How to gracefully change the subject when people ask you personal things?

Question

If people you see socially ask you things about your life that you don't want to answer, I tend to just say I'd rather not talk about that right now.

What are alternate ways you can comply with social etiquette and be tactful while declining to discuss personal details?

Answer 1

I think that what you say is perfectly fine.  I normally just say "I'm sorry but I don’t feel comfortable discussing this with you and would appreciate it if we could rather talk about something else"

Answer 2

Run around the question.  Give examples of the types of questions.  There is a proper response to everything.  

I don't know too much about that.....Its still being disscused.....Its sad when some one dies, she was a good person.  Did you know she was a school teacher in Buffalo.  Have you ever been to New York?/

Run around and around.

Answer 3

When someone asks me questions that I would not like to answer...I just say nicely but firmly that I do not feel the need to talk about that with someone that is not a close friend.Or I say maybe some time we can talk about that but I do not want to discuss that now. And if they keep at it then I use (What would you need to know that for ?) Just remember some people feel they just have to know everything about everyone !

Answer 4

I do this all the time while still remaining polite and civil.

I tend to go off on a tangent or keep it simple and say no more.  Its up to you where you put a stop to it.

If someone asks me how my weekend was (when they really want to know the details), I say ''It was good thanks'' and ask them the same question.  Then I change the subject.

If you say 'Id rather not talk abuot it right now' - that shows that yuore hiding someone or that something is bothering you.

Keep it simple.

Answer 5

You can answer with rhetorical or general question and further give an answer to it :)