Imperfect Phrases For Relationships

 Examples:

· It’s none of your business.

· It’s none of your business what I do when we aren’t together.

· The amount of money I spend is none of your business.

 Explanation:

This is the blunter, even more confrontational version of “Why do you need to know” a phrase you’ll come across later in this book. Except it’s really worse.

There may be times you feel you don’t want to answer a question, or share something you think is personal or private, but this isn’t the way to communicate that. Unless of course, you want to send the message that the relationship isn’t very important to you, or you don’t want a close relationship.

 Saying The Same Thing Constructively:

· That’s an awfully personal question, Jack, so I’d rather not answer that at this point.

· I know you want to get to know me better, but lets go a little slower on some of the personal questions, OK?

· I prefer not to share some things in the workplace, so I’m not going to answer that. I hope that doesn’t offend you.

· We should share most things, but on this one, I’d rather keep things private.

· I don’t like talking at work about my religion, so let’s leave it at that.

· I feel like I shouldn’t have to account for my spending habits, seeing we’ve only dated a few times.