Why are some people compulsively intrusive?

Question

I am very private and I don't understand people who have no compunction about asking invasive questions or telling others what to do when it doesn't affect them or anyone else. They persist after it has been made clear that one has no intention of answering. I've known many such people; family asking to disclose all my finances, coworkers drilling me about family situations political and religious views, people on the bus or in the community wanting to know just about everything from my daily schedule to my romantic life. Is it cultural or does this happen in all communities? Perhaps they assume that everyone loves to talk about themselves? They seem to get more excited thinking that you're not telling because it's something juicy. I don't have anything to hide I just don't feel like talking about some things. I don't understand tabloids either.

PS I support myself and I'm single with no kids. I don't break the law or offend anyone in anyway so my business should truly be my own.

Answer 1

I guess it's human nature to be nosy. It's a way people connect with others.  I'm not crazy about it either, but unfortunately, people aren't likely to change.

Answer 2

I am with you 100%.  I too feel that certain personal matters are nobody's business.  If I want someone to know something about myself, I'll tell them.  But some people feel they somehow have a "right" to know anything about someone else.  Typically I find these people to act friendly, but they are hardly your friend and only want information so they can satisfy their insatiable need to gossip.  These people I have decided are destructive (through their gossiping) and are malicious.  I have a co-worker who completely fits this description.  As a matter of fact, she's probably reading over my shoulder right now as I type.  She constantly pushes for personal info from me and when she doesn't get it, she starts to snoop.  Some people were never raised with manners and taught to "keep their nose clean".  It's a shame that people don't mind their own business.  The next time someone asks you something that you don't want to answer just say "Why do you want to know?", that usually shuts them up because the only response they can give would make them admit to being nosy.  If they persist then just tell them their time would be best spent wondering about something that actually concerns them.