Do you feel comfortable asking your close friends questions that may be perceived as "nosy?"?

My mother just told me that her husband (my step-father) was out to lunch with his long time friend. They’ve known each other for over 30 years and frequently play golf together, and the couples frequently see each other for cookouts, etc. In discussing the Ray Rice controversy, my step-father’s friend asked him if he’s ever hit his wife (my mother).

The answer was no, but my mother found the fact that the friend asked this question to be “presumptuous” (her description). My mother asked my step-father if he, in turn, asked the friend the same question, and my step-father did not.

I didn’t find that question too shocking, considering the closeness of their friendship.

Are you comfortable asking close friends questions that others may consider “nosy?”