Dare to Ask: You dared to ask, now dare to answer

By Phillip Milano
The Florida Times-Union

What better way to distract yourself from the early-summer doldrums and the latest major environmental catastrophe than to answer some Dare to Ask questions? Here’s the latest batch below seeking your intelligent, entertaining and printable replies. So, read ’em, travel to www.yforum.com, search ’em out and type away. We may feature your replies in this space, if you behave at least a little.

Questions

I’ve noticed a lot of our local newscasters “smack” their mouths before they speak, and some people I know do this. Why? — Emery, male, Jacksonville

While I don’t know more than a few black people on a personal level, the ones I do are terrified of cats. Is this generally true? If yes, why do black people love dogs so much? They’re way scarier than cats. — Catherine, white, Akron, Ohio

When I think about another man, it grosses me out (not knocking it, it’s just not for me). When gay men and women (not bisexuals) think of [being with] the opposite sex, do they get grossed out, or is it a more neutral feeling? — Rush, 22, straight, Clemson, S.C.

Why do foreigners sing with an American accent? This came up after listening to Keith Urban, a huge country artist in the United States with an Australian accent. — T.C., female, Jacksonville

Why are Jews typically depicted as being rich and frugal with their money? — Patrice, black, Jersey City, N.J.

Why are women so afraid to take their clothes off in a game of strip poker, when the guys are all about getting naked? — Rush (again), 22, straight, Clemson, S.C.

Texting while driving? What are you thinking?  — Shirley, 50, St. Louis

Although kids of all races have tantrums, I’ve noted Hispanic children are very seldom reprimanded for bad public behavior. Are their parents wary of the attention disciplining their child in a different country would bring? — Kat, 26, white, Nashville

Why are black people so much more animated than white people when it comes to a situation that lands a family member in the emergency room? — Sean, Jacksonville

Being a Jew, I’ve heard the story of Jews being slaves in Egypt for more than 500 years. Living in the U.S. for some time, I notice that most blacks have an attitude as if each white person owes them something (and I understand that 400 years of slavery are the reason). I haven’t seen Jews do the same to Egyptians or people of any other Arab descent.  — Vasiliy, 29, male, Baltimore

I have worked in a small store about five years and know the ins and outs of the business more than the owner does. Yet shoppers treat me like an idiot. Why? Because I’m in customer service? — Alaina, 28, Cincinnati

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Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip.milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.