…so you’re single….?

At least once a day this is the conversation I have, most often at bus stops.

Me “Good afternoon”
Person 1 “Good afternoon”
LONG PAUSE
LONGER PAUSE
Person 1 “Where are you from?
Me “England”
Person 1 “Ah, the United States”
Me “No, England, in Europe.. long way from here”
Person 1 “Ahhhh”
Person 1 “They speak English in England?
Me “Yes”
Person 1 “Which is better the English there or in the United States”
Person 1 “England, [they say] it’s purer there”
Me Could be
Person 1 “Are you single or married?”
Me “Single”
Person 1 “Ah”
LONG PAUSE
LONGER PAUSE
Person 1 “What does your boyfriend in England do?”
Me “I don’t have a boyfriend”
Person 1 “Your family are here?”
Me “No”
Person 1 “How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Me “One, sister”
Person 1 “Older or younger”
Me “Older, she’s 32”
Person 1 “How many children do people in England have?”
Me “Usually 2 or 3 but quite often a few more”
Person 1 “Ah”
PAUSE
SECOND PERSON ARRIVES
PAUSE
Person 1 “She’s from England.. single.
Person 2 “Ahh..”
PAUSE
Person 2 “What does your boyfriend in England do?”

Maybe I do have a boyfriend.. just no-one’s told me who he is?!