collegegrad is actually right! In the past I was on the receiving end, as i was an older single and let me tell ya, we almost all had the same sentiment.
I’m all for what AYC said, but some of you just really don’t get it.
Let me explain it. If your best friend came over to you at the end of a chasunah, someone who knows you well, knows what you’re going through, and what you have gone through, and wishes you an emotional “IY”H BY YOU SOON!” not only would you not be bothered by it, you would only feel understood and appreciative of it .
Most people however who say it to you, it’s like a slogan, or a charity case. They scout out the Nebach’s in their eyes, Then make it their mission to give them their famous line, they don’t even feel who they’re talking to, or how sensitive the situation is.
The singles are at a wedding usually, QUITE AWARE OF THEIR OWN SINGLE STATUS, not only are they going through having mixed feelings of joy for the young couple, but at the same time pain for themselves when will I be Zoche to find my Basherte?
They also realize that almost everyone else who sees them is well aware of the fact that they are older and still single.
So what they really need is some halfhearted “IY”H BY YOU”
to REMIND THEM as if they don’t know, that they are older and everybody realizes that they need some serious help.
I am just as understanding as the next guy, maybe even more so,
but this is what happens when you are on the receiving end.
and even though this boy or girl will smile so widely and say Omein! Thank you so much! The bottom line is most people don’t
even really mean it so sincerely.
I mean, they want to make themselves feel better about the situation, so they go give a Big “IY”H by you” oh now I feel much better. I made the Nebach feel sooo good! Did you see how they smiled? “I am such a GOOD person.” Hello! were you even thinking about what you would say not to hurt their feelings?
Or were just trying to feel good about yourself, which i’m sure you accomplished. (Maybe not after reading this though.)
Now some of the self righteous ppl may say…
HOW can I say this?!!!
Was I so bitter when I was single that I thought everyone wasn’t sincere? I actually B”H wasn’t bitter, and I cherished every Brocha, maybe not the intent of some, never the less,
“Shelo Thei Birchas Hedyot Kal B’einecho”.
However, all I can say is this, Chazal say
“Devorim Hayotzim min Halev, Nichnasim El Halev.”
If somehow, many, and I mean “many” singles say the same thing,
that it hurts them and doesn’t help, that means people don’t have real sensitivity to singles, nor do they put themselves really in their shoes for the long haul, imagining what it would be like to be single for many years, having all their friend married, with kids, while and their own dreams are put on hold.
If these well wishers were really sincere, their wishes would be accepted with pure joy and appreciation.
The same way these shtible hoppers go to 3 Chasunas a week, pop in, say their Mazel Tov! and leave just a quickly, do they really FEEL the major Simcha of their neighbor, or are they just going through the motions?
This is especially important when the person your telling ” IY”H by you” Is not intoxicated with their own Simcha so as not to notice your insincere manner. This is someone who is clearly aware of their situation, especially amplified at this very moment when they are in attendance at someone elses Simcha, an occasion that they are still waiting patiently on line for a very long time.
So collegegrad; I remember, and I owe it to you and other singles,
as I never really expressed publicly what I, and my friends
have endured. Nor explained clearly to those who basically mean well though their actions are not though out clearly, or sentiment expressed sincerely.
May I say a heartfelt (**”* ** ***!)