There are roundabout comments you can make which are not a direct inquiry. It's not impossible if you are clever. For example, in your scenario, you could say

"That is a beautiful ring you are wearing sir. It looks like your dog is also wearing a ring around her collar that looks similar. They are both very nice looking rings." *smile and nod*

ok, people, we need to start working our colective a$$es in order to network on real life (perhaps saying you are a friend of Toto, Dorothy's dog?)

As an idea born out of this forum, we should try a catchphrase like that...

and in Mopar Mindy's case, ¿how about asking something that a zoo would know but no mortal would?, like asking for Actaeon, Mr. Hands or Wilma?, if this person has been in this culture then surely knows what the talk is about, of course, you can allso get the answer "yeah, my <place a close and deep relation here> Zoobuster is going to get them all once and for all!), in which case you should turn 180° and run.

that has the escape route to say "hell, no I ain't zoo, I was thinking in the freedom of speech thingy!", or the "oh, it is just a name I heard somewhere (over the rainbow? :lol: )

I don't think there is an easy or safe way to ask that question, Mop. I will say, however, that I've never been that curious about another human's zooishness to even contemplate asking. I think I would just sit back and observe events for a while and see what happens.
LTD

You could say "I'm zoo-friendly."
If they are a zoo and smile, then you're gold.
If not and they ask what zoo-friendly means, you can just say you're a member of your local "friends of the zoo" society :)

If I had a euro for every time this question is asked in this section ....... followed by another euro every time I answered it ....... I could probably retire a rich woman! :blink: :lol:

By the way how well exactly do you know this person ? If they're not an existing friend / partner etc ..... then you need to be even more careful. Never forget this is one of the last sexual taboos there is in society at large, and illegal in most countries. Unless you want to hear your sexual preferences talked about around town ...... best be very very careful.

I've tried a few approaches in the past ...... all of which worked for me ...... from I had the weirdest dream last night ..... to I read this story in the paper ...... saw this documentary on television a few years ago ......

The key thing about all those suggestions is you can bring the subject up WITHOUT admitting your own interests. After all you can't be responsible for dreams; newspaper reports etc. If you get a negative reaction, you've admitted nothing, no harm done ..... subject dropped and that's that.

Hope that helps ! ;)

Here is a page that has alot of good responses that can apply here.

The way I posted was to mention you saw something about it online in a forum. Say that you were reading a thread about animals and that this came up, or something like that. Just judge your friends response and the way they act, and then proceed from there.

If you don't want to come out and say it right out, then just hint around it, and slowly work your way into it. They might pick up on the hints or not. Just take it slowly.

Hope this helps.

You laugh, but here in town there was (maybe still is) a Women's Auxilliary to the city zoo, and I remember seeing trash cans stenciled PROPERTY OF WAZOO.

Good reply, Curious1...... Agreed!

Having a large supply of zoo jokes is a starter, people can wonder about why you have so many, but it is not an admission. I have found that getting to know the person first, and when you feel comfortable, then bring out a few jokes on a one-on-one bases, not good to unload a bunch in a group setting.

A catch phrase would be nice but it wouldn't replace the casual conversation. The risk is so great that it would take more then knowing a 'secret phrase' to learn my inclination (this forum excepted).

It has been suggested before but I favor some kind of visual clue. Something no more incriminating then say a white loose thread located on the left shoulder of a shirt/blouse.

And yes this question has been asked before, what I find fun is that it doesn't change much.

Unfortunetly, like any sex related topic, its always tough to ask. Best thing I have come up with is ask an opened ended question. Leaves you room to back out if you dont get the answer you were hoping for.

good point vutall