I'm pretty sure that I am not alone in this. You know THAT person right? The one who seems to take pleasure in other people's misfortune? He or she probably won't say anything to you if it is you going through something, but I can pretty much guarantee this person is telling everyone else. That is why it is so important to choose who you share information with. I used to be an open book. I still am in many ways. I mean seriously, I write about my life and anyone with an internet connection can read it. But I have discovered over the years that there are a few people who I've pulled back from. People I thought were friends but discovered that mainly they just like to be the first to know things. Those are also the people who ask you questions about other people. It usually goes like this.
Them - "Did you hear about Susie?"
You - "No"
Them "Well I heard...(fill in the blank)" and off it goes.
I never used to know how to deal with those situations, but now I do. If someone asks me a personal question that I consider to be just that, personal, my response is "Why do you ask?". That usually stops people in their tracks. Or, if they're rude enough to say "Because I'm nosey" I respond with "That's not a reason for me to share". I am coming to terms with the fact that just because I know someone doesn't mean they are entitled to know everything about me. Nor am I entitled to know everything about them. In fact, I have found that I have very little interest in knowing much about anybody else's life outside the circle of my family and closest friends. Is this just a function of age? I wonder.
Them - "Did you hear about Susie?"
You - "No"
Them "Well I heard...(fill in the blank)" and off it goes.
I never used to know how to deal with those situations, but now I do. If someone asks me a personal question that I consider to be just that, personal, my response is "Why do you ask?". That usually stops people in their tracks. Or, if they're rude enough to say "Because I'm nosey" I respond with "That's not a reason for me to share". I am coming to terms with the fact that just because I know someone doesn't mean they are entitled to know everything about me. Nor am I entitled to know everything about them. In fact, I have found that I have very little interest in knowing much about anybody else's life outside the circle of my family and closest friends. Is this just a function of age? I wonder.
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