Nosey friends

[vicki2]

Everyone has at least one person in their life who is nosey about personal things. They offer unwanted suggestions about how to manage your kids, your job, your marriage, etc. If you say something diplomatically to them, they'll claim it's all because they care for you and have a good snit. Often, they interfere enough to cause damage.

How do you deter these people and keep them friends?

[palefrost]

As my father used to say "familiarity breeds contempt". I totally have to agree after a number of years seeing it in action. As soon as you let someone in they start thinking for you. I used to have this one friend that would see a purchase i made and go "that must be nice". What am i supposed to say about that? I didnt flash the item at them! I cant help it if they cant afford it or didnt want to buy it!

I hate to say it, but i keep people at a distance to avoid this. I dont share my feelings or purchases with friends. Nothing that could be used against me. LOL. Human nature sucks.

[Melos]

Well, I consider people that annoy me and make caustic or picky comments to not be my friends. This is probably why I have few friends I guess. Why would you continue being friends with someone who is annoyingly nosey?

[tater03]

I have a neighbor that is really nosey. I don't know if I would call or a friend. But she will drive me nuts. The other day the cable company pulled in the driveway as she was leaving. The next day I ran into her at the store and she had the nerve to ask what the cable company was doing at our house. I preceeded to tell her, which was really none of her business. But the thing that really got me was after I told her why they were there she said "Oh I thought maybe they shut you off." Like it would be any of here concern if they were shutting me off for failure to pay. So yes I understand where you all are coming from. She drives me nuts.

[Plumley]

I forget if it was Ann Landers or Dear Abby but one of them suggested, when a person asks a rude question, just respond by asking why she needs to know. I'm with Melos, though. If I'm not happy being with someone, she's not my friend and I don't particularly want to spend time with her.

[palefrost]

Originally Posted by tater03

I have a neighbor that is really nosey. I don't know if I would call or a friend. But she will drive me nuts. The other day the cable company pulled in the driveway as she was leaving. The next day I ran into her at the store and she had the nerve to ask what the cable company was doing at our house. I preceded to tell her, which was really none of her business. But the thing that really got me was after I told her why they were there she said "Oh I thought maybe they shut you off." Like it would be any of here concern if they were shutting me off for failure to pay. So yes I understand where you all are coming from. She drives me nuts.

Ugh lol you poor thing! You have to live near such a person!

I once had this girl i barely knew call me because she heard though her friend, who worked at the bus company where my daughter goes to school, my daughters name go over the radio at the bus company (we were running late in the house and they call to see if the child is coming to the bus).

She wanted to know what was going on. LOL. I was so stunned i just asked her if she was looking for gossip and was annoyed. I then called the bus company and complained about her and let them know that one of her friends were stirring up gossip and sharing company business as they did it. Im sure i got them in trouble cause the bus company was annoyed to hear it lol.

I hate gossipy people. Ive always believed those that gossip with you gossip about you. grrrr

[vicki2]

Good points. But if someone is a long time friend and who has proven their loyalty and friendship over a long period, it's almost as if some of them take it as a tacit right to inquire about whatever they want to. I'm good at a cold snub to people I don't know well, but it's harder with people who are really close to you.

[techluck]

One good thing about it- you can choose your friends, unlike your relatives, and a friendship worth preserving should be able to stand the test of confrontation regarding one's privacy.

[Lyricb]

Would you believe there is nobody like that in my life? My family all lives far away and none of my friends are all that nosey. Go figure.

[Alexa]

You are lucky, Lyricb.

Well, my sister is a very noisy one. She cannot help herself to bug everybody. She pretends she gives me only good advices, but they are more like orders. I have to remind her every time, I have a word to say about my personal stuffs. *sigh*