How to politely tell someone "it's none of your business."

[Dawnlight]

"Why do you ask?"

Turn it around on them and let them feel the embarrassment.

 

[PigletsPal2]

The late Ann Landers used to suggest a look of wide-eyed innocence and the question "Well, whyever would you need to know that?" Note "need" not "want." Works for me!

Queen Colleen

 

[anniemae]

I usually say something like, "I'd rather not talk about it" then change the subject.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I'm just a jerk I guess. If it's none of their business I tell them exactly that. If they get upset I tell them "you asked your question, I gave my answer."

 

[Hrhpd]

Laughingly respond:

"My Mama (or insert other relative) always taught me to never discuss religion, politics or my health in polite company." Then change the subject.

 

[scrapquitler]

"why would you even ask me that?"

 

[cornflkgrl]

If someone gets nosy...I just way overshare (even make stuff up or stage things) to the point that they are running away with their ears plugged and their eyes covered. Works well for nosy family. Stops the problem right away. They never snoop or pry again.

 

[tcufrog]

I like to ask "Why do you ask?" and "Why, are you offering to help?" When my pediatrician kept bugging me about when we'll have a 2nd kid I asked him if he was offering to come over and change diapers.

 

[Disneyland1084]

A. I was diagnosed yesterday with (insert terminal illness here) and I only have about three weeks to live. Will you help my husband pay for my funeral?

Thanks for making me laugh!

 

[pat fan]

"My Mama (or insert other relative) always taught me to never discuss religion, politics or my health in polite company." Then change the subject.

There's your problem. If they were polite, they wouldn't be asking!

 

[Skywalker]

There are lots of ways to politely say it..."I don't really want to talk about it but don't worry everything's okay", or "I don't like to talk about things like that but thanks for asking". No need to be rude back to them. Besides most people are only asking to make small talk anyway its not like they really care.

 

[Vijoge]

There are lots of ways to politely say it..."I don't really want to talk about it but don't worry everything's okay", or "I don't like to talk about things like that but thanks for asking". No need to be rude back to them. Besides most people are only asking to make small talk anyway its not like they really care.

No, they don't care. They're just nosy.

 

[Minniesgal]

I have this problem with my mother in law. She overshares everything my husband and I are very private and she gets very very offended that we don't what to share

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Explosive diarrhea. They say it could reoccur any time.

 

[CarolAnn856]

There are lots of ways to politely say it..."I don't really want to talk about it but don't worry everything's okay", or "I don't like to talk about things like that but thanks for asking". No need to be rude back to them. Besides most people are only asking to make small talk anyway its not like they really care.

Exactly! Unless someone makes a habit of being a busybody, then I wouldn't be rude in my reply. Telling someone who was asking out of concern or who was just making conversation "Mind your own business" is just as rude. Even "I don't discuss things like that" can come off as rude if not delivered correctly.

My reaction would be to minimize it with something like, "Oh, just some stuff I had to take care of," followed by a subject change. Or, as others have noted, humor can be a great deflector. But I would appreciate their concern and not make them feel bad for asking.

Now, if it was someone who did this repeatedly and just cared about the gossip and not actually care about me, I would probably be more direct.

 

[DopeyDame]

This is totally a "pass the bean dip" scenario.

Them:
Why were you in the hospital?
You: oh nothing to worry about. Could you pass the bean dip?

Them:
But is everything ok?
You: Great! Have you tried this delicious bean dip?

Them:
How long were you in the hospital?
You: gosh, not long! I really can't get enough of this bean dip!

 

[Lynne M]

"Why do you ask?"

 

[Cantw8]

If I didn't want someone to ask something personal about me, they wouldn't have any information to ask the question

 

[firecracker725]

"That's personal."

 

[TLSnell1981]

Silence and a stare down, then I let THEM change the subject