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Business English from All Ears English

BE 405: Rather Not Say? How to Avoid Offending in Business English

Apr 29, 2025
14:21

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Using polite phrases like 'I'd rather not say' helps maintain professionalism and personal boundaries in challenging workplace conversations.
  • Employing gentle humor and swiftly changing the subject can ease awkwardness and reinforce positive connections with coworkers after declining personal inquiries.

Deep dives

Navigating Awkward Questions at Work

Responding to personal or intrusive questions in a work setting can be challenging. Instead of reacting defensively, one can use polite phrases like "I'd rather not say" or "I'm not comfortable discussing that" to maintain professionalism. Such responses not only show respect for personal boundaries but also help preserve workplace relationships. It's important to approach these situations with sensitivity, understanding the cultural and personal dynamics at play.

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