College Voices
This Woman Creates A “Why I’m Single” Brochure To Brilliantly Shut Down Small Talk At Cousin’s Wedding
Melissa Croce made brochures to hand out to family members at gatherings with the purpose of avoiding awkward conversations about her personal life. Her project started when she was joking with coworkers about creating this brochure to give out at her upcoming cousin’s wedding where she would undoubtedly be bombarded with questions she wished to avoid.
“There were many family friends who I haven’t seen in a long time, and — not to overestimate my own importance at my cousin’s wedding — but I was kind of dreading the small talk associated with the event, which I knew might consist of answering the same questions over and over: explaining my job, my life in New York, and why I’m single,” said Croce.
The brochure cover includes a picture of Croce’s face next to the words: “Who’s that girl. So you haven’t seen Melissa Croce in a few years here’s a primer. She’s beauty and she’s grace, she’ll say it to your face.” The brilliant humor throughout the brochure transforms the read into a hilarious adventure.
A similar pamphlet was created a few months ago by a comedian, Mary Beth Barone. Having the same reason as Croce for creating such a thing, Barone printed out a pamphlet that answered every question she would be asked by her family when she met up with them in the near future.
Barone’s pamphlet included frequently asked questions like, “Who is this guy?” (“My friend Sam’s brother.”), “Are you dating?” (“No, we’re just getting to know each other.”), and “What’s the parking situation in Miami?” (I’m not sure but it’s going to be OK.).
Crocer has received tons of positive feedback on her brochure and many commission requests by her twitter followers asking to have personal brochures made custom.
“People loved it! Many wanted me to make them one for their own family events. What surprised me were people online who related to it and told me so, especially those who seemed to feel a bit like outcasts in their families. I hadn’t thought about it when I made it, but this is definitely a relatable thing — going to a big event and exposing the basics of your life to people who mean well, but are also strangers in many ways.” said Croce.
Crocer has used her creativity to change the way people experience family gatherings. These brochures and pamphlets could be the beginning of a new strategy for updating pestering family members.