I guess I never really thought about it until now, but I've never asked that question of someone unless I KNOW they know the recipient better than I do. For instance, I'll ask my MIL what colors my SIL would like in a quilt, because she knows her daughter better than I do. But I'd never ask a sales person that question. However, I WOULD ask a sales person or a stranger if this color looks better than that color, etc.