stop asking, “Can I ask you a really personal question?” first.

Moreover, what am I supposed to answer to that, anyway? “No, you may not ask me a really personal question?” I would never get to hear the question and I wouldn’t even know if it were personal. So. Ask away.