Okay, so you're about to move to a foreign country for whatever reason, and you're super excited! You tell everyone who will listen about your plans, your job, and your living situation. After you have finished enthusiastically describing every last detail of your future life, you will inevitably be faced with at least one of these incredibly annoying questions:
Why would you want to do that?
Umm I don't know, because I want to? Because there are places outside of the US that are actually pretty cool, believe or not. Because I've been studying French for the majority of my life, and I'm still not fluent. This question always irritates me because whoever asks it, will never accept any reasons you give, and will always insist that life in the US is way better than anywhere else. So just make something insane up, and have fun with it.
When are you going to start your real life?
I guess I missed the part where this isn't real life? Because I'm going to be an au pair, or a nanny, I get this question a lot. I've learned that people view traveling and working non-professional jobs as a joke. Some people in this world just aren't meant to sit at a desk from 9 to 5 -- they want to explore, be adventurous, and experience new things. Maybe not forever, but maybe, yes, forever. Yes, I am a college graduate, but no I don't want to sell insurance or input data right now. However, that does not mean that I am wasting my life away and am not a serious person.
OH MY GOD HOW MANY SUITCASES ARE YOU BRINGING??
There is usually a follow-up question like: "Oh my God, how can you fit ALL your stuff in just two?? I would need at least seventeen." Nope just two, two is enough.
Are you coming home for every insignificant holiday on the calendar?
St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Fourth of July, COLUMBUS DAY?? Okay, I fully understand why people ask about Christmas, but when people are shocked that, no, I will not be home for my birthday or Cinqo de Mayo, I always wonder if they understand the concept of living abroad. There's no such thing as a quick trip home not to mention a cheap one.
When are you getting your car shipped over?
Okay, someone only asked me this question once, but it was by far the dumbest of them all, so it's making the list. There's not much you can say to respond to this except:
How do your parents feel about all this?
They actually want to lock me in the basement for the rest of my life and NEVER LET ME GO. Umm they're pretty cool about it? I'm an adult and even if they disapproved, there's really nothing they can do about it? They want me to lead a cultured, fulfilling life where I'm happy and awesome? I mean of course they're going to miss me, but it's kinda part of the whole growing up thing that we're all forced to do. I'm pretty sure everyone I've ever told about my plans has asked this with the same pitiful tone, so *ding ding ding* we have a winner for the most annoying question EVER!
So there they are! I'm sure if anyone else is in the same situation as I am, they hear a handful of these on a pretty daily basis. I'd love to hear more stupid/annoying questions that you've gotten or just know if I'm the only one who experiences this. I love comments!
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