Etiquette on how to answer personal questions

Answer 1

This is not an answer but a commiseration:

I have a similar question...on different occasions and different circumstances I have had colleagues ask me personal questions that I do not feel comfortable answering. Being somewhat junior within the organization,  I am usually probed by senior colleagues. I get very awkward responses when I respond with "I don't feel comfortable answering this question" or like a b*tch when I try "that is personal" and even then they usually keep probing for a while, which makes it even worse.

There have been times when people have asked details regarding doctors visits (totally uncomfortable) and on other occasions a male, senior colleague has repeatitively asked if I have a boyfriend and details about my "love life". I don't ask about his love life b/c I know it is absolutely none of my business and quite frankly I couldn't care less. It is almost more awkward when these questions are asked in a one on one environment, such as: in someone's office. You have no one else to show disapproval or react uncomfortably, knowing that this is unacceptable.

How does one respond to such questions to get the point across that it is NOT cool & NOT professionally acceptable to put a subordinate or anyone else on the spot like that (ideally, without sounding like a b***h and conversely, without people loosing respect for you by not taking you seriously)?