Thanksgiving week is upon us, which means that college students everywhere are looking forward to doing their laundry without using precious quarters, eating food that is homemade and not from the cafeteria and spending time with their families. However, deep down, there are questions your college student is dreading, so you should avoid asking them.
1. "What are your plans for after graduation?"
I'm not sure if this question is worse for the seniors who are already dreading adulting within the next six months or the poor freshmen who are just getting used to the college life. Either way, it's an awkward question.
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2. "So, you think you're going to use your degree in...?"
This question is extremely frustrating. Yes, we've all heard the statistics about how many people ACTUALLY use their degree. Yes, we understand that there is one issue or another with the field we are going into. We get it. But, it's our degree and we're actually going to school, so please don't use the patronizing tone with us.
3. "So, what's your GPA?"
It seems like you're genuinely curious, but it's so awkward. If your GPA is off the charts despite all the extracurricular activities you participate in and the charity you volunteer for, it sounds like you're bragging. If your GPA reflects the motto "Cs get degrees" then it's sometimes embarrassing to share. If your GPA is average, then you get the condescending answer about room for improvement. It's a lose-lose-lose situation.
4. "Have you put on weight?"
Luckily, I have never experienced this question firsthand, but several of my friends have. This is rude, makes the recipient self-conscious and makes the person who asked look like a total jerk. It's uncomfortable for everyone involved, so just don't ask the question.
5. "How is [person your whole family knows you don't like]?"
Look, if you know that we don't like that person just don't ask. If we don't like them, we're likely trying to keep them out of our lives, and unless we're offering the information freely, leave the topic alone.
6. "So, who did you vote for?"
We get it. You're REALLY hoping that somehow some of that irrelevant political information you told us when we were four years old stuck with us and now we are staunchly dedicated to your political party. But, we're in college. We're learning to think for ourselves and we're forming our own opinions. There is a possibility that our political opinions differ from yours. And besides, political conversations are generally just awkward. Let's not do that at Thanksgiving.
7. "Are you spending all your time on that phone?"
Honestly, if you're asking, you already think we are. But, let's be real here. We are connected to our friends through text messaging, that phone contains all our social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are all entertaining over the holiday breaks too) and (if you're like me) you have an app to track your food. So while it looks like you're off to the side texting furiously, you're actually looking to see where your macronutrients are at, how much sugar you have consumed and whether or not you can justify a heaping piece of that delicious looking pumpkin pie.
8. "Why aren't you eating? Are you starving yourself?"
Going along with this is any comment about being a "hippy granola freak" or "one of those vegan/vegetarian things." Look, I understand that there is a lot of great food on the table. But, with the diet changes I've made, I just can't stomach any more. I promise I'm not hungry. In fact, I'm so full I'm going to burst.
9. "So when are you and your significant other getting married?"
This is doubly awkward if their significant other is present. It's not your relationship, so keep your nose out of their business. We know you're snooping, even when you pose it as a joking question.
10. "So have you met somebody yet?"
I think this is the one of the worst questions. Because if it's asked to someone who's taken, there's the awkward moment of having to remind you about that significant other who they've been with for two years now. But, if they're single it's the awkward moment where everyone looks at them with unwanted pity. We'll tell you about our relationship status if we feel it's important.
11. "When am I getting grandkids/great grandkids?"
As a generation, we are having kids later. People are waiting on children so that they can travel the world, pursue their dream job or just enjoy life with their husband or wife without kids just yet. And there's nothing wrong with that. But, ESPECIALLY if the person you are asking is single, this is an uncomfortable question. And, let's be real, if you're going to ask me about this, I'm totally whipping out the album of 179 photos of my dog, forcing you to look through every single one of them and exclaiming over how much I love my baby. I call it payback.
So, as your college student comes to see you for the holidays, just remember to avoid these 11 awkward questions. I'm sure there are other things to talk about around the dinner table.
