Why can't my personal life be private?

Question

My siblings continue to annoy me. They show up at my work (at a gas station where I run a register) and ask questions about my personal life that they have no business even asking. It isn't my wellfare that they are concerned about, they have never cared about bettering anyone's lives but their own. Why do they have to keep prying into my life? I have been hurt by their speculations and rumors before, and talked to them about this, but it still does not stop them. Why are they doing this to me and what should I do? At work I am professional, treating them with courtesy just like any other customer, but they abuse this too. I am under a lot of stress right now, and can't take much more. I am at my wits end. Please, any information on how to protect my personal life will be much appreciated.

Answer 1

OK, here is what ya try to do. Lay it out on the line for them. Tell them you will no longer tolerate them prying into you private life, that your private life is exactly what private means---no one elses business. And from now on if they continue to pry you will not have the time of the day to talk to them. They may not like what ya tell them but they will get over it. Also tell them should the rumors not stop you will be more than happy to see them in court on slander and deformation of character charges. Wether you take it this far or not (the court thing)at least if they truley think you are serious then it should stop.

Answer 2

ON THE JOB SOLUTION: Have family meeting with them and lay it all out on the table. In fact, I would subject that you have a written agreement with stiff stipulations stating that there must be mutual respect between siblings on the job. Take your time in writing the agreement so you wont forget important details. Make copies of the agreement for each one and have them read and sign it in your presence and how a neutural witness or notary public there to sign the agreements as well. Make sure that it is fully understood to all that penalties will be carried out if someone violate the terms of the agreement. If there is resistance among them to sign the agreement find a way to enforce it anyhow. I have a business whereas I must deal with famly members and I have had to use some tough actions to let it be understood that my rules/policy guidelines goes for ALL clients. Sometimes family member in business can be your wors headache.

OFF THE JOB SOLUTION: Some people are very private and that's okay. So when questions are asked that you dont want to give an answer to, just be firm and be straight forward in a respectful way. There's nothing wrong in telling family and others to mind their own business and stay out of yours. Just say in a matter-of-fact voice, "I prefer not to talk about that", if they keep pressing the issue, keep saying the same thing over and over until they get the message!

Answer 3

your personal life is just that, and if they ask you give them no information, keep you answers to them very short yes or no.. if they ask you a personal question, tell them that is you business and not theirs.. As for coming to your place of work, as with any customer you take their money and wish them a good day. if they hang around ask them to leave, as you are not allowed to entertain friends or family while working, if that doesn't work . tell them the company doesn't allow loitering and because of the cameras you will be forced to call the police. . or do what your company has set out in their rules about people who loiter, Remember you are paid to do a job and be professional so do it

Answer 4

OK first i got to say is ur taking things too seriously. i know that it may annoy you them continuously nagging about your personal life but you giving in and showing them that you are actually hurt and annoyed by there inquiry is like adding fuel to fire. i know it may be hard but you need to ignore them stick to short answers dont give too much away. if you fell that they are getting on your nerves and keep asking more question then just say i cant remember or i dont know at first this may be hard but as time goes along they will tend to give as they seem to be hitting a brick wall and if they get no emotion out of you it will be pointless for them.

remeber this is going to be terribly tough to do but if you stick through it you will reap the rewars.

Answer 5

The way you keep them out of your private life is.....keep them out of your private life. It's time you got good at a technique called deflection. Here's the deal; you'll have other people in your life who ask inappropriate questions too (co-workers, friends, neighbors) so you gotta get good at sliding by and turning it into a question about them. People love to talk about themselves. So they ask you "who are you dating?" you say, "oh just the usual, anyone new in your life?" They ask how much you earn, you say, "enough to keep a roof over my head, say, what's going on in your job?" If you say something direct, like, "I don't want to talk about that" believe me, it will bait them like honey to a starving bear. You gotta be smooth, finesse it, let them slide right by.

Answer 6

Make your stance on this issue real clear to them. I guess you have those really annoying sibling types. Be firm. But from what you described, it may be that they're used to you taking a lot of crap. Talk to them again...sternly!!

Answer 7

as long as it's called life so you should be expecting idiots, don't be soo senstive and try to ignore all what annoys you, it's your own life, live it the way you like it, no one would pay your bill in the end it's your own business.

Answer 8

maybe you could tell your boss/manager that they're bothering you and keeping you from your job, and maybe he will tell them to leave since they're not buying anything.