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06-19-2025 11:30 AM
I have a relative I will call "Cousin Sally". Cousin Sally is having some health issues. Yesterday a person who kinows I am related asked me about Cousin Sally's health. I don't feel it is my place to blab about her private health concerns so I just vauguely said "Oh, she's pretty good". (Which is technically true, since she in not in a hosptial) I know Cousin Sally would not want her private information told to random people. What is the best response to people who ask? I don't want to be rude or make up a lie, but I don't want discuss her private information.
06-19-2025 11:35 AM
Tell the truth. "It's not my place to discuss her personal information. Why don't you call her and ask her? Maybe she'd like a visit."
06-19-2025 11:37 AM
@mormel20 "Thank you for your concern. I appreciate it but Cousin Sally respectfully requests her health be kept private."
No further explanation needed.
06-19-2025 11:37 AM
"just fine" is a sufficient answer
06-19-2025 11:39 AM
@mormel20 Well apparently that random person knew your cousin Sally is having medical issues.
I would have answered "Why do you ask?" & go from there depending on the answer.
"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
06-19-2025 11:40 AM
I don't know enough to answer that properly.
06-19-2025 11:54 AM
It is not my place to discuss her medical issues
06-19-2025 12:03 PM
I see nothing wrong with your reply.
When I ask about someone it is to let them know I am thinking of them and care about them.
It's not necessary to answer with details or discuss all health issues.
06-19-2025 12:07 PM
"She's doing fine. Thanks for asking."
I'm not sure why people are always afraid of being "rude" when it's usually the people inquiring who are the rude ones.
06-19-2025 12:53 PM
Interesting post and replies.
Last week my next door neighbor called me for something. I said to her that I noticed someone else was cutting her grass and I asked how our other neighbor was - he usually cuts her grass. She replied she didn't want to gossip. It never occurred to me that we would be gossiping. He was a good friend of my husband's and I consider him and his wife friends. They've always been good neighbors. I was honestly concerned for his health as I know he's been battling skin cancer. Apparently it's best to just not ask about these things.
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