Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

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:

JuniFora · 03/05/2019 06:57

QforCucumber; but it's not a response to a normal friend asking a question. It's a response to someone who's obsessed with the price of everything. With someone like that, unless you want to spend every time you see them detailing how much you spent on everything they see around you, you need to make that a no go area.

NameUserChange · 03/05/2019 07:49

"How much was that then?"

Response:
"Are you thinking of getting one/going there then as I can recommend it!"

"You'd be surprised what bargains you can find if you look around"

"What I can afford"

b0bb1n · 03/05/2019 07:56

I hate personal questions, I'm very private and I get uncomfortable with any personal questions at all. Honestly, even 'how are you' I'd rather do without most of the time. I'm pretty good now at giving accurate but vague responses.

pineapplepatty · 03/05/2019 08:00

How much did it cost? Oh way too much but I'm worth it. !

Charles11 · 03/05/2019 08:00

Just laugh and say ‘oh I never the know the price of anything. I just get my card out and pay’

ems137 · 03/05/2019 08:02

I probably ask questions like this. It's definitely not in a nasty nosey way, it's usually because I like what you have and want to know if I can afford similar.

Or like with a hairdresser I want to know which hairdressers are good and worth paying for. I don't mind paying loads of money for a good hairdresser but hate paying good money for a shit one.

I honestly didn't realise it was rude to ask such things. I wondered why my dad pulled a face when I asked how much his newly landscaped garden cost (only because ours needs doing too and I have no clue at all as to how much it would cost!)

Id never ask about someone's wages or earnings because I know that's weird in the UK

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 03/05/2019 08:04

How much was that?
Not sure...
How much was that?
Do you know I can't for the life of me remember
How much was that?
Too much!
Politely shut the conversation down as quickly as you can,anyone with an ounce of sense will realize after a bit!

Original poster

MissUGirl · 03/05/2019 09:30

Great suggestions! Thanks everyone.

The first couple of times it happened I thought it was because she might want to purchase similar/same items for herself. Then I realised it was just so she could shake her head in a slightly disapproving/shocked manner.

It sounds as though I don't like her but I actually do, apart from this very annoying trait, so I don't want to say anything that sounds hostile.

Going off to practice my blank stare now…

OP posts:

RuggerHug · 03/05/2019 10:39

'Don't know, I just whacked it on the card'.

MsMarvellous · 03/05/2019 11:49

I either answer honestly if I'm not fussed or just say "it's none of your business' if I am.

willywillywillywilly · 03/05/2019 11:55

Trunky want a bun?

Ha love this!

Original poster

MissUGirl · 03/05/2019 11:58

I wish I was better at shutting conversations down. That would be useful in so many situations.

OP posts:

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 03/05/2019 12:00

"Trunky want a bun" = To poke your nose into something or to be nosey. Shortened version of "trunky want a bun?" - where trunky is an elephant sniffing out a bun from someones pocket. From the Urban dictionary.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 03/05/2019 12:02

I would reply with another question:

Why do you want to know?

Why do you always ask that?

Do you just want to tut about how much I spent?

Basically - she is not worried about offending you either by her questioning, or her response to your answers, so you don't need to worry too much about offending her.

Karwomannghia · 03/05/2019 12:03

I would just answer and elaborate if it was especially cheap or expensive. I don’t mind nosy questions!

RomanyQueen1 · 04/05/2019 13:59

Hi OP, they used to say it when I lived in Norfolk.
Elephants have long noses (trunkie) it means sticking your trunk in/ long nose.

bungaloid · 04/05/2019 14:07

I don't mind these kind of questions. My only occasional defence is saying "reassuringly expensive".

FriarTuck · 04/05/2019 14:29

'Oh I don't pay for things, people gift them because I'm soooo important'
'Nothing, I pinched it from a neighbour but don't tell them'
'Oh I have so much money I don't really notice prices.'
'It is lovely weather isn't it' - you could have some real fun with giving a completely different answer to every question she asks!

Still18atheart · 04/05/2019 14:32

It was a gift; oh paid for it. Why do you want know. Are you thinking of changing hairdressers?

StillCoughingandLaughing · 04/05/2019 15:07

Tell her you’re a millionaire’s concubine and you just have to snap your fingers and he buys whatever you want.

ElsieMc · 04/05/2019 15:08

Had a former colleague like this. She would ask my friend, who had lovely taste in clothes, how much things cost and when she told her she would always reply "God, I would never pay that much for a coat/dress..." Eventually friend responded "Yes, I can see that".

Just tell her to stop asking the price of everything, its rude and intrusive. Ask her why she needs to know.

tillytrotter1 · 05/05/2019 08:05

MYOB, nothing else, if that doesn't work Oh, far more than you could afford!

Flip

1 2