Raele Altano offers scripts for shutting down intrusive questions about marriage and kids. Maintain a straight face, pause to make them justify themselves, then redirect or leave. Sample lines include asking why they're invested or offering to let them pay for a child.
What to say when someone asks, when are you going to get married and give your parents grandchildren? Like someone asked this person right here. This is clearly a loaded question that's designed to put you on edge and make you feel like you're behind in life in some way. A genuine person who knows you well would not be asking you something like this in that way in a public setting. So here's what you can say. You bring this up often. Is there any particular reason you're so invested in my timeline? When there's something new and noteworthy to share, we'll let you know. Oh, I'm so flattered. Were you interested in contributing to the future wedding? Why do you want to know? Are you interested in helping with the future grandkids? That's so generous of you. You. With all due respect, it's poor form to ask someone such deep questions about their personal life, especially in a setting like this. You know, it's interesting that people ask single people the same types of questions over and over again. I actually just came back from this great trip or accomplished this big thing that I would love to talk about instead. Wow. Marriage and babies all in one question. That's a new level of bold. Whatever they respond with, let them talk. Let them stumble over their words trying to justify why they even ask the question. And whatever you do, do not give in to nervous laughter. Keep a straight face. Let them talk. Pause for another second or two for a little extra spice and change the subject. Or wrap it up and walk away altogether if necessary. I know the interrogations about marriage and kids are big ones, so I really hope this was helpful, and I'll continue to cover more on these.
