ANNIE'S MAILBOX Readers give answers for single question

Dear Annie: This is in response to "Not Single by Choice in Chicago," the 44-year-old woman who was offended when people asked why she never married. She is missing a valuable networking opportunity. She should use these inquiries to get her "dating resume" out to a wider audience and ask for referrals.
I always tell people, "I've been very focused on my career, and settling down has only recently become a priority for me. However, I am very interested in meeting kind, intelligent, interesting men who are also ready to explore building a life with me. If you know someone, I'd love to meet him." Practical in New York
Dear Practical: Useful, but it requires more personal information than most people are willing to give. Our readers had a few, um, different suggestions:
From Boston: By the rules of formal etiquette, the correct reply to, "Why aren't you married?" is: "Beats me. Why aren't you skinny?"
Titonka, Iowa: Here's my perfect comeback: "Why would I want to ruin a perfectly good sex life by getting married?" That usually shuts them up.
Wilmington, N.C.: My husband died in 1987, and I am happily living alone and loving it. When someone asks why I have not remarried, I say with a chuckle, "Because I have not found anyone who deserves me!"
Boston: Here's my reply, "That's an interesting question. Now let me ask you one: How much do you weigh?" Stops them every time.
Chicago: I've been a bachelor for over 50 years. Here are my responses when asked why I am not married: "Funny, you don't look like my mother," "After observing your relationship with your wife, I decided it wasn't a good idea to get married," and "Dang, I knew there was something I forgot to do!"
New York: I am a 75-year-old "unclaimed blessing" and have the perfect answer. "I have a stove that smokes, a parrot that swears, and a cat that runs around all night. I don't need a man."
North Carolina: A woman I know, when asked that question, replied, "I haven't yet met the man who deserves to be as happy as I can make him." One of my college professors told us there are worse things than having "Miss" on your tombstone.
Maine: To counter busybodies, I reply in true New England fashion with a question: "Are you writing a book?" I follow that by saying, "Make it a mystery."
Huntersville, N.C.: N.C.: Please tell the 44-year-old single woman to use humor as her weapon. Try, "Mel Gibson won't leave his wife," or "My first fiance ran off with the butler." Another approach would be to explain that she simply can't find a man willing to let her travel Europe every summer, buy a new wardrobe at her whim, or entertain that gorgeous young male model with muscles the size of Texas.
Denver: I heard a great line a long time ago. When an older gentleman was asked why he was single, his response was, "I decided I'd rather spend my life wanting what I don't have than having what I don't want."
Honolulu: I'm a woman, 61, who has never been married and never wanted to be. When people ask how come, I just say, "I never had to."
Spokane, Wash.: I'm a 49-year-old woman, soon to be getting married for the first time. I found the comment, "I'm between men right now," does the trick. It's humorous and tells people that you're looking but are not currently involved. Your writer is welcome to use it, because I don't need it anymore.
Blacksburg, Va.: I asked my wife's best friend, "Dottie, how come you never got married?" She answered: "Just lucky, I guess.".
Creators Syndicate