It is finally Chinese New Year, the time when we can find an excuse to gorge on foods and get angpaus. Oh, but wait. We also need to visit our relatives during this season, don’t we? And meeting these aunties and uncles means a lot of questions you sometimes don’t even know how to answer. We have listed down some of the most frequent questions being asked during Chinese New Year, can you relate to any of them?

1. “How much do you earn?”

We know questions about salary is sensitive, but some older relatives just think it is okay to show their concern in this way. 

2. “Are you still single ah?”

If you finally get a partner, then the following questions would be “When are you getting married?”. And if you are married, they would ask “When will you have a baby?” and the list of questions will go on and on and on.

3. “Why so skinny?”

This question is always followed by the action of giving you more food, even after you said that you are FULLED. And because your relatives mean well, it seems impolite to refuse them. For some people, this could be the actual reason they gain weight during the Chinese New Year.

4. “Did you gain weight?”

While some relatives always think that you never have enough food, there are others who seem to have the need to remind you that your ‘spare tire’ is showing. Well, we feel you! But there is no need to put away that delicious bakkwa.

5. “Aiyo, don’t remember me already?”

Yes, aunties love to ask this. As for why? That is because they have NO IDEA who you are, and the need you to remind them! Seriously?

Although these may seem a little frustrated, maybe your caring aunties and uncles are just trying to play their parts as your elders and show their concern to you. And as a younger member of the family, it is probably better if you only respond to them in a respectful manner. So, why don’t you start preparing an answer from now on to handle this kind of situation politely this year?