Nos(e)y People - An interesting read

from www.howtodothings.com

Quickly change the subject. As soon as a fresh volley comes your way, deftly dodge the bullet and, in an abrupt shift of conversation-mode, glance in another direction and excitedly say something else, like, "Oh what a nice outfit! This color is one of my favorites!" Or, "Would you like something to drink?" Or, "Let me check what the baby is doing." Proceed to talk about the new subject.

Break off eye contact. Proceed to get up (if you're sitting) and walk to another place. Rummage through your handbag as if you remembered something. Pick up the newspaper or magazine and leaf through it. Take out your cell phone and go through your text messages.

Answer a question with a vague answer. You could learn to answer, "So what is your husband's salary?" with, "The same as others in his position," or, "Oh, he's doing just fine, why don't you ask him?" This method does not work with the stubborn variety of inquisitive people, though. They just continue asking with even more persistence.

Take a deep breath, and keep silent. No one can force you to say something you don't want to. Let them keep asking again and again. If they don't get an answer, they will hopefully take the hint and stop.

Demarcate boundaries. When such people call on you, keep the rest of the house dark, and limit their movement to the living room. Don't give them chances to move around near the bedrooms, bathrooms, closets or the kitchen -- because if they do, they'll just get more fodder for their curiosity. You can keep new items you have recently bought out of sight, for the same reason.

Minimize social interaction. You could opt to only sparingly include such people on your guest list, so that you see them only as much as you can handle. The intention is to keep the relationship intact; since they are unable to change themselves, they risk ruining their relationship with you permanently if they meet you too often. It is best to keep house calls, phone calls, and social meetings with such people to a minimum. That could be weekly, monthly or the chance meeting; it depends on you.

Don't show too much interest when they gossip about others with you. If you lap up the latest news they dish out about others, you are not helping their case -- you are worsening it. When they start talking about others, don't take interest. Apply the above tips to the conversation then as well.

Be upfront. When all else fails, just go ahead and tell them, directly but tactfully, that their curiosity turns you off and you'd rather they did not ask you such personal questions. In time, maybe they'll appreciate the favor you've done them.