I am very interested in other people, does that make me nosey?

Yesterday I was informed by a member of my family, (namely my daughter) that I am very nosey.

She didn’t say it in a teasing way. It was more of a ‘ you’re really getting on my nerves’ kind of way. I was a bit hurt, to be honest because I don’t think I’m nosey at all.

I told her this. I was driving the car at the time. I glanced over to see her reaction and she was staring at me disdainfully. ‘ You are REALLY nosey and you ask too many questions.’

This 14 year old does not pull any punches. I may be nosey but she is certainly not diplomatic. She says it as it is and that’s the end of it.

‘It’s not that I’m nosey,’ I tell her, trying to justify myself. ‘It’s what you call journalistic instinct. It’s a pre-requisite of the job.’ She stares at me stoney-faced again and says, ‘It’s not. You’re just really nosey.’

I wouldn’t mind but all I asked her was who did she hang out with at her youth club Christmas party and what did everyone wear. I may have asked what did they get to eat and did she actually talk to anyone but that was it. God only knows what would’ve happened if I’d asked her did she get a shift – she’d probably have jumped out of the car and rang Childline!

The thing is – I am very interested in people. I like asking questions too. I want to know what you had for dinner, what are you watching on TV, when was the last time you argued with your other half, what do you think of Ryan Tubridy, what did you wear to the youth club Christmas party! I want to know all of it.

I’ve never thought of it as nosiness before, more as being inquisitive and interested. But it seems my naturally inquisitive mind is not going down well with the teenagers of the house. There’s a surprise! So I asked Himself.

‘Do you think I’m nosey?’ He stalls for time and instead of answering says, ‘Who said you were nosey?’ The Daughter pipes up, ‘Me! And she is nosey. She’s always asking questions.’ Imagine your own children being so harsh about you?

‘Your mother is very good at getting information out of people. That doesn’t necessarily mean she’s nosey, just that she’s good at getting people to talk.’ Good man! Teamwork makes the dream work!

‘Yeah she’d have been great in the Gestapo!’ laughs the Older Child.

‘She starts talking to complete strangers in the supermarket and asks them questions!’ The Youngest elaborates. ‘Only a really nosey person would do that, dad.’

Himself decides to sit on the fence as per…….’I’m Switzerland – staying neutral.’

I’m not staying where I’m not wanted. Anyone looking for an undercover agent? Will work for cheese and wine!

I’VE NEVER THOUGHT OF IT AS NOSINESS BEFORE, BUT IT SEEMS MY INQUISITIVE MIND IS NOT GOING DOWN WELL WITH THE TEENAGERS