Macmillan Holdings, LLC. Modern Manners Guy, QDnow, and Quick and Dirty Tips are trademarks of Macmillan Holdings, LLC. Don’t get panicked and stressed by an inappropriate relationship question. Instead, answer with confidence with these three tips. Colin manners I was single for a long time, and I remember when I asked if I was single. Maybe this doesn't happen in the way it would be thought...but I said I was, and they backed off. I have no problems being single, but it can't hurt to have a partner... That question can really rush people to find a partner they may not be ready to work with. Just saying. http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58930#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58930#Comments Mon, 25 Feb 2013 01:32:08 GMT L Frank manners I think it's pretty rude to assume that your conception of a good relationship applies to everyone, and it's definitely rude to promote antiquated gender stereotypes. While Beyonce may have wanted a man to put a ring on it, not every woman feels that way, and not every man fears discussing marriage. Also, way to promote heteronormativity -- by assuming that a relationship is only "good" if it is going to lead to marriage, you are dismissing the romantic experiences of most gay and lesbian people, as well as hetero men and women who do not see marriage as an end goal. You do have some good points, and I understand the impetus behind your article (certainly, the questions you address are rude and inappropriate), but by holding up marriage as the place all good relationships must/will naturally go, you're actually perpetuating the sort of beliefs that underlying the very questions you're bemoaning. http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58646#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58646#Comments Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:29:36 GMT Alex manners Um, if you're not going to propose you should just break up? Sometimes a person doesn't know if they want to marry someone. That's why they get to know each other first. If one of the two people asks, the proper response is a conversation on the topic. If you want to get married then talk about it. If not, talk about that. Don't try to get the other person to shut up with "It'll ruin the surprise" or "Welcome to Dumpsville. Population: You." Seriously, this stuff isn't complicated. Also, the manners advice is "sarcasm"? Did you learn manners from sitcoms? http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58620#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58620#Comments Mon, 18 Feb 2013 07:12:59 GMT Shabra manners I have to echo Leanne & Dan's earlier comments. Not a bad little article but wish you wouldn't assume that all want to be married, or a couple. Like Moniqa's reply. As for me, when people ask me why I'm not married, I usually quip: Just lucky, I guess! http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58476#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58476#Comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:28:39 GMT Moniqa manners I love it when people asked me why I'm single because I get to respond with a nasty, "Because I have standards," and a pointed look. I troll trolls. http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58417#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58417#Comments Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:49:35 GMT Janine manners One that ALL women must hear at least a few times in their lives is, "So when are you having kids?" or "When do you want kids?" Whether in a relationship OR NOT, this question will come up - and it is pretty much always addressed to the woman. Men are never asked. Also, the question starts "WHEN are you having" as opposed to "do you want". It is my biggest pet peeve. It is a VERY personal and inappropriate question. I always answer the same way, "I'm not having kids... I'm having puppies." http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58157#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=58157#Comments Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:19:05 GMT Andre Bashore manners I feel so terrible about myself now after I have read this article. All those questions I have asked my fellow friends. Sadly I now have none. Wow, my life sucks. The only thing that inspires me is YOLO! And no, I need no help. I am a very good, sweet, loving, ginger. http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=57914#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=57914#Comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:59:25 GMT Chana manners Bless you! The world needs a modern manners guy. This blog is really fantastic. I have what Dan might consider an outdated view on relationships. I'm a teen, but I don't believe in recreational dating like many of my friends do. I always thought that the point of dating was to test-drive potential life partners. So I get asked the "why are you single?" question A LOT. (Which, at seventeen, I think is ridiculous.) Traditionally, my answers have been rude right back. "Because I'm waiting for someone I really like and not just dating to -not- be single. Oh, I'm sorry, what was your date's name?" But I appreciate the commiseration on this one. I'm so glad that I'm not the only person on the planet who hates being asked that question! Thanks, Modern Manners Guy! http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=57855#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=57855#Comments Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:03:22 GMT Knight manners I always asked this rude question and my answer always to be like :( Oh tomorrow i will married or after one hour ). Thank you http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=37295#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=37295#Comments Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:13:48 GMT Dee manners Hi, thank you so much for the very inspiring and timely article. I agree with everything you said and think we should band together to figure out how to handle some of these rude questions. As a single person looking to be married one day, I think your topic and ideas are on point and very much needed and helpful. Keep up the great work. http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=36790#Comments http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx?commentid=36790#Comments Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:53:32 GMT Mon, 25 Feb 2013 01:32:08 GMT http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-answer-awkward-relationship-questions.aspx feedback@quickanddirtytips.com (Managing Editor) feedback@quickanddirtytips.com (Webmaster) en-us