Class meetup next week - how do you get through them?

[LJay]

The major rule when caught in that sort of small talk is to talk about what they are talking about. In other words, talk about their kids. How many? How old? off to college? For younger ones, what are their interests etc. If people question you about family, etc., just say, "No kids. Haven't married." Leave it at that. Frankly, it is rude for them to pry and if they do, simply deflect with "Things haven't worked out that way for me. It does sound like you are happy and doing well, though." Then you change the topic. "Nice food, eh?" "Doesn't Inge look great." "Sorry, Hans couldn't make it."