"Most people feel obligated to answer even when they do not like either the question or the person asking the question."
Of course, there are some legal and medical questions that require an answer, but those are not the annoying ones.
It was in a supermarket that I overheard a woman standing nearby say to another, "I still can't believe what Betty asked me yesterday, I didn't want to tell her, but what could I do?"
So I told them John's advice and what she could have done.
1 ~ Do not answer, instead in a pleasant tone ask a simple question of her. ~ "Why do you ask?"
This unexpected response usually results in a flustered response of, "er, a, um, well."
You can quickly follow that by firmly stating, "Tell me, I really want to know." ~ If you do want to know.
Or if you have no interest in her reasons because what she asked is none of her business but you still want to maintain a relationship with her.
2 ~ Change the subject quickly.
Say something like, "I heard a clever riddle that I know you will appreciate, what stays in one corner but can travel around the world? I know with your love of travel (if she does) you would like this, the answer is ~ a stamp. Isn't that clever?" Then ask her about her vacation, a subject most people enjoy describing.
3 ~ Leave, just simply say 'I must leave now.' Then do so, no matter what she says.
I was in a store when I encountered a woman who had taken one of my adult school courses several years earlier. After greetings, she said, "May I ask you a question?"
"Yes" I answered.
"How old are you?"
I told her that I affirmed that all was well in her life.
She asked "Aren't you going to answer my question?"
Aha, there is now another question that will often distract from the first one.
I answered, "No."
"But I just asked you."
"You asked if you could ask me a question, to which I said yes you could ask me a question. You did not ask if I would answer the question that you next asked.
"Well, will you answer my question?"
"Which one?" I responded.
"Oh, never mind, nice to see you." she said as she went on her way.
You Need Not Answer All The Questions
That You Are Asked
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