Be Polite but Firm: You can respond with a polite and assertive answer like, "I appreciate your interest, but I prefer not to discuss my family plans. Let's talk about something else."
Deflect the Question: Shift the focus of the conversation by asking about the other person's life or interests. For example, "I'm still considering my options, but how about you? How have things been going with your [insert topic]?"
Humor: Using humor can diffuse tension and redirect the conversation. A lighthearted response like, "Oh, I'm still figuring out how to adult properly. Let's not rush things!"
Set Boundaries: If the person continues to pry, don't be afraid to set a clear boundary and say something like, "I understand you're curious, but I prefer to keep my personal life private. Thanks for understanding."
Share Your Feelings: If you feel comfortable, express how such questions make you feel, such as, "I find questions about my family plans intrusive, so I'd appreciate it if we could discuss other topics."
Change the Topic: Quickly steer the conversation toward another subject by saying, "Speaking of settling down, have you seen any good movies lately?"
Exit Gracefully: If the situation becomes uncomfortable, you can excuse yourself politely and leave the conversation. Saying something like, "I need to catch up with someone else right now. Nice talking to you!" can be an option.
Remember, it's entirely okay not to share personal details about your life if you're not comfortable doing so. People often ask such questions out of curiosity or societal norms, but it doesn't mean you have to provide an answer if it makes you feel uneasy. Setting boundaries and steering conversations towards more comfortable topics is an effective way to handle these situations.