Do you have to tell people who live in your building where you work?

Question

I had posted a preious question about avoiding neighbours, one thing that really bugged me is that they all wanted to know the exact company i work at? I really did not want them to know for privacy issues so i lied and told them a different company, then when i saw them they would say so "still working at____ , hows it going"?

I do not know where any of these people live nor do i care. Am i obligated to people who live in my building what company i work at? Do you think i should have lied?
how do you avoid this?
The only person who knows is the landlord.

Answer 1

Don't tell. Those people could do something with that info. Only tell -people who are your friends.

Answer 2

First of all, u were not supposed to lie to ur neighbours, when u were asked about the company name u work for . Second, u can give them any answer which shows in an indirect way, that u dont want to answer their question, and it can be easily done, like for example, i work in a media company ( depends on your company business), or maybe u can say u work for an international company, located in the city, even private company, will be a great answer. But in case they are rude and keep asking for more details, i think now it is time to tell them the truth, also in an rude answer, DOES IT MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE OR SENSE, to know the name ?? Because being rude to tough people, is better than anyone later may discover that u have lied to him, no ?
Anyways, in which company do u work ?? ( am just kidding ) and i wish u all the best my dear ...

Answer 3

No, you do not have to tell anyone (except your landlord and certain government institutions) where you work. If asked, and you don't want to be impolite, just be vague. For example, if you work at a moving company, you could say, "Oh, I work in the moving industry". Or, if you don't want to go that far, you can always say, "oh I have a job downtown." If worse comes to worse, I would do what you did...lie. Some people can be really pushy and nosey. Although, if you really wanted to, you could tell them that they are making you uncomfortable or turn the tables on them and ask them "why do you want to know" and if they push it further say, "I really don't feel comfortable having this conversation as I don't know you well and I don't want to give out information that I consider private." If they still insist, I would simply walk away. But that advice is only if you don't want to be polite. Otherwise, just be vague.

Answer 4

I understand your want of privacy.

I'm guessing these people aren't knocking on your door to ask these questions. The exchanges occur in the common areas?

It's called small talk. They probably don't really care about you either. It's what one does when there's another human being in the vicinity.

There are ways of going about it without revealing personal info and/or coming off as rude. Remarking on the weather is always a safe bet.

Also, keep in mind that these same people might be more willing to help you out in an emergency if you've been exchanging polite small talk with them all along.

Answer 5

I'm with you. I would NEVER tell anyone anything I don't want them to know. I am constantly amazed at the personal questions people ask. You have an absolute right to your privacy. One way is to say: "I'll have to get back to you on that. Right now I'm running a bit late for . . . (whatever) fill in the blank - meeting my friend, etc. " I have also used the one where I say - oh, I'm so sorry. I am expecting a long-distance phone call in just exactly four minutes from now and I really don't want to miss it. Good luck. And stick to your guns.

Answer 6

I never understood why people who are bascially strangers, ask this either. I usually say, an export company, and they ask what the name is. I just say, "oh, it's a small family owned business, you've never heard of it" and leave it at that. You aren't obligated to give personal information to anyone you don't want to - it's not like they are the landlord, or a banker, or someone you wish to do business with. They are just nosey. If they persist I'd turn the tables on them and start to ask about their place of business- usually stops them dead in their tracks. Good luck.

Answer 7

You don't have to tell anyone where you work . . . you don't have to tell anyone anything that you don't want them to know about you! Some people say you should tell them you aren't comfortable with talking about it . . . but I think that leaves a bigger mystery about you and they may continually fish for more info! If you lie, it just leads to bigger lies and headaches for you to remember.

People are curious creatures and if it's a neighbor situation they just naturally want to know what you do. Just say hi and keep on walking . . . if you stop to chit chat, they're going to ask you personal questions because they will think you want to know them too (afterall, you're taking the time to talk to them).

Answer 8

The landlord or building manager is the only person(s) you need to share that information with and you don't have to give excuse to anyone else for not answering their nosy question.

Answer 9

Sounds like your neighbors are trying to start small talk with you. They just want to start a conversation with you so they say still working for the same company to start small talk. You are not required to tell your neighbors your business.

Answer 10

You deserve your privacy !

Sounds like you live in China.

As for the lie, next time just tell them you don't like to talk about work when your off.

Answer 11

You are correct, no one but the landlord should know where you work. It is no one else business. It would not be rude to tell them that.