[sarasmom]

In social situations, I often ask if someone is married, especially if they are male and in my own age group.
It saves a lot of potentially embarrassing misunderstandings in casual social interactions.
A simple yes or no is all that is intially needed.
Furthor questioning generally means either a more personal interest, or a rude person, but the basic questioning of matital status is meant to be polite. Social situations are how strangers meet and learn enough about each other to be deemed acquaintances, and may even lead to casual friendships and a variety of other potential relationships.
Marital status matters a great deal, in formulating the basic boundaries of casual social relationships.
The author of this piece needs to learn how to successfully interact socially as a mature adult.

[weegee]

As for myself, I find a number of women, with no ring, who are in long term live-in relationships with their boyfriends.

Perhaps they have a common-law marriage.

All I know is that there are some things I would like to know up front.

[CompSciGuy]

I completely agree. I found her attitude snobbish, and possibly repellant. Any good man would want to know if she is married... 1) to formulate an appropriate behavior pattern, and 2) possible interest. Asking someone why they aren't married (especially when one is in their 30's) is fair game as well, especially because most of the time it leads to interesting in depth conversations, the kind that lead to friendships or better.

Cheers,
CSG