'Cause he knows he's not going to buy their cock-and-bull answer? Because he knows marriage isn't just some made-up stuff that's whatever you want it to be?
No, it's not whatever you want it to be. It's a contract defined by law and enforced by the government. It's whatever THEY want it to be. Churches can have different rules on it, which is where some people trying to get 'remarried' discover that the Catholic Church still considers them married, irregardless that the State of California(or wherever) has given them a divorce that's recognized by the federal government.
As for 'cock and bull' answer, I meant the whole 'what do you call each one'. That's a bit life finding out if somebody wants to be called Mr., Dr., Sir, Sgt, their first name, whatever.
It's not worth getting your blood pressure up over, because it's certainly more personal to the ones who want to get married, and thus they're willing to push further.
As long as they're both consenting, informed adults, why should YOU care about THEIR personal lives?
I did.
It probably varies by couple. *shrug* Didn't find out my last commander was gay until he introduced his husband at the change of command ceremony. I almost broke formation when the introduction was made...