Excusing awkward questions.

I normally either try to change the subject or reverse the question and ask it of them. If they answer, then I will continue on trying to keep the conversation about them, and that usually works. If they do not want to answer, then I will ask them why they would think that I would want to answer a question that they do not want to answer, and that usually works as well.

I would jokingly, but making a point of it, that these questions are personal... something like "wow, getting pretty personal there aren't we, want to know what i had for breakfast too? haha haha" and laugh off the question... can be awkward, but works

A well known advice columnist had what I thought was a good solution, so maybe it will help.She said to look the person right in the eye and ask them "Why would you ever ask such a personal question?" and they would stop, because you now have them having to explain themself instead of you answering. There are other ways to say it that are a little more forceful, like: "Why do you think you are allowed to ask this kind of question?" or "Surely you did not mean to ask such a rude question?" You give them the benefit of the doubt, tell them that it is not the kind of question you expect to answer.

A stranger asking personal questions is not polite, so I will not be polite and will not respond to make him understand that he is not polite. I don't ask personal questions to strangers. I did it once by accident on a quiz site where I play daily... and got an even more personal question in return: it is another way to show that the question is uncalled-for.

I would have to say that if it is a stranger asking the awkward and or personal questions that I would politely say that I am sorry but I do not want to discuss such questions. As long as I am polite I figure it would not be harmful to say this as I am a personal and private person and a stranger does not really need to know my details, is my thoughts.

i am an enclosed person.. so when someone is persistent to ask question i simply be myself, i'll be honest and kind at the same time and tell that person that i'm not comfortable with the situation, i'll say sorry and smile.

First of all, they are a stranger and it is rude of them to ask these personal questions. Just excuse yourself or change the subject. Make it obvious you are not going to answer. You really do not want to tell vertual strangers things you could be sorry for later. THey need to have better manners and you need to be firm on person boundaries.

Hi Lore First definitely I would wonder why a stranger is taking some deep interest in my personal life! Maybe s/he wants to befeind me. If I sense that or anything good to happen between us, well, I might be an open book. Though it is not always like that and I am quite reserved in first meets, but there are situations when you cannot avoid to be open - Example - You are in an Interview or even you are consulting a new doctor for the first time. So I think one has to judge and then decide whether to be open or stay closed. But yes, if I do not feel any need, I would prefer to remain closed and ask why such questions are being put to me in a polite way (again if I need to know).

I think you have the right to say that your are not at ease to answer personal questions especially to strangers you've just met.You could politely say excuse me , next question please but please not too personal. Divulging personal information to a friend is sometimes hard what more to strangers.

I guess you need to learn the art of dodging and redirecting questions. I always have a hard time when people ask me personal question so I tend to try to redirect the question or focus on an objective issue - like the news, the event or the weather. If you can, try to ask some personal questions as well in a very skillful manner - this usually works for me especially if the person asks too much personal questions and if I consider the person is too persistent to my liking. If I'm really irritated, I usually make up some excuse with a very sweet smile (so much that I wish that the person will have a toothache after) to get away or to escape the event entirely.

hi:) I always want to be polite most especially to strangers, I try to answer questions they ask, but if I think that it's already too personal I'll escape the topic,I usually change the topic or I would say that I need to do something important and I'm in a hurry, some people are just sometimes so annoying that even it's not appropriate for them to ask that kind of questions they still ask.

I'm not really good at opening myself up to personal questions, it makes me vulnerable in some way. If a stranger were to ask me any types of personal question, I would only answer the question to a limit and if there's no surface to my answer, I would just say - Sorry, but you'll probably know that someday once you get to know me better.

I think, it is impolite to a person you just meet to ask you a personal question. I mean, hello, why you ask me of personal question? Are we close or something? If this happen to me I will definitely raise on of my eyebrows to that person and I will directly tell him "I will not entertain your question because that is too personal". There is nothing wrong of telling that to the person. For me, it's okay to tell him directly so that he will not do it again. No one would be glad to answer personal questions especially when someone ask you is a stranger.

u look at the person int he eyes, smile, then say why are u so interested?? that will shut him/ her up!!

hi lore I hate that as I am not that open that I want to bare all my soul to someone I barely know. My son okay my best friend okay but that is it. I have to be close friends with someone before I share personal information.So if a person is questioning me and refuses to stop; I am very gentle. I will just say\," I am sorry but those questions are making me uncomfortable. Do You mind not going there? WE can talk about something else instead.

I don't like answering too many personal questions on first meeting, so I tend to deflect them by giving very short answers and changing the subject. I don't ask them of strangers either. Once I get to know someone, that's fine, but not at first.

I am pretty open, but if it goes on to long or becme to invasive I just smile and shake my head no. If you don't open your mouth, nothing can come out.

Oh my...I bet that was uncomfortable. I am a pretty private person and not a big fan of personal questions when I first meet someone. I am also one that would never dare ask such things. If they want me to know something, they will tell me and if I want them to know something, I'll offer it. I have been in situations like that before and I might start out by answering in a vague manner. If they are persistent, I'll try to change the subject and if that doesn't work..I'll just tell them..in a light manner..."that's a little personal isn't it?" They usually get the hint after that.

If I am asked some personal questions which I do not find comfortable answering, I straightforwardly tell the person that I'm not comfortable discussing personal details and I hope he/she will respect my privacy.