"Really? I didn't know that..."

[Brewman_Jax]

"...you weren't married/don't have kids/don't have a family."

I just heard that at the end of the week at work. I have never lead anyone to believe that I'm married or have children. They seem to be shocked/surprised that I'm not a family man like most are.

I'd say look for the ring, but rings come off.

It gets old in hurry. :eyes:

How often are you told that?

[onager]

1. Heard that one a few times...

Yeah, sometimes it's pretty awkward. I've even had a few rude people ask me right out, "Why aren't you married with children?" (Or words to that effect...) I swear, I'm going to start saying: "Don't you read the papers? I just got paroled for ax-murdering my entire family because they asked too many dumb questions."

Then there's the Knowing Smirk that says you must be gay if you're A Certain Age and don't have kids and a spouse. Also annoying.

[Brewman_Jax]

2. That's good

and definitely a conversation ender. :thumbsup:

I've been told by the married/ex-married guys, "Don't get married!" and "Don't have kids!"

If/when asked, I'd cite the above and add, "I learn from other people's mistakes."

[mdmc]

3. lol

I work as a casewoker for troubled kids and their families. No one ever asks me why I don't have kids...

[American Tragedy]

4. I'm still a bit too young to get that. I get a different version.

"Don't you have a boyfriend?"

When I say no, they frequently reply, in an embarrassingly astonished tone, "Why not?"

Now, how the hell do they expect anyone to answer an obviously private question like that? Considering that these are generally people who don't know me very well, it's pretty fucking intrusive.

And this, my friends, is another example of why talking to other people tends to exhaust me. I'm sure yall have very similar experiences.

[onager]

6. Yes, it's a lot worse when you're younger...

Everybody tries to play match-maker and stuff. BTW, they never really give up on that, either!

I'm older than dirt and people still try to set me up. I know they mean well...and I'm tempted to add, "Hitler meant well, too." :evilgrin:

But they apparently just don't get the point. If I want a date, I'm not so repulsive that I can't get one. It's that I generally DON'T WANT TO.

You're right, trying to explain that can be exhausting. Maybe I'll start wearing a T-shirt that says "Misanthrope" or something...

[Brewman_Jax]

8. It doesn't improve with time and age

Haven't had any try to set me up, lately. They're going to pick someone based on THEIR tastes, not yours, and those never match--okay, rarely match. :(

[kaitykaity]

5. My standard quip with an eye roll.

"I demand sole possession of the remote control."

[Brewman_Jax]

7. I like that!

original!

[kaitykaity]

9. Lol. Full disclosure, I stole it from a movie.

Sandra Bullock's "While You Were Sleeping."
I should have said that.