5 Questions Young Professionals Don’t Want to Answer Over the Holidays

Posted Friday November 20^th, 2015 by Lauren Downer in Fun + Personal.

*This blog is inspired by a real-life conversation that occurred between the GEM Vancouver and GEM New Haven offices.*

The holidays are officially upon us, and so are the dreaded questions that are dished out during this time of year. Fret not, you are not the only one who goes through this. We’ve all been there. Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to survive these interrogations, but there certainly are a few typical questions that you can prepare using these few tips to help you along the way.

How is your job going?

No matter how much you love, or hate, your job, attempting to answer this question with brutal honesty is quite frankly a lose-lose situation. Regardless of your answer, the chances are your family won’t get it, and the comebacks will be as follows: “You work too many hours,” “They don’t pay you enough,” or “Is that related to your degree?” The reality is, you probably do work long hours and get paid less than you should, but this is a part of the twentysomething-tango. These are the years of hard work, long hours and job hopping until you find the perfect fit. The best piece of advice we can give is: Keep the answer short and sweet, and change the subject swifty.

Have you found “The One”?

Yes, that’s right singletons. the holidays are the times when you need to address the fact that you do not have a significant other at your side to help make these family gatherings more bearable. Everyone’s a critic whether it’s your mom, aunt or younger cousin, so you know this question will be dished out at the dinner table, especially when the conversation topics are at an all-time low. Just remember this: You’re fricking fabulous, and Rome wasn’t built in a day. Also, remind them that the times have changed, and your love life literally is held in the balance by the flick of a Tinder finger or the missed connections on Craigslist. The times of courting and family match-making have officially dwindled. So when the question comes up, provide a nonchalant response and switch the focus to someone else, a recent episode of a television show or your neighbours’ family drama (yes, be “that guy”), and be thankful that you have survived another year.

If you’re in a relationship, then you’re going to have to strategically brush off those comments until you’re ready to have that conversation. At the end of the day, it is a personal question and you shouldn’t be forced to answer it just because you’re in the same room as those inquiring.

Do you plan on having kids soon?

If it’s not marriage, it’s kids. The best answer for this is: “Sure, but not just yet.” Otherwise, if you say no, you’re heartless, and if you say yes, you're desperate. Remember your main priority is to make it through the holiday unharmed. Whether or not you have a boatload of kids, well, that is all on you.

How’s the social scene treating you?

The true answer is that you probably drink far more than advised, and that watching the latest Netflix Original is taking up more time than you would like to admit. Leave these things out. For the best and most balanced comeback, we suggest you stick to the two E’s: Engage and Explore. By listing a mix of sporting activities, social events and potential travel plans, you are bound to avoid giving off any warning signs that you are living an unhealthy, or inactive, lifestyle. Even if the reality is that your sport is going clothes shopping, any social activities are inspired through thought-provoking Ted Talks, and your travels are subject to the local grocery store and their new cuisines samples in the World Food aisle, you can certainly put a spin on your social life.

We’ve all been there, no judgement.

What’s your five-year plan?

In the grand scheme of things, it is nice to think that we all have a plan laid out in front of us as to how our career, love life and lifestyle will evolve over the next five years. But if we’ve learned anything from the last twenty-odd years, it’s fair to say that we’ll just have to wing it. Life is a rollercoaster, and as long as the seat belt is fastened, we are in control of our own destiny. After all, as long as we stay passionate about what we do and who we love — the rest will fall into place.

- Happy Holidays!