The Indian Aunties + Uncles

Ever since I moved back to India (hopefully for good), I can't help but notice the "inquisitiveness" of Indian aunties and uncles.

Trust me, after four years of Engineering and torture of applying to a couple jobs and finally doing something I love, the last thing I want to hear is "so what are you doing next?" or "beta aage ka plan kya hain? " or even "so when are you leaving for your mba?" or best one "when are you getting married?" arghhhh

I truly believe our Indian aunty-uncle population has been trained to talk like this! The best part being I feel like saying: Ëven my parents have not asked me all that;But NO, my mom's aunty's brother's wife would like to know my future plans (I hope I don't have anyone who is actually related to me like that ! haha)

To add icing to my current cupcake size ambitions, most of the people I meet are like so how long do you think you plan to stick to this company?

The only answer that comes to my mind is : hmm ye of course x years, actually I have even planned where I shall be celebrating my kid's 16th birthday , you wana know that?! blah

It gives me the feeling like I am lying down in a long grass lawn staring at the winter sun while clouds are passing by and some aunty is blocking my view by standing on my head !

But 4 months and counting, I have learnt some amazing lessons to avoid such conversations. The most apt being: if you know anyone from their family, bring their topic in: more like "aunty what is your son doing? " or " how come your daughter ain't married yet?" And your life problems would be negligible to them as their stories start to pour .

Speaking from absolute experience, LEARN THEIR LINGO. Let me elucidate a little.

If someone tells you "when are you getting married?" , you can say: "aunty 14th of next month, muma did not invite you? " or

"aunty I am still discovering my sexuality"

and if you are a little faint hearted then: "whenever you find me a guy aunty, so when should I come over for lunch? "

Its brilliant how the concern spreads like a forest fire in India. "She told me", "I heard from so and so", "He was telling us over dinner" etc etc. No conversation here ends in a confined room or a dinner table.

Confidentiality is undermined and Sharing is taken a little too seriously.

There lies the fun in saving your ass in a place like this !