Are you dating anyone?

Argh. The most dreaded question of the holiday season.

Naturally, "Are you dating anyone?" carries tremendous awkwardness if you're single. You end up mumbling incoherently about being really busy or living in a small town or focusing on your career.

Meanwhile, the aunt who asked the question nods encouragingly while giving you a look that says, "Sure. Why are you really single?"

But "Are you dating anyone?" is just as painful if you've recently entered a relationship.

Answering "yes" opens a whole new set of flood gates. You're forced to describe your new significant other in a way that makes him/her seem like the greatest person in the world.

When it comes to answering the dreaded question, some people just grin and bear it. Others, however, are intent on beating the system -- offering a witty retort designed to permanently bury all relationship inquiries.

Here, Psychology Today's Living Single blog recommends you answer "Are you dating anyone?" with this line:

"No. Are you?"

Pretty good. What's your best response?