How do you respond to personal questions you don't want to answer?

[sparklytoes6]

I may be strange to some people but I feel really uncomfortable when people ask questions about my personal life. It's fine to ask about my job, if I have siblings, where I live etc but there are some questions I find difficult.

For example when people at work ask me who I live with, how I met my partner, and then questions about said partner. I don't like being asked questions about my dating life. Is that odd? I know some people tell everyone their life story but I would rather not!

I wouldn’t give a flying fig to know about a stranger’s partner but any one of these obtuse answers gives a weird undertone that certainly wouldn’t make any curiosity go away.

If you’re looking to retain your privacy you’d be better off giving a bright and breezy generic answer that was closer to the truth ‘oh we met through mutual friends - how about you?’

What's the difference in you being happy to talk about your siblings but not your partner?

I find it more personal when people ask about where I live, because what they're actually trying to find out is how much I earn, or because they're thinking of having a nose (actually happened, I was vague about where I live but there are some landmarks).

This is hysterical but sadly impractical 😂😂😂

I agree, OP. In fact, I think any question about your family, where you live etc is too personal. I hate it when people ask me this stuff - I'll tell them if I want them to know! I honestly don't understand how people have the nerve to be so rude and intrusive.

I just answer as little and as much I want. Your under no obligation to answer anyone’s questions… if they push it just say I’d rather not discuss my private life.

I often get asked why I don't have children and I simply reply with "that's a very personal question" then leave a silence hanging. The question asker will always become uncomfortable before I do.

Sometimes I wonder whether the 'what does your husband do?' type questions are so the person asking can place you in the social class hierarchy. They want to find out whether you are worth bothering with, or whether you are one of the lower orders, in which case they will soon move off and ignore you from then on.

"I'm not going to answer that question."

Works perfectly every time.

I agree it’s to make a judgment on how well off you are, when asked this I just say the town I live in but that’s never good enough they want the street name as well!

The old chestnut:
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you haha.. But how about you? Do you live locally/have a partner/kids? (whatever they asked) and always answer a question with a direct question back.

A work colleague of a few years now recently asked me to tell him 10 things about myself 🙄
Brill! OK we'll take it in turns! You go first..What was the first concert you ever saw?... At the end of our chat he grumpily complained I had told him nothing except Mick Jagger's relationships and offspring (none of them with me either) 😂

My plan all along.

Absolutely! Code for how can you possibly afford that holiday/house/car.

This is the best one!