The most important thing to remember is that responding to rudeness with rudeness rarely accomplishes anything. If you are already in the situation of having nasty neighbors, here are nine fail-safe strategies: 1. It's up to you whether or not you want to give them an answer, ignore them, or ask why they need to know whatever it is. Consult with a legal professional. ", While some people don't mind telling their age, others are often offended.

You may have to hurt her feelings, but protecting your privacy is more important. If possible, use humor to soften your response, and then change the subject. Look the neighbor straight in the eye and tell them you demand that they respect your privacy and expect them to stop such behaviors immediately. For times that you find yourself in the awkward position of being interrogated by a rude person, you need to arm yourself with some answers that will let him or her know that you consider the questions rude. You can't always choose your neighbors. Her work has appeared in "Imagination, Cognition and Personality" and "Dreaming: The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Dreams." Do not engage him in conversation, and hopefully, this will get him to stop his line of questioning. It can also make a bad situation worse, create hard feelings, and make you look worse than the person who asked the nosy question. For example, you might say, "We offer discounts to seniors, so when you qualify you can save some money.".

Hopefully, the person will get the hint. If possible, bring any evidence with you when you meet with the legal professional, in order to provide a comprehensive picture of the problem. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Henglein and Steets/ Cultura/ Getty Image. Proof can be collected by hiring a private detective or collecting photos or other evidence to support your suspicions. There are some rude things you should never say, regardless of the situation. Being a so-called "peeping Tom" is considered to be a kind of voyeurism and is illegal in most municipalities. Redirect the person by asking her questions in response, such as why she wants to know or needs to know. ", ”Do you realize how rude that question is?”. Call ahead and pick a time to talk. Let’s talk about something else. However, being the polite person you are, you might answer with something like, “I paid the going market value for houses in the neighborhood. Whoever she is, you need strategies for getting around her. You may answer the question and move on to another topic, but you don't have to. Confrontation should be done with safety in mind. The person might be a neighbor, a coworker or a friend. In addition, "Stephanie's Law" was signed into law in 2003 in New York after a landlord was caught videotaping Stephanie Fuller in her apartment.

State how you feel about having the conversation, how you would prefer if she didn't ask any more questions and then walk away.

Not only that, but these people often seem to think you are somehow obliged to tell them what they want to know.
Instead of wasting your valuable time, have a few standard replies that work in a variety of situations.

Your comeback should be said with a smile and an even tone. Lumi Images/Hudolin-Kurtagic / Getty Images. Don’t fall for it. When explaining your concerns to your neighbor, stick to facts and don't infer anything. Focus on something more relevant. Step 1.

If you’ve been dealing with this type of neighbor recently (or for an extended period of time), we’ve got several tips for how you can take back control of your privacy.
When someone comes right out and makes this terribly insensitive remark, smile and say, “I’m feeling wonderful. If you have children, start early and teach them questions not to ask. Although everyone slips up now and then, some nosy people seem to have a knack for always sticking their foot in their mouth or making some social faux pas. Your answer will be different if the person asking is a coworker than if the question is coming from someone sitting next to you on an airplane. Keep your conversations off of weight gain or loss. Install a …

Give one-word answers. Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. Collect evidence of your neighbor's spying behavior. One of the best ways to answer nosy questions is to turn it back on them. Here is another money question that doesn’t deserve an answer. How about you?” That should get the point across that you don’t want to honor the rude question with an answer.

Some nosey neighbors may take their prying ways to a new level and peer into your life through your windows, doors or even by using modern technology that is readily available. You have the right to deal with neighbors who invade your privacy. However, most people will be hurt if they are deflected rudely, so take that into consideration.

In other words, ignore him. State that you are uncomfortable talking about the subject and would prefer it if he would let the matter drop. To My Nosy Neighbor, There you are again, peering through your window at every sound we make, at every thing we do. There is such an abundance of rude questions – and people who ask them – that you could spend all day thinking of answers and quips. Another thing you might do is answer with a quippy, “Enough to pay my bills and have a little fun,” or “Not nearly enough to do everything I’d like to do. Armed with any evidence you have collected, going to the appropriate authorities also puts the responsibility of dealing with your spying neighbors in their hands. Simply state that you are taking care of the situation, and that should be good enough information for her to get by.

It’s a very comfortable house that felt like home the minute I walked in the door.” Quickly change the subject to let the person know you are finished discussing house prices. If possible, use humor to soften your response, and then change the subject. Turn away from the person and focus on something else. Certain rude questions tend to come up more frequently than others. Keep changing the subject until the person gets the message. Remove yourself from the situation. Let her think about what you said and how her actions have hurt you. Lynda Lampert began writing professionally in 2000 with the publishing of her romance novel, "My Lady Elizabeth." Smile and change the subject. Speak with law enforcement, your landlord or homeowners association representative. This question about money is quite common, even though it is considered rude and nosy to ask. Avoid rude or awkward questions with friends and coworkers. Even then, it's a good idea to ask in a polite way. 3. Some people just seem to think it is their right to ask questions about your personal life, your finances or your work. If you are on the receiving end, be prepared with answers that let the other person know what you think of his or her nosiness with as much poise as you can manage. Be Prepared . Here are some examples of how to respond: Debby Mayne is an etiquette expert and writer with 25+ years of experience. You have the right to deal with neighbors who invade your privacy. Some nosey neighbors may take their prying ways to a new level and peer into your life through your windows, doors or even by using modern technology that is readily available. It may be enough to discourage your neighbor from continuing to spy on you.

As with any other nosy question, change the subject. Her work has also appeared in the "Pittsburgh Tribune Review." If you are pregnant, chances are you have announced it to everyone you want to know.

If you are still single, tell the person that you haven’t found someone you want to spend your life with, but if you ever do, you’ll get the word out to everyone who needs to know.

Use direct, but firm comments to tell the person you are not interested in answering the question. Since the nosy person is being rude by asking the question, you don't necessarily have to be nice.

However, if the questioner is just a nosy busybody, say that the minute you said your wedding vows, you considered yourselves a family. Banar received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Buffalo State College and her Master of Arts in mental health counseling from Medaille College.

Many single men and women in their late twenties and early thirties have heard this one. How to Respond to a Compliment From a Guy; How to Stop Female Facial Hair; How to Write a Letter of Remorse; How to Keep Someone From Monopolizing a Conversation ; How to Explain Something Clearly; Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images .