a pet peeve

i don't know of many things that really truly get under my skin, but i've experienced one recently.

i don't like it when people ask me why i am not dating anyone.

how could i possibly answer that question? are they even expecting an answer, or is it rhetorical? in which case, why would you ask it to my face, in a public place, surrounded by family and friends, while my cousin gets married. i can't completely explain why my first long term relationship didn't work. i only really understand my side of the story. since then i haven't reall been putting myself out there so to speak. i've been studying most of the time, and spending my leisure hours with female friends or with guy friends that i have known too long to be attracted to.

am i supposed to take it as a compliment when i'm told that it is a surprise that i am not "taken," given all of my apparent attributes? can't i just be happily single instead of in-between-relationships?

i don't understand why all eligible women must be dating eligible men. i can't deny the fact that i'd actually enjoy a date here or there. it would be nice to meet someone that i can talk to and be intimate with in a different way than with my friends. but, make no mistake - i am not looking. it's enough that my little sister has just started her first "official" relationship (meaning that the last guy she saw never called her his girlfriend). i look forward to supporting her through all of the stages, such as meeting the parents a couple of weeks ago. it's fun to watch someone go through the newness and awkwardness that accompanies dating someone for the first time. my older sister has more drama than a soap opera, and listening to her is enough to keep me away from men for a while.

it just really irks me that some people believe you can only feel fulfilled when you are dating/married.