Saw a good way of shutting down nosey intrusive questions today

[GrumpyCatHasFleas]

The person simply replied, you ask alot of questions don't you.......

The nosey person looked really embarrassed, and flustered
And stopped and I thought I'd share it on here as this often comes up
How to deal with nosey parkers etc

Splendid suggestion.

Fab tip

Only works if you’re brave/assertive enough to say it though 😭

Yes, very useful to have a repertoire for dealing with nosey parkers.

Sometimes I say, "Oh, that's an interesting question!" And leave it right there. 😄

Wouldn't it be easier not to talk to anyone, what is the difference in people communicating with other and 'nosey parkers'?

Think you’ve misunderstood the point, but if you don’t have to deal with nose Parker’s then just be thankful

I think the point is that you might have something to hide... I don't see interested people as being nosey... I see them as being interested in me so wouldn't want to shut them down

“Why do you think it’s okay to ask that?” (With a kind of disgusted face) for rude questions

or

“That’s such a weird thing to say out loud” for unsavoury comments.

This, there’s also regular threads about people who monologue about themselves without showing any interest whatsoever in the person they’re talking to/at so nobody can win here can they.

"What makes you think that's an appropriate question?"

...works for me with really out of pocket ones. Especially if other people are in earshot.

Failing that, "Google it*" is the banker.

*Other search engines are available.

Eh..? If they are talking about themselves, they aren't being nosey are they?

It all depends on the intent though. Some people are just inappropriate or sometimes at a family gathering, people that usually just blank me suddenly get curious about me and will ask Qs which are ‘normal’ otherwise but I consider them intrusive from them as I know it’s for their own gossip/self serving curiosity not because they care.

I saw on here once: "oh that is a looooong story". And don't tell it.

I liked it.

So what do you do when they respond "yes I do" and continue to ask questions?

These pithy little comebacks such as "did you mean to be so rude" often work in one's head, but not so much if the person you're talking to lacks the social skills or self awareness to recognise that they're being annoying, which many "nosy" people do, even when they're hit with a witty one liner someone read on Mumsnet.

I mean, if you only have monologuing or asking inappropriately intrusive questions in your wheelhouse for social interaction, then it is a bit of a pickle, yes.

What's it got to do with you nosey?!

Definitely this. I have a vile sister whom I'm completely nc with, but when I'm unfortunate enough to be in her company she thinks it's totally acceptable to ask me questions about my job, home, relationship status etc. From ' normal' people these questions would be fine, but she's just after gossip and to use information to weaponise. I used to stutter and be truthful in these interrogations, but I've learned the trick is to completely fabricate and make up stories. Saying nothing or grey rocking her only results in her digging more intensely, so I now just feed her lines.

A good one I heard many years ago, is ‘If you’ll forgive me for not answering that, I’ll forgive you for asking it.’

Though TBH very nosey people do tend to have brass necks and are unlikely to be mortified.

Hard when people may be asking how you are or how your children are however

They have absolutely zero interest in you and don't wish you well! What on earth would you say to stop those questions??

Because they would say " how rude that's a perfectly normal question

I once asked a question that was considered rude and got the reply:
"A few people have asked me that and I always tell them to mind their own business"
I pondered for a moment and said, "OK, point taken" then changed the subject.

No, and people complain they’re utterly self centered and have no interest in other people.

Do I look like Alexa? Stop asking me so many fucking questions.

For those of us at menopause age with no fucks left to give.