Do you believe we have a Right to Privacy when it comes to Family?

Question

Hi, I'm 30, a Teacher, and I live a good, clean life.
However, I have certain family members who ask VERY Personal Questions to me and that makes me feel uncomfortable. Example, they will ask "how much money are you making", "does your best friend have AIDS?", etc?
I think asking questions like that is wrong--but they will keep asking me over and over. When I do answer them--they will immediatley tell other people.

I believe that I have a right to privacy---but my family members feel that we are "all family", and that I am "seceretive".Its because they are a bunch of gossiping blabbermouths that I dont tell them everything..How can I avoild Lying to them when they start asking personal questions--while being honest??!

Plus, what are you feelings about people in your family who ask personal questions ?? Is that good etiquette?

Answer 1

I would just tell them that this is not the time or place for questions like that. And every single time they ask, I would give the exact same response. They will eventually get the picture.

Answer 2

Family members are still just people and I don't tell my blabbermouth relatives anything I don't want everyone to know. If they ask how much $ you make, say "Enough". If they ask if your friend has AIDS, ask "Why would you ask?" You can answer without answering. If they probe further, tell them you don't want to talk about that right now and change the subject. You can also turn the tables on them. If they ask how much you make, say "How much do you make?" After they answer, say "WOW". If the ask if your friend has AIDS, ask "Why? Do you?"

Answer 3

You absolutely have a right to privacy. You simply tell them that you are uncomfortable with their questions and then change the subject. If they persist, leave. As Dr. Phil says, we teach people how to treat us. Once they understand that they will not have the pleasure of your company if they overstep their bounds, they will stop.

As an etiquette question, family members are held to the same standards as everyone else. Those questions are rude.

Answer 4

First, there is no such thing as a right to privacy, you only have privacy to the extent you impose it upon yourself. You seem to feel some compulsion to "be honest" and/or to somehow succumb to their questions, which I don't understand. If someone asks you a question you don't want to answer for whatever reason you just politely tell them "I don't want to talk about that," or "I don't think that concerns you." And when they persist you either leave or tell them to leave your house. You don't have to lie, and you don't have an obligation to be honest in any way on matters that don't concern them, you just have to be strong enough to tell them how you feel on an issue. And if they don't like it, too bad.

Answer 5

I have a sister like that. And those kind of people are big mouths. She asks me questions like that so she can go tell everyone & judge me for the kind of person she percieves me to be, maybe people like that tell people everything you say so Other people can see you Their way. Who knows, Spin Control maybe. What I did to remedy that is.....Not answer the questions. Explain why Im not answering. i.e (You have a big mouth and I cant stand telling you anything). Or dont associate with the nosey people. Family or not.

Answer 6

Since it's virtually none of your family's business or place to ask these questions, you have the right to respond by saying that is "not up for discussion" or "you are intruding".... because that is HONEST -- and they ARE intruding!

you don't have to be mean about what you say to them.. you can smile and be pleasant at the same time.

if you want to share personal information, i'm sure you will. meanwhile, you do have a right to privacy. if your family doesn't like it, they will get over it eventually i'm sure.

You asked -- my feelings about people in our families who pry into the business of others don't have the sense God gave a duck. ( =

Answer 7

my family is not nossy or likes to gossip.. my family is very honest and blunt... from the begining and when someone comes in who is the oppiste she/he is told from the getgo! Cause our life is OURS. Of course everyone has a right to their own opinion as well as to privacy, so it's all on u, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks! Respect... it works both ways... they should respect your privacy and u should respectfully let whom ever interferes or tries to envade in it that u don't appreciate it..... good luck, cause family drama will never end unless u stop it!

Answer 8

i have gossips in my family also....i just come up with standard answers when they ask how much money... just say not near enough for the amount of work. always the truth but very veg ... your friend.... just say dont know , or i have no intrest in knowing that they are rude but chances are they will never change...... so just be very veg

Answer 9

my family ask some personal questions but if i dont want to answer them i tell them straight its personal and i wont talk about you stick to your guns as if there going to go tell others u dont want friends or yourself to get hurt so talk about only what your comfortable doing

Answer 10

We tell each other a lot in my family, but what we say stays INSIDE the family.