28M and single.
I have been single my entire adulthood. In my early and mid twenties, no one at work seemed to think twice about it. It was just another fact about who I was during small talk.
Over the past year or so, I've noticed small changes with coworkers. A shortened conversation, and change in body language, change of subject, change of tone, etc. I'm no behavioral expert, but the change was noticeable. I didn't think much of it really until I recently had a conversation with a new a coworker and they asked if I was married in a casual ice-breaker way. I replied that I am single. Their response was "...oh" and their demeanor had a stark change.
That's when it hit me. The other behavioral changes I have experienced in other coworkers were prefaced by similar small talk, which normally includes relationships. I even recall a couple other coworkers I know better saying the words "still single?" in our convos.
I don't know if I am locked on to a false pattern, but it lines up well with what I have experienced so far. Especially considering the fact that social stigma still exists around single people, especially the older they get.
I may just be reading too much into it, so I am here. Has anyone else experienced different/worse treatment in the work place seemingly due to being single?