One of the most awkward questions a reporter can ask someone is their age.

I get it, I just had a birthday so I know, we're all a little touchy about our age, especially as we get older.

I learned in a previous life - when I asked people the question of the week at the newspaper in Timmins - that the trick to asking someone's age is to not ask their exact age.

Don't ask them how old they are - ask them 'roughly' how old they are and they will tell you exactly how old they are.

It worked almost every time - one person told me "I'm retired," but for everyone else it worked like a charm.