21 Witty Responses To "Are You Single?"

If someone is scratching their chin and philosophizing about your single life — whether it's good, or bad, or if you'll "ever find someone" — philosophize right back.

"This is a cute yet profound response, and quite endearing to any thoughtful person," Vanessa Ringel, a relationship coach, tells Bustle. It'll help them subconsciously realize we're all in the same boat.

Sometimes ridiculous questions call for equally ridiculous responses, Shannon Gunnip, LMHC, BC-TMH, a licensed mental health counselor, tells Bustle. Let them imagine you sitting at home Photoshopping photos and tricking strangers into wiring money.

This response is a great way to "effectively communicate your positive perspective on your relationship status," Assar says, especially if the person asking thinks being single is a bad thing.

It'll remind them it's a personal choice, Assar says, instead of something negative that's "happening to you."

If your family is rapid-firing questions your way, simply hit them with this witty line and change the subject, psychotherapist Christine Scott-Hudson, MA, MFT, ATR, tells Bustle.

"You do not have to defend or explain your singlehood to anyone," she says. "Keep it light, keep it funny, and keep it moving."

"This response brings awareness to the fact that whomever it is asks you this question way too often," Acamea Deadwiler, an author and dating expert, tells Bustle. "They're guaranteed to think about that before asking again."

Another one for the folks who ask too often, Deadwiler says, like prying aunts and "concerned" siblings. It sends the message they really need to chill.

Say this while you smile, glance down bashfully, and then back up into their eyes. It's a playful way to turn the tables, Ringel says, even though you're just joking.

The cleverness of this response will deflect the question, Ringel says, and subtly hint it's time to change the subject.

Want to be off the charts cool? Then say this. "It is short, it’ll make them laugh, and leave it with that," Liam Barnett, a dating and relationship coach, tells Bustle. "They won’t go any further."

Drop that, then launch into an overview of all the amazing things you've been doing lately, Barnett says, like work projects, hobbies, etc.

"Showing them you’re happy and confident with yourself, and you’re looking for someone — yet being a little picky because you know what you deserve — is a good way to end the discussion," Barnett says.

Say this while laughing, or while staring daggers over your wine glass. "It’ll make them question themselves about the question they just asked you," Barnett says.

If you're feeling cornered, don't forget that "humor dissolves tension well," Karolina Bartnik, a dating and relationship expert, tells Bustle. "At the same time, it allows you to dodge talking about something you aren't comfortable with."

If you can turn an awkward situation into something comical, Bartnik says, go for it.

Say you're in a committed relationship with yourself, with cookies, with a certain Netflix show — whatever feels funny or true in the moment. "This comeback creates common ground and gets them to think outside the box," Ringel says.

Again, flipping the question back on them is a great go-to.

"This comeback underscores the double standard of single people having no privacy whatsoever from probing friends and relatives, while taken people get let off the hook from having to air out their entire love lives," Canwen Xu, a relationship expert at EQ, tells Bustle.

Asking someone to explain their question is a surefire way to make them feel silly for asking.

"It forces the other person to dig themselves into a deeper hole," Xu says. "They will feel pretty awkward having to explain why they’re so curious about your relationship status. In the midst of that awkwardness, they’ll probably have to also acknowledge that their question was pretty rude in the first place."

This response makes it clear you aren't interested in dating just to date, Scott-Hudson says, but that you want to find the right person for you.

According to Tammy Shaklee, an LGBTQ relationship expert and matchmaker, you'll want to use this comeback for those who have a glisten of concern in their eyes.

Say this while casually putting on your sunglasses, Jade Bianca, a dating expert and matchmaker, tells Bustle. Because who doesn't want to be the cool aunt?

To really drive home the fact that you're OK with being single for the time being, use this line.

"It suggests you have your options open and you do not have to accept the first person who comes into your life," Tarra Bates-Duford, Ph.D., LMFT, CRS, CMFSW, a psychologist, tells Bustle, as well as the fact you're enjoying focusing on yourself.

And for anyone who's asking why you're still single, that's a great message to send.