<p>I hate being nosy but i learn a lot by noticing people or asking them personal questions. What is my problem?</p>
<p>You’re nosy…? That’d be your problem. What are you trying to ask? Whether there’s something wrong with that or how to stop being nosy?</p>
<p>How to ask people politely without hurting them or making them feel as if im trying to compete?</p>
<p>Talk about yourself and ask them for advice. If they want to share personal details, they will.</p>
<p>It depends on what you mean by “personal questions”. Asking other people about themselves is a GOOD thing–it shows that you’re interested in who they are and what they think. You wouldn’t want to hang out with a person who can only talk about himself for hours on end. </p>
<p>Assuming you’re talking about acquaintances, not close friends, there are plenty of questions that could be described as “personal” but not invasive. For example, you could ask someone how he feels about something, like a class, a movie, a sports team, etc. Bad personal questions are generally akin to gossip (how someone feels about someone, anything to do with grades, just about anything to do with sex/relationships). Also avoid obviously tactless personal inquiries (weight, money, health problems, and so on). One time, someone I knew only by name saw me taking medicine and asked me point-blank what the medication was for…it was pretty uncomfortable. It’s not easy to find a tactful way to say “it’s none of your business.”</p>
<p>^ I’d like to add emphasis to the money bit. Don’t ask about money (don’t even ask your best friend). I had one person ask me how much I got in FA and then go further (practically asking about my parents). Extremely awkward - you can guess who’s permanently crossed off my friends list.</p>
<p>Thanks guys for responding. Last week, a classmate of mine told me about some good tutorials she found in the internet. Instantly, i asked her to send me the links to the website. She paused and said okay but didnt and i felt bad for being nosy. This had happened before also. Now she thinks im trying to compete with her.</p>
<p>^
I think she’s the odd one in this scenario. You needed help, and she was reluctant in assisting. I would’ve helped you whether you were my friend or just an acquaintance. At least, I would think that’s the nice thing to do :I</p>
<p>As long as its not Facebook stalking, and you’re not being rude when you ask questions, than I don’t see anything wrong with that.</p>