When can you tell someone is just interested in your life verses when someone is nosey?
I dont have a major yet, so my mom gets upset when someone asks about my major or what I'm doing.
One day a lady I barely see comes us to me says hello, and then immediatly starts asking what year I am in school and what my major is and all that stuff. I feel stupid just answering the questions but really, she was the sweet older lady type. Can't just be rude.
Jeez...whats the deal with people being afraid to talk about stuff?
eh?
2007-03-01 06:08:55 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Your Mom is probably upset because she can't tell others your major and other information when other people can tell her about their teens major and other things.
2007-03-01 12:56:31 · answer #1 · answered by Sue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people are nosey.
In this case sounds like the woman is making conversation about something she knows you are doing - going to school. This is probably the extent of her knowledge of you and her question is reasonable. She is being poilite.
Good answer may be:
"I haven't decided yet, I have a number of areas I am thinking about. This is an important decision and I want to make sure I will be happy with my decision".
You get the drift. You are not lying and it is a polite and appropriate response. You can give this info to your mom, with my blessings.
2007-03-01 14:36:11 · answer #2 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A perfectly acceptable answer is, "How kind of you to be interested in my education!" and then change the subject, especially if you think the person is being nosey. Only the truly clueless would pursue it.
If they do, you can give a pained smile and/or non-committal "Uh-huh" and change the subject again. They will get the hint.
This can be applied to any subject that you do not feel is appropriate to discuss. Feel free to trot it out when the "So who are you dating?" questions come up.
2007-03-01 14:17:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do polite people discuss their major in coversation? Yes. Do they discuss their sex lives? No. One is a nosy question, one is not. If you don't like people asking, say something ambigious like "I haven't decided on a major yet" or "I'm just going for life experience right now".
And if the questioning gets really bad, I always like to turn it around:
Questioner "Why did you get divorced?"
Me "Why do you ask?"
Usually that shames them into admitting that their interest is salacious and unwarranted.
2007-03-01 15:33:36 · answer #4 · answered by cyranothe2nd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think people who ask questions...like what school do you go to, or what year, or what minor or major aren't being nosy. I think they don't know anything else to talk about that you may have an interest in...It's not like they know your music, or sports, or anything else directly about you for that matter. So to make small talk they ask these types of questions. Its the people who ask questions like...who are you dating...and sexual questions about your love life that you need to worry about...those people are NOSY!!!
2007-03-01 14:20:43 · answer #5 · answered by aprildin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just making conversation. You can tell the difference between nosey and conversation.
2007-03-01 14:16:20 · answer #6 · answered by Goober W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess she's just interested in what you're doing AND trying to make conversation.
2007-03-01 15:12:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think she was just trying to make conversation.
2007-03-01 14:12:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She's just being friendly. Cut her some slack.
2007-03-01 14:41:21 · answer #9 · answered by Kabu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they're making conversation or are concerned.
2007-03-01 14:28:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋