Your family is at a dinner with some aunties and uncles.

You know, the ones who always ask what you’re doing, and not just out of concern.

Wait, 'aunties' and 'uncles'? I need context.

Any adult appreciably older than you may be referred to as 'uncle' or 'aunty', regardless of whether they're actually related to you or not - in fact, this is the polite thing to do. Market aunty, bread-seller uncle, roti uncle, family friend aunty...

In this case, they happen to 'know' your parents, but not you. Despite this, they're about to express great interest in what you're currently doing with your life.

Ah. Those. I've been there before. Now what?

AUNTY:'So, she just came back from studying overseas?' UNCLE:'How was it? Much better than home, eh?' PARENT:'She can tell you about it.'

YOU:'Well, yes. There are many things that I like about being there-' AUNTY:'Oh, good, good, that's very good.' UNCLE:'What did she study? Law?'

Biochemistry.

Biochemistry, but actually, I-

AUNTY:‘Well my son here just got back from studying MEDICINE in IRELAND!’ UNCLE:‘And he graduated with FLY-ING COLOURS. Top of his class, ya?’

AUNTY:‘He’s going to be a DOCTOR.’ UNCLE:‘Young people like you, becoming scientists and doctors, good for us.’

...okay. (ask about son, letting them speak for half an hour.)

AUNTY: 'He's going to be a gyneco- lolo- gist.' UNCLE: 'Always a demand for those, so confirm he'll never not have work...'

You found a quick way out of the conversation. Live to fight another day, eh? Unless you insist on continuing.

Actually, I'd prefer a career doing art.

AUNTY:‘Oh? But she didn’t study it, did she?' UNCLE:'Is she going to spend time getting another degree?'

AUNTY:'Anyway. Art can just be a hobby.' UNCLE:'You can always come back to it when you retire.'

AUNTY:'Make money first (like us)' UNCLE:'Then you can do what you want.'

Oh, no. No. (argue, throw down. You've had enough of things like this.)

...sure. (deflect conversation, because you feel arguing further would be pointless.)

AUNTY:'Aiyah, why art? You can find lots of jobs with your science degree.' UNCLE:'Focus on what you know for now. Be practical first, ya?'

You have escaped the conversation UNSCATHED, but UNEXPLAINED. You could jump back in, but why would you do that?
Your nasi ayam's getting cold.