When are you getting married

Based on true experience.

I was attending the wedding of one of my relatives. This is when one of my aunts chased me for a dreaded discussion. She directly started with a question that stung me, "when are you getting married?" 32-year-old single me just smiled politely at the question. I had no clue how to respond to this question. Considering my silence as my defeated she went on further, "do not delay it any further. Remember your biological clock is ticking. You are not getting any younger. Every day you waste will haunt you later. You will regret getting married late. You will bear children late. Nobody likes old parents in school. Give some serious efforts and get married soon". At that moment I was burning with anger. I was so angry that I could have cried. Considering the social circumstances I held back my anger and my tears.

I am certain that every single woman in this world must have experienced this in her life at least once. Relatives who turn out to be so called "experts" tell the single women that how they are wasting their time and oxygen on this planet because they are not getting married. Also they make them feel that they are worthless unless they are married and bear children. This mindset is not only disgusting but it is really disrespectful towards the woman (Note: this is disrespectful towards single men too, however I have never heard a man being told about the "ticking biological clock". This is why I am highlighting the struggle of women).

A lot of people do not understand how insensitive this question is towards single men and women. Let's analyse this further.
When any person its single or unmarried there could be several reasons behind it. Maybe they have not found the right person for them. Maybe they have some goals in their lives which they want to achieve before getting married. Maybe they have responsibilities which they have to prioritize. Maybe getting married is not their priority. Maybe they do not want to get married. The possibilities are endless. However there is just one choice that matters - their choice not anybody else's.

In any phase of life, when the person is asked the question of "when are you going to get married", it always hurts. The intentions of the person asking this question do not matter because the damage is already done by asking that question. Being at the receiving end this question always gives nothing but pain to the receiver.

Whenever I had been asked this question it brought nothing but agony. I felt that being of scholar, a successful professional, and good earner did not mean anything if I was unmarried. I felt that my existence was not important if I remained unmarried. My achievements were completely neglected because I was single. In all this mess I am completely thankful to the God for giving me supportive parents who never pressured me. Yet I completely understand that most single people are not as fortunate as me.

Suggesting from my own experience: whatever is your marital status never question anybody's current status. Never ask them the question "when are you going to get married". It brings nothing but pain and surely you do not want to be the one to inflict it.