Would/Could you mind your own business ?

Is the question "Would/Could you mind your own business ?" a polite way to say "Mind your own business !" ?

There is no 'polite' way to say, "Mind your own business". More polite ways to say the same thing are numerous and varied, depending on the situation. Some possibilities:

1. "This is a private matter between ____ and myself. Would you excuse us please?"
2. "I appreciate your interest, but I prefer to handle it in my own way."
3. "I want to try it my way but, if I need help, I know just where to turn."

4. "Go peddle your papers!" could be said to be just as firm, but slightly less confrontational- more jokingly.

J&K Tutoring said:

There is no 'polite' way to say, "Mind your own business". More polite ways to say the same thing are numerous and varied, depending on the situation. Some possibilities:

1. "This is a private matter between ____ and myself. Would you excuse us please?"
2. "I appreciate your interest, but I prefer to handle it in my own way."
3. "I want to try it my way but, if I need help, I know just where to turn."

4. "Go peddle your papers!" could be said to be just as firm, but slightly less confrontational- more jokingly.

Click to expand...

But is "Would/Could you mind your own business ?" a correct, although not overly friendly way to tell somebody to"buzz off" ?

birgit33 said:

But is "Would/Could you mind your own business ?" a correct, although not overly friendly way to tell somebody to"buzz off" ?

Click to expand...

Yes, though I'd say 'fairly unfriendly' rather than 'not overly friendly'. Friends who are on jocularly insulting terms would probably drop the 'could/would you'.

fivejedjon said:

Yes, though I'd say 'fairly unfriendly' rather than 'not overly friendly'. Friends who are on jocularly insulting terms would probably drop the 'could/would you'.

Click to expand...

Yes, I know "Mind your own business" is (quite) rude, so I'm trying to undo it from its rudest edges, but still wanting to send a "strong" message, which is (still) within the borders of politeness, if you know what I mean...

Post #2 has some useful suggestions. The second is pretty firm.

I would say that any sentence which includes the words "Mind your own business", even if preceded or followed by other words, would not be described as "polite" to any extent.

birgit33 said:

Yes, I know "Mind your own business" is (quite) rude, so I'm trying to undo it from its rudest edges, but still wanting to send a "strong" message, which is (still) within the borders of politeness, if you know what I mean...

Click to expand...

NOT A TEACHER


(1) As the teachers have said, there is no polite way to use the words "mind your own

business." (For some people, those are "fighting words.")

(2) Actually if you really want to send a "strong" message without being

openly rude, you can always use the ultimate "weapon": SILENCE.

(3) For example, if someone says something that you feel is putting his/her

nose in your business, simply smile and say absolutely nothing. He/she will soon

get the message that he/she is out of line. Silence is powerful and terrifying to us

human beings.

(4) If someone writes something to you that you feel is out of line, simply do not

dignify it with an answer.

birgit33 said:

Is the question "Would/Could you mind your own business ?" a polite way to say "Mind your own business !" ?

Click to expand...

NOT A TEACHER


(1) If you insist on using the word "business," you could try this method (which

is firm yet not overly rude):

Mona: I hear that you are dating Tony.

Sue: That's right.

Mona: If I were you, I wouldn't date him. He belongs to religion X, you know.

Sue: (BIG smile) I think that's my business, don't you? (BIG smile)

birgit33 said:

Yes, I know "Mind your own business" is (quite) rude, so I'm trying to undo it from its rudest edges, but still wanting to send a "strong" message, which is (still) within the borders of politeness, if you know what I mean...

Click to expand...

Intonation could also affect the strength- an angry person could say Would you mind your own business with a heavy emphasis on would as a way of expressing real anger or exasperation.

And I am afraid that a common way of expressing it nowadays is, "F*** off"

fivejedjon said:

And I am afraid that a common way of expressing it nowadays is, "F*** off"

Click to expand...

Not that I would want to use it, but is there a difference in strength/rudeness between F*** off and B*gg** off for “leave me alone”? I've heard both quite often.

emka said:

Not that I would want to use it, but is there a difference in strength/rudeness between F*** off and B*gg** off for “leave me alone”? I've heard both quite often.

Click to expand...

Except among friends/colleagues who use the expressions in the full knowledge that no offence is intended or will be taken, both expressions should be considered offensive in that sense - always.