When colleagues ask when you're getting married โ how do you handle it gracefully?
by Priya NathanยทMay 26, 2026
I'm 29, unmarried, and apparently a curiosity to several people in my office who ask about this at a frequency that could be tracked on a spreadsheet.
I've tried different approaches:
"Haha, not yet lah!" โ too encouraging, invites follow-up next month
Deflecting with a topic change โ works occasionally but feels dishonest
The direct approach โ "I prefer not to discuss my personal life at work" โ works but creates an awkward moment I then have to manage
What has actually worked long-term is: a breezy "when it happens it happens!" delivered with genuine warmth and then immediately pivoting to asking them something about themselves. People who ask these questions generally like talking about themselves โ use that.
Anyone else found something that actually works without creating friction?