Ask the Readers: How Do You Handle Rude Questions About Money?

I thought this was rude. A neighbor is a financial planner, but she lives down the street and I do not know her, but one day she thought it was okay to come to my house and ask me personal questions about my finances when I was outside doing yard work. I kept telling her that I do not need her services and it was awful! I told her now thanks, but I felt trapped because I live by her and did not want to offend her!

The last time I was interviewing someone, she started prying into our money affairs: How much was your house? How much is your rent? How much are your utilities?

Since it wasn't someone I was at all familiar with, though you wouldn't know it from how much she thought it was ok to pry!, I deflected with fake ignorance. "Oh I don't know, my husband handles that stuff." I'd probably never do that with someone I actually knew (because anyone who knows me knows that I handle all the money) but it worked with this nosy Parker!

I try not to take it personally. I feel like discussing money is like fitness -- everyone has an opinion on what works best and how you should be doing things.

I have not had to field any rude questions about money, but I generally do not feel uncomfortable talking about money with friends or colleagues and answer most questions as long as I feel that they are asked from a place of curiosity and not judgement.

With a little laugh, I tell people I don't have enough money to talk about. We have a 457 plan at work available, and co-workers seem to think it's ok to talk numbers! I don't join in.

I usually like to discuss personal finance topics in general but like to stray from specific details about those actual numbers existing in my life. I often feel many people are apt to compare their situations to one another and being unnecessarily specific as to your own situation might invite others to feel like you are in an overall "better" situation whereby they might think you're bragging or otherwise feel self-conscious themselves, or, in the opposite scenario, you might come off as as a "ne'er-do-well" in the eyes of the other person. I think most people respond well when you laugh and pleasantly answer that you keep your financial situation "close to the vest". Of course, you should be willing to confirm you're neither the richest nor poorest person on the planet, and that you're just another "in-betweener".

Ignore and deflect!

I do not recall being offended by a financial question. I am comfortable discussing any question about money. To me, money is just a tool and does not have emotional connotations. Usually. Rather than dodge or avoid answering a question, I give a simple, short, honest answer.

I don't have a problem talking about money. Money discussions shouldn't be a taboo topic.

I just tell people "I don't know" or "I'm not sure"

I usually try to divert the question and not answer it.

It depends on the question. I'm pretty open about a lot of financial things--how much I make, what paid for my house, what my wedding cost. I think to think if I really thought something was rude and I didn't want to answer it I would just say so. I'm a Scorpio.

I haven't been asked rude questions about money, but have had people make untrue statements about how poorly they think we handle our finances. It's such a shock, I don't know how to respond. It's like answering the question, "When did you stop beating your wife?"

I haven't been really asked those types of questions yet, since I am young. So generally most questions I'm fine with answering. If I don't want to answer, I'll just say I don't want to answer that

I put on my astonished look and ask "What charm school did you attend?"

It depends, if the question is coming from my parents, I tell them I would rather not get into an argument at the moment. If the question is from anyone else I ask to clarify and answer as honestly as possible. Most people my age are just trying to feel out how other people handle their money and what the best way to go about financial stuff is. The intention is not really to be rude.

I don't get a lot of money questions, and even fewer rude ones, fortunately. I'm pretty honest with people I know well. However, if people I don't know well ask me a rude money question, I try to find a way to sidestep it or sometimes I'll just lie and tell them what I think they want to hear.

I try to deflect. But if that person is insistent I just say That's Private...and leave it at that.

I just say that I don't discuss that topic publicly; just with immediate family and my accountant.

I just give a vague answer.

Usually whenever somebody asks me a question that I don't want to answer (money related or not) I ask them "Why do you want to know?". It is very effective.

I don't. I pretend I didn't hear and then change the subject. But rarely does anyone besides my family ask me about money.

I can't think of anything rude I have been asked...I guess I am a naturally curious person, so I'm probably interested in the conversation and would turn the question around on them.

i don't answer it

If I feel a question about money and finances is rude, I usually dodge the question and just change the subject. If I cant dodge it...I will just give a general answer that does not disclose anything at all.

I tell them to mind their own business or that I don't really feel like answering.

I don't think I'm usually asked rude questions, but if I was I would just deflect them.

My husband and I won't even talk with our parents about our finances. One time my father-in-law asked how much we had left on our mortgage, telling us that it should be paid off by a certain age, but we just didn't respond to him.

I think people vary widely on the appropriateness of talking about money. I was taught it is rude to ask or talk about such a private topic but people these days seem to feel it's okay to ask. So, since I don't like to talk about it that's what I say -- "I don't like talking about personal finance issues like this. Sorry. " Repeat as necessary. It's always worked to shut it down!

I usually just side-step the question or give a very general answer. Especially if it is something very personal and none of their business!

I find a way to not answer.

I say that I don't know or changed the subject to skmething else I would rather talk about.

I haven't really been offended by anyone's comments or questions about money

I change the subject and just ignore whatever they asked me. It usually works unless they are really nosy and rude, then I just tell them straight out I don't like to discuss money issues.

[Pause.] "That's a really personal question." [Longer pause. Awkward silence.]

That usually works!