It’s a fact that no one, absolutely no one, can escape from embarrassing questions, and it gets worse when such embarrassing questions are asked publicly.
As much as one wants, but refusing to answer such questions is not always an option. Or you can’t just be rude and say, “It’s none of your business.” It will make them think that you are impolite and disrespectful. None of us want to spoil our relationships, right?
Now giving a vague answer like, “I don’t have any plans on this” also doesn’t work. As not everyone will understand that by giving a vague answer, you’re actually telling them that you’re not interested in answering such embarrassing questions. Instead, they might keep asking more and more of those questions.
So today at Sphere Medium, let’s learn five clever ways to answer awkward questions.
5 SMART & CLEVER WAYS TO HANDLE AWKWARD & EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS
1. Take control of questions
Figure out the intention behind question. So with the simple twist, you actually become the one in control of the question.
So when someone asks you, “Why are you still single?” “Are you being too choosy?” One can reply, “Are you worried that I might be lonely?”
Or if someone asks questions regarding when you’ll be getting married, you could be like, “Are you concerned that I am waiting too long?
This way, you’ll be able to understand what the other person is intending. Do they really want to know the answer to the question? Is he genuinely interested in your well-being or trying to be nosey or embarrass you in public? This technique will help you to be in control of the conversation and take it forward from there.
2. Respond with humor
So after judging the intention of a person, you may proceed with humor. Just crack a joke. Some people are just being nosy. They don’t really care much. Most of them will get the cue and stop asking when they realize that you are not interested in answering them. And they will not get what they are looking for, which is to embarrass you
3. Change the subject of discussion
Another classic technique of escaping embarrassing questions is to change the subject. So changing the subject as in transitions can be tough. You need to find a transition bridge.
Example: if someone asks, you are not having kids? So something like, “No, we’re not having kids; we are planning to go to Niagara Falls though.” “You’ve been there, right?” In this case, Niagara Falls is the bridge, and you’ve quickly changed the subject or shifted to a new topic.
4. Ask for free advice
Ask them for advice. In general, people love to talk about what they know. So when you ask them for advice, they start talking about themselves instead of you, and if you keep your answers short and sweet, this works pretty well.
For example, if someone asks you about having kids, You could say something like, “Oh, I don’t know, what the hardest part about having a baby is?” So now the focus is on them; they’ll share their experience being parents.
5. Give a fluffy answer and ask questions instead
The next strategy is to provide a fluffy answer. This works best for a question like, “So how’s your business going? Which, in my opinion, is the world’s most useless question? It’s the business equivalent of, “How are you?” So they’re not really seeking an answer. They’re not asking you how your business is. They’re just being polite. So you don’t have to give all the details; just give a short answer and jump to a different question.
For example, “Oh man, I’ve been busy, which is great.” “What’s going on with you?” Or else you could say, “I’m traveling a ton.” “I’m so exhausted.” “How are things with your house renovation?” So the goal here is to shift the focus back to them and let them do the talking!
In a nutshell, no matter how confident you are when it comes to family or at gathering, it’s easy to get caught off guard by a well-meaning cousin or a colleague. Sometimes intentions are well, and to most, it’s a way of engaging in conversation. The goal is for you to be in control of the conversation, and that’s why I’ve put together these five strategies to help you handle the most embarrassing questions that you might face.
Let me know if they did. And if you’re interested in more of such articles, give, “Say No, Learn How to Say No Confidently” a read at Sphere medium.
FAQs
Listen carefully, think, reflect and make sure you understood the question, or else ask a clarifying question of your own.
The best way to immediately respond to uncomfortable questions is a polite comment such as, I’m so sorry, I don’t like talking about that. I’d rather not discuss that.
Try responding with humor, “Are you going to cry if I don’t?
The best way to avoid rude people is to meet their acts of rudeness with kindness and then remove yourself from their presence.
Learn up on etiquette. Generally speaking, keep your phone out of sight when you’re talking to don’t cut the other person in midway when talking. Invest yourself in whatever the other person is saying. Always remember to say please and thank you.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
15 Comments
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Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
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Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.