How to Avoid Answering Personal Questions

Are you a private person? How often is it that someone asks for too much information about your personal life? If you do not like to share your experiences with someone you don't know that well, then stick to your values and don't be ashamed to decline to answer.

The Pryor

Some people like to know everything about anyone. This ranges from nosey office workers to total strangers that you don't know and quite honestly would prefer they didn't speak to you at all. Clearly these types of people are like open books. They share everything and expect you to do the same.

Total Strangers - Some people are bold enough to start talking to you when they're at a store or in a waiting area. It's nice sometimes to make simple conversation but I've run into quite a few people who ask way too many questions and offer way too much information. Usually this is totally unrelated to your purpose of your visit or trip to the store.

Co-Workers or Acquaintances - People you work with every day can be around you more than your own family sometimes. Although this is true, it does not make them your close friend or relative.

The Private Person

If you're not the kind of person that talks constantly, usually you're a good listener and don't discuss your personal life very much. Sometimes that's because you're busy listening and don't have an opportunity to discuss your life. For others, the preference is to not share personal information especially with a stranger or someone you work with.

In most cases, your willingness to discuss your personal life is shared with a close family member or friend.

When you asked to provide personal information by someone you don't consider close to you follow these steps:

Divert the question - If you're with a group of people, you can act like you didn't hear the question and ask someone else an unrelated question. This is an easy tactic that avoids unnecessary conflict and embarrassment for the person asking these questions. This is also the chicken way out of the conversation.

Answer honestly - Do not feel like you have to avoid the question. Simply just state that you prefer not to answer personal questions. Usually this is not enough to stop the questions so if asked again, just say that you're a private person and prefer not to discuss your personal life. Tell them you appreciate their interest but you choose not participate. That should be enough. If the person does not understand the words coming out of your mouth, just refuse to answer. Some people are pushy like that. You should not be embarrassed or ashamed to decline to answer the questions being asked. You don't have to be rude about your wishes.

Warn them in advance - Usually you can tell if a person is the type that likes to talk a lot and ask personal questions. If this is the case then you might drop hints in other conversations about how you are a private person and would never discuss those personal issues with anyone. If this is said enough, they're likely to not ask questions in the future because they know you hold that stance so they won't waste their time or yours.

In conclusion, not everyone is an open book. If you are and you're reading this, keep this in mind and be considerate of others. Telling too much personal information can also come back as an avenue for others to discuss your issues when you're not present. This is humiliating. Keep this in mind especially if it's a co-worker. If you feel like you can trust someone enough, be sure that you can trust them and take the chances of humiliation just in case you find out they aren't trustworthy.

Share your experiences with those you feel close to and don't be obligated to anything else. Happy conversing!