Someone asks a question you just don't want to answer. It could be for any reason. Maybe you don't want to "go there" and get involved, or think they should figure it out by themselves, or they are asking so they can get you to be their main reason and excuse for doing something.
Whatever the reason you have to answer back - and address the question (you can't say I don't want to asnwer this or figure it out for yourself) - you just don't want to answer their question.
Maybe theres a great response out there that I just haven't figured out!
Thanks for any help with this!
2007-03-19 03:05:42 · 10 answers · asked by Sarah S 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
If you don't want to answer a question just say so, don't beat around the bush.
2007-03-19 03:08:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The direct answer to your question is no. Evading a question precludes giving an answer.
However, you can still give a response, which is a bit different. All those reasons you gave for evasiveness are valid responses:
"I'd rather not get into that right now."
"That doesn't concern me."
"I think you know the answer to that question already."
"What do you think?"
"If you say so..."
It sounds like you're being pressured into appearing to agree with someone where you don't; or that you're being manipulated into justifying someone's decisions or opinions that don't really support.
First, just because someone poses a question, doesn't mean you're obligated to answer it. Not only do you have a right to your own opinions, you also have the right to keep them private.
Second, sometimes personal integrity means taking a risk. People will forever be asking you questions with the answer they want to hear already in mind (if not in their delivery!). You yourself have to decide whether being honest -- not tactless or brutal, but honest -- is worth the risk of raising someone's ire, or losing a friend. It's one of life's lessons.
2007-03-19 10:19:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a very direct person so these are some of my answers:
"Thank you for caring", and change the subject.
When someone really keeps on asking personal question my all time question stopper is :
"There are many things I do not usually discuss ,one is sex and the other one is religion but if you insist we can start with your love life." It has never failed to work and works especially well if there are other people around.
2007-03-19 16:58:40 · answer #3 · answered by Cinna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favorite answer to a question I don't want to answer is something along the lines of "I wonder why you would ask that" and then just change the subject. If it's a rude question, you could say "I can't believe you would actually ask me that." This information comes from Dear Abby or Ann Landers or something. I read it a long time ago and it sticks with me. I've used the answers myself and they seem to work.
2007-03-19 10:10:53 · answer #4 · answered by Dovie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
always tell the truth. tell them you are not at this time going to answer that question as you have issues with it...politicians dance around questions everday...they flip flop and side step so just tell them that you would prefer to take the fifth ..jk
but sometimes you have to be firm and tell them you would prefer not to answer at this time...the more they insist ...then just walk away from them..sometimes you have to make a stand and stand up for yourself...unless you are in front of a judge and threatens you with jail time (and some people go to jail not answering certain questions) then you have a right to say "no commit" and the less you say after that the better
2007-03-19 10:14:05 · answer #5 · answered by Louella R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I always act surprised and then answer them with a question that puts the shoe on the other foot, like "why would you ever ask me that?" or "what makes you ask?"
Then if I get something really personal I always say "I will forgive you for asking if you will forgive me for not answering." Those all work for me!! Good Luck!!
2007-03-19 10:12:16 · answer #6 · answered by Dovey 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
CASE TO CASE BASIS. Answer/evasion depends on the question, but of course you CAN evade question wittily.
2007-03-19 12:30:17 · answer #7 · answered by gameplan_xtreme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try answering a question with a question. "Why do you ask?" or "What are you trying to say?" Or maybe "Hmm. You've given me something to think about, thanks."
2007-03-19 10:09:28 · answer #8 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yip, I'm pretty good at doing this - what's the question?
2007-03-19 10:08:55 · answer #9 · answered by Bite Me 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just say "I don't know."
2007-03-19 10:09:27 · answer #10 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋