Brace yourselves! Chinese New Year is coming. That only means…… a barrage of interrogations from the sea of relatives – from your love life to your study life to your job. That could mean a disaster for some of us.
We all know how it feels, you are not alone, so let us help you out with a couple of tips and answers that could spare you from the daunting interrogations and enjoy the festival without a hassle! Here are some of the most common questions or statements, and a few tips on ways to reply in order to get them to leave you alone, at least for a bit.
1. “Wah you put on weight already ah? You look chubbier!”
BAM! Right in the heart. These are the words no one ever wants to hear, but that aunty or uncle of yours decided that it’s okay to tell you you’re getting fat. So how do you counter such statement?
TIP #1: “Thank you aunty/uncle. You also look a little heftier around the waist. Same same eh!”
TIP #2: Simply laugh it off calmly and say, “Thanks ah, festive season ma. Enjoy lah! Eat more lah!”
2. “So you got boyfriend/girlfriend already or not?”
This is one of the most common questions to get during Chinese New Year. It’s the worst headache, especially if you’re single. So how do put a stop to their curious nosy minds?
TIP #1: Just smile politely and say “I want to focus on my job, make more money then get rich girlfriend/ boyfriend ma. Cannot rush with ‘good investment’.”
TIP #2: Surprise them by saying “I have Tinder and so many apps now to date so many people. Why stop at one fish when I can have plenty of fish from the sea?” They will probably judge you so hard now that it would leave them speechless, but at least you won’t be bothered by them for the rest of the day.
or if you really want to shut them up… TIP #3: Who say I don’t have partner? I’m actually gay. Dating very long already loh!
3. “When are you getting married?”
TIP #1: “See first lah, when she/he is ready we will get married. Check again with us next year maybe.”
TIP #2: “Not important lah. Married or not married no difference lah. We live together already. We like Western open-minded style.”
4. “You’re not young anymore, why still not giving your parents a grandchild?”
TIP #1: Tell them honestly, whatever the reasons may be. “Kids are a handful, we are not ready yet. Don’t put us under the pressure.”
TIP #2: “We were thinking of maybe adopting. Heard Malaysia quite affordable, not bad. Can recommend?” Sarcasm goes a long way.
5. “Where do you work now? How much do you make a month ah?”
This is often a subtle way for them to dig into the job you have and judge you. They probably also think you aren’t earning enough with that job you like. So prove them wrong by replying politely.
TIP #1: “I love my job and earn more than enough to get by, very satisfied.”
TIP #2: “How much do YOU make a month? About the same lah, no need to ask.”
6. “Eh where is your girlfriend/boyfriend? Broke up? WHY?”
TIP #1: You can choose to take the easy way out by saying “Like that lor. Life. Things change. It was not meant to be.”
Tip #2: “Being handsome/pretty is like that one lo. Too many fishes in the sea. Cannot be selfish and stick to one person only.”
So there you go! A handful of replies you could use to counter interrogations from nosy relatives. It may or may not work, no guarantees. Nevertheless, at least with these tips, you will not be left speechless or at a losing end. Good luck and Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate!
