The Dread and Denial of being asked "The Question" ~ Part 1

Part 1 of 2 (possibly 3😉, but making no promises)

Its highly possible that the first time will come at an extended family reunion. You’re laughing at your cousins jokes and intrigued by the funny stories told by Grandpa. 

“A second helping of grandma‘s peach cobbler would go well with another story” you think to yourself, and, politely excusing yourself you head for the dessert table. Joining the jostling line of other family members, you eye the deserts so tastefully arranged before you. Just as you’re dishing a generous portion of peach cobbler, uncle Thomas drop a bomb that has the potential to ruin the rest of your day. Or week. Or month. Or just as long as the question bothers you. 

    “So Jackie,” he says, helping himself to a serving of ice cream, “any boyfriend in your life that I should know about? Or is it to the point that daddy has to keep the shotgun hidden behind the front door?” he asks with a mischievous grin on his face. 

Startled, you flop only half of the cobbler onto your plate, allow the serving spoon to fall back into the dish with the clatter, and blush and stutter something about how you thought 15 years old might be a bit young. Sliding back into your seat at the table, grandpa's stories about his childhood have loss entertainment. The cobbler doesn’t taste as good as it looked because your brain is moving along at 75 miles an hour. 

“What did he mean by that? Am I behind on my life?” Attempting to clear your head you join in a lively game of ping-pong, but the question bounces around your head, just as the ball bounces swiftly back and forth across the net. 

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 Now every year you might dread that particular family gathering. Guess what, getting asked your relationship status doesn't just happen at family gatherings! The grocery store, where you work, at a funeral, or pretty much any social interaction. But WHY does the question carry so much annoyance? I think every girl (or guy) will be lying if they deny that a relationship is something they haven’t, at the minimum, thought about. Often as we get older, the frequency of being asked the question increases significantly. And if we answer as "single", some people appear to look sorry for us, the next person will offer their (usually unwanted) assistance in matchmaking, while yet others who truly mean well say just to enjoy your current stage of life. 

***** 

Please add your opinion on the survey I created on surveymonkey. Its annonymous; I won't be able to trace your answers back to you😊 Part 2 will be published when I have gathered substantial data.