I will usually change the tone of the conversation to something a little less personal without trying to appear rude about not answering their question.

It annoys me.

This might sound harsh, but I despise people like that. Certainly, there are people who innocently ask a question without realizing that it may be deemed offensive or could be taken the wrong way, and who choose their words more carefully next time. However, in my experience, people who go around asking very intrusive and personal questions do not give a damn as to how offended you might be by their rudeness - they are solely in it to be confrontational, or they are so socially stunted that they think their behaviour is fine. And they are generally the type's who become very angry if and when it is pointed out to them that their question is totally inappropriate and rude. Some of the questions I have been asked by complete strangers include: "You have dark skin. What are you?" "How much money did you just withdraw from that ATM?" "How come you went to the doctor and missed work? What's wrong with you?" My ex-boyfriend (who is Caucasin) was also asked, on one memorable occasion when we were at dinner, "What, aren't white girls good enough for you?" I rest my case!

Well, like justme30, I will take the polite route initially. If they keep on though, then I just explain that I am kind of a private person and I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. If the person is overly offended by this, then they are most likely NOT the kind of person that I would end up being long-time friends with anyway and they will probably just drop off... I have a lot of aquaintances, but just a few very close friends. I have trust issues and I tend to be a little more cautious than the average bear. My friends understand and accept this about me.

It bugs me when people do that because some things is best kept secret and these people push it and push it until it gets to a ridiculous extreme.

I D I O T S. I like to shut them up. "I can't believe you married _ _ _ !" [2nd hubby was 10 yrs younger than me] I said, "I can't believe you married your husband's BROTHER!" She was stunned. ARE YOU KIDDING? Her 1st & 2nd hubby were brothers! Her son and daughter were 1/2 siblings, and 1st COUSINS! "Hi. This is my stepdad [and my uncle]". I called Jerry Springer, she wouldn't go. The worst are the ones that should NOT be asking any questions. You can get tacky too if needed.

I dislike intrusive people and will either pretend I did not hear the question or just say it is not something I feel ready to answer. On a good day I will tell them it is none of their darn business

There is a spanish refrain for that "Menos sabe Dios y perdona." That means: God knows less about us and he forgives us. That might sound a bit rude, too.

intrusive & nosy people, asking personal questions:- Most nosy people are unhappy or dissatisfied with their own lives. There is often a real void in their lives and they have to fill it with the lives and events of others, Quite sad really! There are many strategies that you could try! Here are some : - You need to Practise them 1) Keep Pushing back the question to them (e.g. Q - "what are you doing this weekend?" A- "not sure, what are you doing?) 2) Answer questions briefly, with no explanation., avoid definite YES and NO answers. Do not "close" or "finish" questions". This will stop more questions coming and you will not be feeding the problem. Instead use humor, Vagueness, avoidance without divulging any real information. The person will give up when they realize they aren't getting proper answers. examples: Q) "are you going away?" A) not sure, don't know, be great if we could (AVOIDANCE, VAGUENESS) Q) "are you dating anyone" A) we all need somebody (AVOIDANCE), why have you got someone for me (HUMOUR), lines of them (HUMOUR) Q) "have you received any offers on your house" A) I leave it to the my husband, estate agents (AVOIDANCE), Its still on the market (AVOIDANCE) Q) "Is that a brand new car" - It's a lovely model (AVOIDANCE), i fell in love with the colour Q) are you working? A) all the time Q) where are you working? A) there's so much to do all the time Q) so what do you do Q) I do many things, i've got many skills (AVOIDANCE AVOIDANCE AVOIDANCE) Q) "Have you put on weight?" Answer: "well, i can't see the scales anymore" (HUMOUR) Avoid replies like: "thats a good question" as this encourages them to ask more personal questions. 3) Distraction,excuse or Change the subject immediately and Talk about something else. Q) "How much is your mortgage"? A) could you excuse me a second, my phone is ringing or I can't talk right now i'm in a rush, or ouch! my stomach... cramps! (anything really have a few ideas prepared). ** IN EVERYTHING HERE YOU ARE SUBTLY SENDING THE MESSAGES THAT YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO ANSWER PERSONAL QUESTIONS ( the other person may have not been aware that they were being nosy and you have helped them) 4) Send subtle (disapproving) verbal and body language messages, to show show that you are not happy with the questions. - Mumble, talk quieter and make it hard for the person to hear what you are saying - ....use (mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm), (yeeeeesssssss( ohhh well!) ..... as if you are thinking about the question (the silence will be equally uncomfortable for them)...then change the subject. - home in on one of the words and then answer a similar but different question (it will sound like you mis-heared them) e.g how long have you been trying for a BABY A) I know BABY's are so cute and cuddly). They may repeat the question but that would show how stupid and unobservant they are. - Just talk nonsense (e.g Q - Are you in debt? A) oh yes, i came out of the house this morning and could't get the car started - give the school-kid treatment "Nothing". What have you done at school today "Nothing", what did you have for lunch "Nothing". Body language: - Use all the facial expressions that you can think of to show disapproval. If you feel that you must be truthful Then keep your answers short and vague. I wouldn't say anything that sounds like your showing off or that things are better than they are. (The main cause of nosiness is that the person is unhappy with their lives) Other things to bear in mind -You may have to temporarily avoid the person If the nosiness is unbearable. But don't make the avoidance obvious. It's more about letting the other person know that you are a private person. -If you can't avoid the person then keep the encounter short & polite (as you do not wish to hold a "dislike" or "hate" to the person). Keep optimistic that the person can change. - model the correct behavior to the other person (i.e. don't ask intrusive questions to them). Ask gentle /unassuming questions (e.g. nice whether, nice day, oh nice to see the kids out playing etc. Last resort If the person's fails to understand your the subtle hints then you may have to be more direct and blunt, but try not to be rude. don't embarrass them , make them feel stupid or put them down Here's some Lat Resort replies (when you have just about had enough): - "No comment" "secret information", i'd have to kill you (HUMOUR) "That's a personal matter" "now theres a question, do i have to answer that?" "that's private" "please, you are making me feel uncomfortable" 4) No matter how tempted you are to overreact, don't do it. The idea is to stay in control of the situation. As soon as you start getting defensive or going on the attack, you are no longer in charge All this will take practice and trial and error. Don't worry if you mess-up. Go through each situation after the event and sort out what you should have done & what you will do next time. Before long things will become more and more automatic ***YOU HAVE GOT MY PERMISSION TO COPY AND PASTE AND RE-WRITE A BETTER VERSION, IN FACT I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO!!!!

Cant stand them Sarita - i back right off, dont trust them at all!!

I like it.... It's fun to talk to people like that because no matter what they always have something to say....

I am a very private person and I don't intend to change. I think it's rude for anyone to ask questions about you unless you've opened the door for them to know you and even then you still have to be in control of that too. Someone suggested to me to ask the prying person with a smile, "may I ask why you want to know"? A (smart) nosey person should get the point and move on. You also have to teach people how to treat you. Let them know their boundaries with no apologies. I have a nack for ingoring people and walking away. I know this can be rude, but it keeps me from saying things that could possibly offend someone. Unlike some people, I know my boundaries with people, and I know when a conversation is over. Nosey people annoy me to no end and they are usually the people you know the least about. Or want to know for that matter. I've never met an interesting nosey person in my life because they don't exist. I have a large scar on my thigh from a skin graph and when I'm sitting down with a dress on you can see part of it. I have had TOTAL strangers ask me if I was burned!!! If I'm in a good mood I'll allow them to keep guessing and never answer. Shortly afterwards they feel stupid and/or embarrassed, and then walk away. The nerve of people. They could care less. They just want your personal information as entertainment.

The last intrusive question asked of me was,"How much did you pull down?"It was his special way of asking,"How much money did you make?"I just told him I don't talk about that.It was kind of uncomfortable,but with practice,it gets easier.The way he asked that question told me that he knew that it's bad manners to ask anyone that.Another time I was asked my age and she responded by calling me a bitch.That's nice.

Did you read the National Enquirer? Enquiring mind want to know.