Answering the rude, yet valid question.

"What do you bring to table?"

The question of what one has to offer in a romantic relationship has been on everyone's lips recently, with hot and delicious 'takes' flying about.

Now, let's face reality and put aside those unrealistic standards that the internet and peer pressure has set for whomever is willing to live by them.

As a person who intends to go into a relationship, you may or may not be asked this question. If you're bringing nothing to the table but always want to eat from the other person's side of the table, then your partner would soon pop the question.

A lot of people, especially women, find this question embarrassing, and whenever they get asked the question, they're left with no words. It is an embarrassing question if you're on your best behavior with the person and are not showing any signs of being a liability.

Let's talk about how to answer this 'weird', yet valid question. 

In answering this question, your age and background matters, and that would be the first basis on which it should be answered. If you're within the age range of 18-23 years, then this question would certainly sound ridiculous to you.

As a young adult, you're supposed to have dreams, goals and aspirations. At this age, it is quite impossible to have your life all figured out, but as a person, you should have plans. This is the age where you attain, a least, a first degree. Coupled with this, you should get a skill: a handwork or any digital skill you find interesting.

If you get asked this question by your prospective partner, you should remind him/her of your age. Make it clear that you're quite young and not expected to have your life all figured out, but you have quite a number of things going on with you, like education and getting a skill. Then proceed to stating your core values which would be vital to the smooth running of the relationship. State clearly that you're at the table with great interpersonal relationship skills, a shoulder to lean on when necessary and confidentiality. This is indeed all you can offer at this age.

However, if after stating these things, and your prospective partner finds them funny, then feel free to walk out on him/her, or if you're doing this over the phone, feel free to hit the block button.

No one should expect anyone within that age range to be able to offer much in a romantic relationship.

In fact, you should take offence if he/she thinks, and openly states that what you're offering is ridiculous. In my opinion, such a partner would always come forward with very unrealistic expectations of you. You do not want anyone putting unnecessary pressure on you, do you?

You can't be in a relationship with an 18-year old who's a student in a federal university and be expecting expensive birthday presents and a saxophonist.

Neither can you be in a relationship with a 23-year old guy, who's carrying out his youth service, and expect him to buy you a 30 inches human hair wig as a birthday gift, or get you an iPhone 11 as a gift.

This question indeed helps one avoid unrealistic expectations and demands.

Another basis on which one should answer this question is demand. When going into a relationship with the expectations of so much, you should be ready to also give as much. It is a partnership, so it should go both ways. If you're making really ridiculous demands, irrespective of your age, then you should be able to give valid answers to this question.

Demand doesn't always have to be monetary. Demanding too much of a person's time simply because you're in a relationship would have the person wondering what you have to offer.

This is one reason why everyone needs to have something doing with their time, other than talking or hanging out with their partners.

If you ask some people, they would say people under the age of 23 have no business being in relationships. While I disagree, I see reasons with them because they do not usually have much to offer. All they can offer is companionship and other things that seem like frivolities to older people. As a matter of fact, if you can't afford to cater for your primary needs, then you shouldn't be with anyone. No one wants a liability. I don't, and I know you also don't.

However, I know U23 ladies and guys who have healthy relationships. 

I must also add that as much as having money is important in a relationship, it doesn't have to be the main thing you're looking out for in that relationship. 

It should be on your list of qualities in a partner, but it doesn't have to come before other important qualities like kindness.

Let me hear what you think about this in the comments section.

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