How do you avoid answering a question politely?
You can also refuse to answer the question, but be sure to be polite. “Say, 'I appreciate that this is of interest but we don't feel sharing the information is appropriate, especially at this time. But I'd be glad to answer other questions if you have them,'” says Sullivan. “Appreciate the interest but draw lines.”
- Acknowledge the question without answering it. ...
- Ignore the question completely. ...
- Question the question. ...
- Attack the question, ...
- Decline to answer. ...
- Give an incomplete answer. ...
- State or imply the question has already been answered. ...
- Defer to the will of others.
- Go with your gut. ...
- Don't be rude back. ...
- Use “I” statements. ...
- Find out more if appropriate. ...
- Say how you feel about being asked or about giving the information. ...
- Depersonalise your answer. ...
- Express your feelings if you want to. ...
- Move them on.
The simplest approach to dodge the question is just to refuse to answer. You can give a straightforward refusal or to act as if no question was asked and continuing the conversation by talking about something else, or come up with straight lies. “I'm not going to answer that.”
to avoid something such as criticism, blame, or a question being directed at you: The president deflected criticism of his economic record by focusing on crime. He successfully deflected blame for his mismanagement of the crisis. I just tried to deflect questions the best way I could.
- I'm honoured but I can't.
- I wish there were two of me. ...
- Sorry, I'm booked into something else right now. ...
- Sadly, I have something else. ...
- No, thank you but it sounds lovely, so next time. ...
- I'm not taking anything else right now.
- I'd rather not say.
- I'd prefer not to talk about that.
- I'd rather not get into [this topic] at this event.
- I'd prefer not to discuss this right now.
- I'm sorry, that's private.
- That's a little too personal.
- That topic is too difficult to discuss at this moment.
- I'm so sorry, I don't like talking about that.
- I'd rather not discuss that.
- I don't want to get into that.
- I'd rather not discuss this now/here.
- Sorry is it okay if we change the subject?
- Enlist the help of a friend. Sometimes, you just know someone is going to ask you an unwanted question. ...
- Restate—and reframe—the question. ...
- Deflect with a joke. ...
- Offer advice instead of an answer. ...
- Deflect the question back to the asker with a compliment. ...
- Turn the tables.
- Take a deep breath and count to ten before responding. ...
- Smile and thank them for their concern. ...
- Stop talking. ...
- Change the subject of the conversation by asking questions about them. ...
- Thank them for their advice, then do what you want to do anyway.
How do you respond to a loaded question?
- Option 1: Never repeat a negative. State your positive.
- Option 2: Reconfirm your position and clarify.
- Option 3: Call attention to the faulty premise and disagree with it.
be non-committal | prevaricate |
---|---|
evade the issue | fudge the issue |
dodge | evade |
fudge | be evasive |
beat around the bush | puss*foot around |
Liars and truth-tellers both have pauses in their speech, but good liars avoid answering questions, scientists say. DESPITE WHAT YOU MIGHT think, it is almost impossible to tell a liar from the way they talk, according a new study.
e.g. She gave an evasive answer Merriam-Webster. To be evasive is to avoid something, whether it's a touchy subject or the person who's "it". If you're dodging the truth and not giving straight answers, then you're being evasive, which is probably not the best strategy when the police are asking the questions.
- A five-step process for thinking on your feet and saying what you want. By Pamela Ziemann. ...
- Listen to the Question. ...
- Pause. ...
- Repeat the Question. ...
- Respond Honestly. ...
- Know When to Stop.
Deflection is a defense mechanism that involves redirecting focus, blame, or criticism from oneself onto another person, in an attempt to preserve one's self-image. This inclination toward shifting blame can be seen in anyone from young children to grown adults.
How do you deal with deflection? The best way to deal with deflection is to communicate how you feel by having a conversation. Point out that you feel the person is deflecting their fault onto you and that it is not appreciated.
- I appreciate the offer, but I can't.
- I'm honored, but can't.
- I'd love to, but I can't.
- I appreciate the invitation, but I am completely booked.
- Thanks for thinking of me, but I can't.
- Regrettably, I'm not able to.
- You're so kind to think of me, but I can't.
Good manners says to say thank you when somebody answers your question. E-mail load control suggests not replying "thanks" because it's too much e-mail and people would rather have less.
Points to Emphasize
Make a distinction as to how you would respond based on who is saying no. If it's a supervisor saying no, respond that you would respect his or her decision. It's also a good idea to mention your willingness to understand the decision so that you can improve for the future.
What does it mean to deflect a question?
to avoid something such as criticism, blame, or a question being directed at you: The president deflected criticism of his economic record by focusing on crime. He successfully deflected blame for his mismanagement of the crisis. I just tried to deflect questions the best way I could.
- Answer the original question with another question. ...
- Respond with sarcasm or a joke. ...
- Redirect the question to a topic that you do feel comfortable discussing. ...
- Use the shame game. ...
- Begin your answer by saying the word “No”
- I'm so sorry, I don't like talking about that.
- I'd rather not discuss that.
- I don't want to get into that.
- I'd rather not discuss this now/here.
- Sorry is it okay if we change the subject?
What do you say when someone keeps asking why? “I don't know” is polite, and often true. If you do know, and you want to be honest, then you can say, “I'd rather not discuss this anymore.” This is also perfectly polite.
One word answers are considered rude because they are often dismissive, as if you can't be bothered with the person or the question. For example, someone may ask, “Did you have fun today?” They don't want a simple yes or no.
To persist steadfastly in pursuit of a goal, especially despite challenges. persevere. persist. endure. pursue.
...
- Damn. Okay, yes, me.
- Ofcourse you no(know) me.
- Me? Im the Batman [In that typical harsh tone]
- I'd rather not say.
- I'd prefer not to talk about that.
- I'd rather not get into [this topic] at this event.
- I'd prefer not to discuss this right now.
- I'm sorry, that's private.
- That's a little too personal.
- That topic is too difficult to discuss at this moment.
- A five-step process for thinking on your feet and saying what you want. By Pamela Ziemann. ...
- Listen to the Question. ...
- Pause. ...
- Repeat the Question. ...
- Respond Honestly. ...
- Know When to Stop.
Deflection is a defense mechanism that involves redirecting focus, blame, or criticism from oneself onto another person, in an attempt to preserve one's self-image. This inclination toward shifting blame can be seen in anyone from young children to grown adults.
What do you say when someone asks too many questions?
Mention that you notice that he has many questions, and you would like to find a way to help him be more self-sufficient. Don't be overly critical about the amount of questions he asks – you don't want to be so harsh that he feels uncomfortable asking important questions in the future.
Question dodging
This may occur when the person questioned either does not know the answer and wants to avoid embarrassment, or when the person is being interrogated or questioned in debate, and wants to avoid giving a direct response.
- Evaluate Objectively. ...
- Control Your Reaction. ...
- Anticipate Behaviors. ...
- Deflect the Conversation. ...
- Minimize Contact With Nosy Coworkers. ...
- Express Your Feelings. ...
- Escalate the Situation.