pretty good suggestions

when i broke up with my ex, my mom told two of my aunts and my grandparents who told my other two aunts, who told their husbands, and soon everyone knew so no one asked me where he was or how it was going...and i didn't know she had done this, but i really appreciated it (the holiday was only about a week after we broke up, maybe less)

i don't find my family really asks this stupid question, though...maybe cuz we're all pretty close so it's not like they're only seeing me/the other cousins once a year...but it's truly the dumbest question

i would just say "because i haven't met anyone as fabulous as i am...do you want me to settle?"

"I'm concentrating on other things at the moment." Then change the subject to your job search, school, the trip you're planning to take in March, etc.

This will be the 1st time in 10 years that I could possibly face this question. Luckily, everyone in my extended family is awesome and never asks questions about our love lives.

But if they did, I have a tendency to respond cryptically/flippantly anyways, so I'd prob chose one of my typical answers to annoying questions:

1. Who's to say I'm not [dating]?

2. Wouldn't you like to know?

3. Exactly.

4. ...or just smile really big and laugh hard and not even give an answer.

I love frustrating people

ha ha ha! I can see independent films based on this! I think family is one screwed up thing, it can be seriously warm or -ucked up!

errr! that is even more frustruating than the "when are you guys getting married" question
We dont get it from family, but we get it from *some* friends and even acquaintances

My aunt always asks me that. I reply with, "Why aren't YOU dating?"

She's divorced and tends to "date" men in her mobile home complex. The question gets her off of my back, and the rest of the family starts to inquire about her love life.

"Because in this economy, I don't want to buy an extra person a Christmas (Hanukkah, etc) present."

With my last serious boyfriend, I had to buy his parents and brother gifts! Really hard on a college student's budget!

I always get this question, and it's ALWAYS and ONLY Answer #1 that will fit: "I just haven't found that special someone yet."

Unfortunately that doesn't stop the conversation...and the family's eventually attempts to SET ME UP with some dude. @_@

I just tell them all the cool stuff I'm doing in my professional life instead [which they don't understand at all]...generally KILLS that conversation fast!

"the cult i just joined doesn't allow be to choose my own boyfriends."
"i have a boyfriend! he doesn't get paroled until after the holidays"

It would make me real mad if someone would ask me that cuz I think thats just my problem and not others

I just say "no one is good enough." Point blank. They can't fault you for having high standards. Who wants to settle??

I'm in my VERY early 20s, and recently, my aunt asked me whether I'm dating anyone special or have any thoughts about marriage, yet. It's quite frightening, and I hope people don't start asking those questions.

I ALWAYS get asked this question by one side of the family and it's so annoying. They really know how to make me feel completely inadequate, despite the fact that before I talk to them, I'm perfectly fine with not dating anyone because I don't want to settle. I'm tired of giving them the same answer over and over.

Ugh, I hate this question (along with "why aren't you married yet?"). I usually answer with one of the first two, although I'm often tempted to answer "because random hookups are so much easier".

"Now, now, Aunt Bea, it's inappropriate for you to ask me out on a date. You're married and it'd totally be incestuous. Plus, no offense, but you're not exactly my type."

If you say you have high standards or anything to that effect, they'll just tell you to lower your expectations and just find a warm body with a pulse like everyone else does.

Fortunately, most people today seem to realize this is an annoying question. I don't seem to get this question at all anymore ever since my grandma died. I'll knock on wood for this lack of intrusiveness to continue.

If it doesn't, I have quite a few flippant answers at the ready.

Yep Nitachequita that's the right answer in my view, random is best. If I were single that would be my answer.

Since I've been single for three years, I get asked this question every time I see family members. I usually say I'm dating and then launch into a story about the latest douche bag. This year I've got a good one. I showed up on a first date and the guy totally called me the wrong name!

No one really asks me this who knows me well. They know I have only dated respectable, intelligent men. The man I married/divorced is very honorable now that he worked out the kinks from his young adulthood (great for his current wife LOL) And the fact that we're friendly speaks volumes regarding out maturity growth.

In other words, people who know me (for real...) know that I'm not dating because I haven't met a man worth dating, so there's no need to ask. When I do, he'll be introduced.

my awkward uncles always seem to ask this and no matter what I say they alwaaaaaaays start to ramble on about how i really should wait, because i'm too good for boys my own age BLAHBLAHBLAH. i think This season if i see anyone i'll tell them that i listened to their advice from last year and at 19 years old have gotten myself a 27 year old boyfriend.

and he treats me like a queen.

haha. I just visited my Gma in the nursing home a few days ago, and she asked me this question. Then she tried to hook me up with her male nurse. LOL

I don't get this question much, but when I do, I pretty much always use #1. It's really a pretty obvious answer, and said the right way, turns it around on the asker and makes it sound like the dumb question it is. My take has always been, when I meet a guy worth writing home about, I'll write home!

partysugar, oh my gosh! did he have a good explanation??

I usually just make a randomly snide remark and move on to more important issues like Who brought the fudge? lmao

Because it is 2000 and f*cking 8 and I don't have to be. In fact I have permission to be a single, successful, indulgent, child free woman my entire life. So there ...

It isn't exactly how I feel, but I think it is worth putting out there.

This question really is annoying.

Why should I have to be dating? why am I automatically miserable since I'm single?

I'd probably launch into my story about how the last few SO's I've had have been more like children. If I wanted to be a taxi driver, someone to find the first aid kit when you injure yourself through gratuitous, pointless violence, or the person that you ask for permission to buy irresponsible things... I'd be a mother. Eyeroll.

Once I've started on that vein of conversation for a while they usually see why I remain single LOL

Good topic and tips Dear! I don't understand why/how people can ask such rude questions... :/

looseseal: "Now, now, Aunt Bea, it's inappropriate for you to ask me out on a date. You're married and it'd totally be incestuous. Plus, no offense, but you're not exactly my type."
LOL LOL LOL, that's the best answer ever. hahaha

flickster: Another awesome answer, lol.

I have a boyfriend now and had a bf (the ex) for the last few seasons, so I haven't gotten any questions. My family and friends are pretty good about asking nicely, they just ask about my life in general, including whether I am dating someone or not, it's no big deal, so that's good. It's usually the random people I don't know very well who ask rudely, which makes it even worse...I barely know them!! 8-0...? w/e.

The questions never stop. First it was "why aren't you dating", then it was "why aren't you married" and now it is "aren't you planning kids yet". I wonder what they'll ask when i actually do pop out a couple of sprogs...

I hate this question...I'm only 19, so they haven't completely given up on me yet but I can tell that they are wondering why I don't have a boyfriend to bring to Thanksgiving

When people ask me why I not datin I say he lives in France.whats he namn they say Johnny Deppand then they do not ak me more

I'm not dating because the pool of guys in this area isn't the best you see how cousin XYZ's marriage turned out.

or

I'm not dating because I trying hard to get my life together and I don't want to have what I need before I bring someone else in my life.

or

Isn't it clear that I'm Asexual duh!

or

We all know about that birthdefect and I'm just not ready to let anyone in!

Haha. I love all these answers! This question used to irritate me to no end. Last Christmas I had enough, and I told anyone who asked that I knew they cared about me and were just looking out for me, but I would appreciate not being badgered and I would let them know when I felt it was appropriate if my status changed. They've been much better ever since. Very diplomatic, I think

"I don't feel like it, why aren't you minding your own business?"

The family is too busy stuffing their faces and watching sports and talking about the Turkey Day game that morning so no one asks this question. Plus, they know I don't talk about it anyway. I have bigger things to address in my life.

If they did ask, I usually just say "Because I'm not" with my irritated face that usually backs down anyone.