Dear Abby

Dear Abby:

I am a 31-year-old, unmarried male lawschool graduate who is looking for a job.

At every job interview, I am immediately asked, "Are you married?"

When I say no, I sense a negative reaction and lack of interest. I am sure that I am being discriminated against because I'm unmarried, but there is no way I can prove it.

I am not a homosexual. Art employers so bigoted that they won't hire bachelors on the remote chance that they might be gay? Otherwise, why do they ask this question?

A man's marital status is in no way related to his ability to perform the job. Surely all married men are not ipso facto more competent than single men.

So, what do you advise me to say when I am asked that question?

Dear Bachelor:

Irate Bachelor

Answer truthfully. It's possible that you are rejected for another reason. (Could it be that when you're questioned about your marital status, your obvious annoyance comes through unattractively?)'