S'porean Redditors Offer Suggestions For The Best Replies To Questions From Pesky Relatives During CNY

As much as we enjoy catching up with loved ones and indulging in good food during Chinese New Year, the festive season almost always brings a certain kind of stress — the kind that comes in the form of unsolicited, and sometimes uncomfortable, questions from nosy relatives.

That’s likely what prompted this Singaporean Redditor to ask: "Singles & DINKs in SG, what is your best comeback to intrusive questions from pesky relatives during CNY?"

They continued: "CNY is coming soon, cue the usual questions of 'When are you getting married?', 'When are you having kids?' and snarky accusations of being picky or selfish. Give me your best comeback to survive the interrogation!"

Seasoned "singles and DINKs (which stands for double income, no kids, btw)" were quick to serve up their best responses.

For those constantly grilled about marriage, one netizen suggested firing back with: "Married already but forgot to invite you [to the wedding]."

Another suggested saying: "Still finding, maybe my boyfriend not born yet."

Yet another netizen recalled a genius move by their pal: "I had a friend that just did her ROM. Then she gaslit her relatives [into thinking] she invited them to her wedding but they didn't turn up."

Getting hit with questions about kids?

One netizen suggested replying with: "I try tonight then I let you know ok?”

Someone else proffered this savage answer: "Oh we saw how your kids turned out so we decided it'd be better to not have any." 

If you’re tired of the endless “when” questions — like “when are you getting a partner?” or “when are you moving out?” — one foolproof reply is simply: “Tomorrow,” delivered with a perfectly deadpan expression.

Majority agreed that the best way was to answer pesky questions with the most awkward replies possible, to ensure that you effectively cut the conversation short, or let the other party have a taste of their medicine. 

Other pro moves include hitting back with a completely unrelated question or simply repeating “I don’t want” in response to anything.

A netizen also shared: "Couldn't believe my ears when my relatives started asking: 'I thought last time you always say don't want children, why now so many?'. I just tell them they were very persuasive the last few CNYs."

Another advised: "Don’t ever say that you tried [to have kids] already or are trying because you think it’ll be enough to satisfy them and brush them off. It won't work. They’ll tell you [things] like 'try IVF, try TCM'. Just say you don’t want kids, and not that you cannot have."

Then there are those who choose to take the respectful, high road. Some quietly sip their drink, while others simply sit and smile.

Case in point: "I just smile. Because I'm still getting ang pow. Why antagonise my cash cow?"

And to that, we say — fair play.

Photos: Angela Roma/ Pexels, r/askSingapore/ Reddit