Q&A for How to Mind Your Own Business

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  • Question
    Is it bad to mind your own business?
    Lynda Jean
    Etiquette Coach
    Lynda Jean is an Image Consultant and the Owner of Lynda Jean Image Consulting. With over 15 years of experience, Lynda specializes in color and body/style analysis, wardrobe audits, personal shopping, social and professional etiquette, and personal and business branding. She works with clients to enhance their image, self-esteem, behavior, and communication to facilitate their social and career goals. Lynda holds Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Social Work, a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Image Consultant (CIC) certification. She studied Image Consulting at the International Image Institute and the International Academy of Fashion and Technology in Toronto, Canada. Lynda has taught Image Consulting courses at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. She is the co-author of the book, “Business Success With Ease,” where she shares her knowledge about, ‘The Power of Professional Etiquette.’
    Etiquette Coach
    Expert Answer
    Not at all! Doing so shows you have good self-awareness and know how to respect boundaries.
  • Question
    If someone tells me what they are planning to do, does that plan become my business also?
    Community Answer
    Nope, only if that person asks you for advice and/or you have some kind of relevant information to help them with their plan. Of course, if their plan involves hurting themselves or someone else or otherwise committing a crime, you should inform the authorities.
  • Question
    Why do people feel to need to get involve in other people's business?
    Community Answer
    The person might be curious about the other person's private life. He or she might also feel left out, and believe that by getting involved, he or she will fit in better. Lastly, the person might simply care or feel concerned for the other person.
  • Question
    How can I politely stop someone from meddling in my personal affairs?
    Community Answer
    Just say, "don't worry about it -- I can handle it," and change the topic.
  • Question
    What do you do when you are naturally nosey?
    Community Answer
    Just because you're prone to a behavior does not mean that you can't alter it or that you are not responsible for how it affects others. If you realize that being nosy is ultimately hurting your relationship with others or causing you unnecessary stress, it's time to conscientiously try to change your ways.
  • Question
    I have tried these things,but they don't work. (I'm a ten year old boy who loves to talk.)
    Community Answer
    Learning to mind your own business takes time! Start by setting yourself a small goal, such as walking away from one private conversation that you really want to butt in on. Once you've done that, keep building up to bigger challenges. Minding your own business doesn't mean you need to stop talking; it just means that you need to be mindful of when and how you're talking.
  • Question
    What do you do when you don't want someones sympathy
    Community Answer
    It's best to be polite but direct. Tell them that you appreciate their concern but would prefer if they did not say anything further about the issue.
  • Question
    How do you know the difference between informing someone of something important, and butting in?
    Community Answer
    When you inform someone about something important, it should not be such that it turns the person to whom you inform against the person who did something. It may start a fight between them, and they may later blame you for "butting in."
  • Question
    How to behave when I am excluded by family members in every topic?
    Community Answer
    Impress them with something that could make them interested. Wait for them to take a break, and change the subject and start talking about something else. Once you get in one conversation, it will be much easier to get into the others.
  • Question
    How can I distance myself from my roommate's private life if we share a room?
    Community Answer
    Listen to music, focus on your studies and work, wear earphones when they have private conversations. Wearing ear plugs at night may be helpful if noise is an issue at night, and purchasing an eye mask can also help if lighting is a concern. Make sure to refrain from going through their stuff, as well. Do your best to be courteous and respect their privacy.
  • Question
    If someone overhears a disgruntled coworker talking at their desk, and they go report what they heard to the union rep, was it really their business to do this?
    Community Answer
    It depends what they overheard. If the disgruntled coworker was just complaining about their job being too hard, that is none of their business. If they were saying, "I hate this job, I'm going to kill someone," or, "I hate this job because the work environment is unsafe," those are things that a union rep or someone else in a position of authority should hear about.
  • Question
    Can music help in minding one's own business?
    Community Answer
    Well, yes. If you're listening to music in headphones, you can't listen in on other people's business.
  • Question
    How can I mind my own business when it comes to my mother dating again? I'm always worrying about her and I don't want her to get hurt.
    Community Answer
    Just let her do what she wants. If she gets hurt, she can learn from her mistakes for the next time.
  • Question
    Does my adult child have the right to inquire about my finances that are being managed by a professional?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Sure, anyone can ask whatever they like. I have a right to ask you about your financial affairs, too, it's just that you are not obligated to answer. The key here is that they're your finances, so you get to decide how you handle them, and you have no obligation to disclose this to your children, or anyone. Even if they suspect you're doing it wrong, it's your money as long as you're alive. If they want to learn about money management, help them do so. If they want to make sure there's some left for their inheritance, help them learn how to earn their own money.
  • Question
    What do I do if I interrupt someone and say something negative?
    Community Answer
    Just apologize for interrupting and/or for being negative.
  • Question
    Why do people that are most offended by nosy people seem to frequent public discussion of personal matters?
    Community Answer
    It could be because they can't talk to the person in private, so they talk to them in public.
  • Question
    What if I feel that minding my own business means trusting no one in my life?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    You should at the very least always trust yourself, so that's one. That also proves you can trust someone, so you can trust more than one person as well. Trusting someone is the default, you trust them until they prove not to deserve it. Just trust them with little things at first.
  • Question
    Any tips or advice on what to do if someone wrote a mean note and the teacher found it and I know who wrote it?
    Community Answer
    It's best to stay out of it unless someone is being bullied badly, if a teacher is already involved, they should know how to handle it.
  • Question
    I was punished in school for being stubborn. How do I stop being stubborn?
    Community Answer
    Do the work that is asked of you. Follow the rules and be respectful of the teacher and everyone else on staff. Do these things even when you don't see the point, and don't argue about them. Sometimes things at school don't seem logical, but usually the staff has your best interest in mind.
  • Question
    If I see someone I don't know being bullied, should I mind my own business and not intervene?
    Community Answer
    You should intervene, but if you're worried that doing so would make the situation worse or put your own safety at risk, tell a nearby adult what you saw.
  • Question
    What to do if I can’t mind my own business no matter what I do?
    Slyguy55
    Community Answer
    All you have to do is get a hobby, keep yourself occupied and keep your mind focused on something else other than others. Doing this will help you mind your own business. I suggest taking up in rock collecting or maybe even pharmaceutical studies. Or you could become a detective!
  • Question
    What if my very close best friend gave me cues that I should mind my business while I was just being concerned?
    Alleycatrox
    Community Answer
    Respect her privacy and tell her that you are just concerned and that you are there for her when she is ready to talk or share what is going on.
  • Question
    What should I do if my friend is ignoring me and I don't want to butt into the conversation?
    Community Answer
    Just leave them be. There is likely a reason they are ignoring you, and this is a likely sign they don't want you involved.
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