DEAR ERIC: Many companies are training their employees to “be friendlier.” Now, when I go to pay for my groceries or have bloodwork done at a lab, someone invariably asks me, “so what are you doing the rest of your day?” I find that to be very intrusive from someone I don’t know and may never see again. I understand they have been trained so it isn’t necessarily their fault, but I need a better response than “who wants to know?” or “why are you asking me this?”

– Trying to Keep Boundaries

Dear Boundaries: Something general and meaningless can help divert small talk such as this. “Oh, not sure” or “enjoying it, I hope” or “this and that.” These are empty calorie phrases that keep the ball in the air without forcing you to divulge anything you don’t want to divulge.

It’s also helpful to k

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