How to Answer When Relatives Ask Why You're Single

by Mandy Harris 23

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and celebrating — and, of course, for family overload and awkward questions about your life.

At family gatherings over the next few months, you're bound to field questions about your love life, especially if you're showing up solo. You can't avoid them, so make like a Boy Scout and be prepared. If you're hit with the dreaded "How is it that you're still single?" question this year, here are a few (semiserious) suggestions for how to handle it.

• Kill 'em with sarcasm: Take a page from Bridget Jones's playbook and respond with, "I suppose it doesn't help that underneath my clothes, my entire body is covered in scales."
• Turn the tables: Even if you don't necessarily want your Aunt Diane's dating advice, asking her for tips will take the focus off of you and might actually be useful (though we can't promise anything).
• Use TMI to your advantage: If you're brave enough, getting into the gory details of your last messy breakup will definitely make the offender wish he'd never asked, and chances are, you won't get that question again this year.
• Play the sympathy card: Sigh wistfully, misting up if you're able, adding, "I was just wondering that exact. Same. Thing."
• If all else fails, be honest: If you don't have the energy for a snappy response this time around, try just being honest — you're focusing on work, you're enjoying being single and going out with friends, you haven't found the right person — whatever the case may be.

Anything to add?