I Have Enough on My Plate

I met her after a long time. Both of us are sensitive, fragile individuals, and the moment we reunited, we were busy exchanging our lists of hospital visits. Neither of us was married yet. One of the people at the table asked us, “But wouldn’t you want kids anyway?” It puzzles me why this question is so common. “You’re not married yet? But surely you need at least one child.” “Don’t you feel lonely? Maybe you should get a cat?” Every time I hear such questions, I respond with half-jokes and half-truths: “I’m already overwhelmed taking care of just myself.”

In Western culture, it’s been a long-standing taboo to ask personal questions like this about marriage. However, in many places, such questions persist, often under the guise of concern or closeness. But such inquiries, especially if uncomfortable for the person you’re asking, are unnecessary. Everyone has their own story and reasons for their choices.

individuality, choice, respect