How do I respond politely but without giving out personal information?

Question

I'm returning to work after being on medical leave. There is a person high up in management who shows a very insincere and faked interest in the workers, and only when she is forced to stand within a few feet of them. She will put on the act when ridng in the elevator, but otherwise walks right past and ignores them. At some point she and I will be on the elevator and I am dreading her excited "so how ARE you??" when really she couldn't care less. I'd like to say something like "aren't you kind for asking!" and not disclose anything. Is that polite enough? What else should I say? Or maybe I should go into every disgusting medical detail. What do you think?

Answer 1

The answer to "How are you?" is always a hearty, "Very well, thank you,. How are you?" A truly disciplined person would never reply anything else, even in a hospital emergency room at midnight.

Thus are the words of Miss Manners, Judith Martin, a truly wise lady. Heed her words. You do not need to give any personal information whatsoever.

If the lady continues to gnaw at you with questions and for details, you politely respond, "I really don't wish to discuss it, I'm just glad it's over with."

Have a great day!

Answer 2

From my experience, just because someone asks about how I am doesn't mean they really care. It's more for the sake of conversation. If you find yourself in this situation with her, give a polite "I'm feeling better, thank you. Glad to be back working again" or something along those lines. Then change the focus of the conversation to her and ask her how she's been or what she did over the weekend, etc. People like to talk about themselves, so if her concern with you really is fake, she'll pick up this cue and the conversation should shift easily from you to her. No matter who she is in the hierarchy of work obligates you to fill her in on your personal life--medical or otherwise.

Answer 3

If that is area of your interest to have interplay with the popular public, you need to grant them with a recognition, whether that is basically your first call. exceptionally in the event that they ever could desire to return decrease back to readdress a count, they have each and every genuine to nicely known who they have been handling. in case you do unlike handling the popular public the place you may prefer to be courteous and tell them a recognition--any call--you'll be able to desire to locate yet another interest. As for the different suggestions, that's no longer needed suggestions and that is undesirable manners to ask it. For which you would be able to in basic terms say, "i'm sorry, that's very own suggestions." maybe some will take it rudely, yet they began it. FYI, I honestly have a "temporary" call i exploit for passing purposes, like eating place reservations, the place a recognition is needed, yet a legal call no longer required. I do it by way of fact I continually could desire to spell my call, so I picked on that's hassle-loose. The trick is to continually use the same call so as which you will continually know whilst that is named. human beings in collections have thoroughly fake names, besides the shown fact that that is regularly the same call, and all of us they paintings with is often used with that as quickly as somebody asks for it, they recommend you. you'll be able to evaluate something like that, yet get the approval of your supervisor. nonetheless, oftentimes, i think of your "phobia" approximately your call is unreasonable.

Answer 4

If this person is somewhat a boss of yours, and your work is somewhat connected to hers, then it's best to keep everything kosher. Just because you know she could care less about workers, doesn't mean that you have to reciprocate the nasty attitude that she exudes. If and when she asks how you are, or how you've been, just simply reply, "Just fine, thanks. and yourself?" And if you still haven't reached your stop on the elevator after her response, you can always just comment on the weather. Then, just close it with, have a good day!

Answer 5

I think that's polite enough....or something along this line here...I'm fine, thank you very much for asking. Have a wonderful day/afternoon/evening. Unless of course you want to shut her up completely then go into GORY details....(true or not)...j/k...lol

Answer 6

People like this are not pleasant and are gossip snatchers and dispatchers if you know what I mean.

Just say: All is well with me. Thanks for your concern.

Say it genuinely and straight in the eye. Any other q's she asks just say geeze I've got a lot of work to be catching up on.

Answer 7

I think a simple, "Fine, thanks," will suffice, especially if she's made it clear in the past that she's less interested in her employees' responses to her inquiries than she is in congratulating herself on being such a swell, kind person.

Answer 8

The answer would be "I'm feeling much better now thank you very much, and thanks for taking an interest in me". That would be much more dignified then to go into all of your personal details. Short, succinct and to the point.

Answer 9

Not only are you not obligated to give any information beyond a "Fine, thanks", but depending on the circumstances, it is illegal for her to inquire about it. There are privacy laws in the US - don't know where you are.

Answer 10

Just say, "I'm well, thank you for asking, and how are YOU doing?"