There are so many inappropriate questions and so many people, who ask them, that we could spend all day wondering how to respond them wittily. Let´s not waste our precious time and I will offer you several ones which work in different situations:
- “Sorry, I don’t discuss this topic with anybody who is not concerned. “
- Pause, smile, and answer with a question, “Are you really asking me that? “
- “I don’t make any comment on that. Let’s talk about something else.”
- Take a step back to get personal space and respond for example, „I am sorry, but I am not going to answer this question. “
And finally, a good advice for those who are parents already.
Please, start telling your children since their young age what are the appropriate topics to be asked about, and which are not. Children are experts in how to ask in the most inappropriate moment about the most inappropriate thing. They have the right to do it. Like my four years old daughter on the tram stop long ago. A very old lady captured her attention, so she watched her concentratedly for a while and then she asked, “Mum, why is the lady not dead, if she is so very old?” Unfortunately, despite her old age, the lady could hear very well. Luckily, she responded with humour, “You see, I am wondering myself every day.” So, the sooner our kids learn it today, the less often they will have to deal with nosy questions and look for answers to them.