Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how you respond to nosey questions

47 replies

MissUGirl · 02/05/2019 22:15

I have a new friend who I like a lot, but she is constantly asking me how much things cost. If she sees something new/different in my house she says "How much was that, then?" or if I've had my hair done or gone somewhere she asks "How much did that cost?" in a mildly accusatory tone.

I didn't mind this at first, but now I'm finding it really irritating. If I give a vague answer, such as "Oh, not too much" she will just keep asking until I reply.

Please give me your good stock replies to nosey questions!

OP posts:
Absofrigginlootly · 02/05/2019 22:17

Say “I don’t remember” ??

7Days · 02/05/2019 22:17

Sometimes I say Oh it was a bargain, got it on Groupon. But rarely have to.
She sounds a right dose.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 02/05/2019 22:18

Ask her why she wants to know.

BetsyBigNose · 02/05/2019 22:18

"That's a strange question - why do you want to know?"

DocusDiplo · 02/05/2019 22:19

Haha I knew a woman like this. She also asked "oh why dis you have to go to the doctor then?". Lovely woman but infuriating!

Fr3d · 02/05/2019 22:19

Turn it back on her? E.g. how much was your last haircut? How much would you spend on a couch? What did your table cost?

Or

Why do you ask?
I know it had a 5 in it...let me see, was it 50 or 500
Let's talk about something more interesting than money. How was your weekend?

Outanabout · 02/05/2019 22:22

"You writing a book?"

Whosthebestbabainalltheworld · 02/05/2019 22:24

Just answer it was Worth every penny and leave it at that. If she presses say you think it’s vulgar to talk about money

IndieTara · 02/05/2019 22:24

Tell her it's none of her business?

RomanyQueen1 · 02/05/2019 22:25

Trunky want a bun?

DanielRicciardosSmile · 02/05/2019 22:25

You could come up with ridiculous answers, eg "how much did your hair cut cost?" "£970" and "how much was your new sofa?" "£3.65".

Grimgle · 02/05/2019 22:25

I suppose "none of your god damn business" is out of the question? If you did it once, only once!, she'd likely not bother you again!
Or you could try "Fuck off you nosey bat"Grin

Mrsbclinton · 02/05/2019 22:25

Ive a family member like this, it drives me mad.
Some of the answers Ive given

A detective wouldnt ask me that
Dont worry its all paid for
Cant remember
Not that much
Loads
Mind your own business!

Tolleshunt · 02/05/2019 22:28

Ah, I never talk about money

Aimily · 02/05/2019 22:29

"free off the back of a lorry" is my favourite answer. Thank you to my daddy!!!

Fatted · 02/05/2019 22:29

I was going to say like others, make up ridiculous answers. So ridiculously over the top.

I used to work with a woman like this, everything with her was about money. She was planning her wedding the same time I got married and I never ever discussed the cost of anything. But you could guarantee that she would always ask how much something cost.

SarahMontague · 02/05/2019 22:32

I’d say it’s a bit of the green-eyed monster. I had a woman in my house a few times (play dates) and she’d look in the fridge to see where the food came from (caught her doing it). In the cloakroom she was checking the labels inside the coats.
She was utterly batshit though.
I think your friend probably has a different lifestyle to you, is fascinated by yours and can’t help herself.
But it’s exhausting for you.

Redshoeblueshoe · 02/05/2019 22:33

Aimily that's what I say, or I nicked it

Original poster
MissUGirl · 03/05/2019 01:00

Ha ha—thanks to everyone. Some great ideas here! I'm going to have to google the Trunky/bun reference.

It's definitely not envy in her case—she has more money than I do.

I think the next time she asks about my hair I will say it fell off the back of a lorry! And if she presses... nine shillings and sixpence.

Smile Smile Smile

OP posts:
IsYourGoogleBroken · 03/05/2019 01:03

In hushed tones …. "You know, it's really common to talk about money"

KC225 · 03/05/2019 06:22

I don't discuss the price just value - if want to be vague about the cost

House prices - discussing property prices is vulgar and provincial (actually said this loads of times whilst living in an ex local authority block)

And my favourite 'That's a bit personal' if asked something a bit close to the bone. Another one is. 'Go on, you first' invariably, they don't.

NoNoNoOohmaybe · 03/05/2019 06:34

Oh god I'm a nightmare for this - I really don't mean to be rude it's more interest if I see something I really love if I could afford it Blush. I have tried to be better tho as I've learnt from mums net that people hate it.

It just doesn't bother me if anyone asks me how much it cost, it's seems factual me? Like how big is it or does the kids like it?

JuniFora · 03/05/2019 06:46

I've met more than a few people like that. With them, I blank money questions and carry on talking about something else as if they never asked. If they push, look at them blankly for five seconds, shake your head and then resume talking about something else.

If they push very hard and demand to know why you don't answer. "I'm not going to talk about my personal finances with you, they're not your business". If she presses you on that "your obsession is very odd, I'm not engaging..." Then carry on as if they hadn't asked.

I've only had to tell someone they were odd once.

QforCucumber · 03/05/2019 06:51

I'm not going to talk about my personal finances with you, they're not your business see I find this response odd, if a friend has on a new dress, or has had their bathroom done for example I will admire, and ask who did it/where from and was it reasonable? That's not about their personal finances, that's interest in whether I could justify similar, or use their bathroom guy to tile our entire suite when it needs doing.

JellySlice · 03/05/2019 06:52

NoNoNoOohmaybe, on the whole I agree, but, when it happens all the time, or is supplemented by comments, then it's rude.