Conversations about Marriage

These happen all the time at sari bari or when I’m visiting in the Gach.  All. The. Time. I have lost count of how many times I’ve answered the same questions.
Are you married?

Why aren’t you married?

What do you want in a husband?

Will you marry a Bengali man?

Can I arrange your marriage?

And sometimes it’s just a statement…"you're going to come to lunch at my house. We'll sit together and cook. You will wear a sari, and then we'll walk around and I’m going to arrange a marriage for you."

A couple weeks ago  I got to be a part of this funny conversation…

B – Oh Moushumi, when are you going to get married.

M – I don’t know.

B – Will you marry a Bengali man?

M – no.

U – Why are you asking her about her marriage? If she gets married she’ll leave. Do you want her to leave?

B – No. that’s why I said she should marry a Bengali man. Then she’ll stay forever.

U – she’ll get married in 20 more years.

B – What?! No!! if she waits 20 more years she’ll be an old woman.

...and then laughter.