What will people think?

If I learned one thing from my India trip this time around, it was definitely to ignore the "What will people think syndrome."  I am SO tired of the typical aunties that are quick to calculate your age, your marriage years, your ability to have a child, your relations with your husband etc. all in one meeting. Like aunty, you should be starring in an ad for astrological predictions. You're wasting your talent (insert obvious sarcasm).

I am not sure if we can ever get away from this feudal thought process, but God, I hope that my future kids won't have to be a part of this.  I can only hope to raise them without values of patriarchy and gender differentiation.

A conversation with these typical aunties is so ridiculously intrusive, that it makes me want to question why we're even related. Don't get me wrong, there are the types of aunts that everyone needs - the ones that give you wisdom, encouragement, motivation and love. And, then there are the ones that have a void in their life which is why they constantly take joy in picking at other people's lives. Needless to say, I've come across a couple of them on this trip. Most of them don't understand why I "still don't have a child." (quoting directly)

There is no personal space in our country, lol. A conversation is an interrogation. You're asked more intimate questions than Karan Johar asks his guests on Koffee with Karan. Other people's lives are definitely of more interest rather than your own. Aunties complain about millennials being on their phone 24/7. I accuse aunties of being drama queens and living off of gossip 24/7. The kind of instant gratification they feel after a hot new piece of gossip is pathetic.

From the parlour aunties, to the aunties I met at other people's weddings to the aunties I've randomly met through other people - they know nothing about me. Again, NOTHING. But I must say - they had many opinions and questions for our first meeting (I am going to spare you the horrific details).  I am not a catty person - I listen from one ear and take it out the other. But it's really embarrassing to have to answer questions about your bedroom life.

Come on aunties, can we give that a rest already? Yes, I know I have a womb. I plan to utilize it at some point to make babies. And yes, I AM fat. I wear extra-large clothing. And no, I am NOT ashamed of my body. It's a work in progress, no matter how many years it takes - please stop judging. Also - no, I cannot cook. I hate making Indian food. If I could live off of frozen naans and rice for the rest of my life without ever having to make roti, I would. BOOM. There goes your shot of gossip for the day. Also, may I suggest not looking at life through a straw. Thank yoooouu :)