How do I tell people to mind their own business

About 25 years ago, a rumour was spread about me at my high school reunion (I didn't go: the grade was full of immature, nasty bitches). I found out about the rumour/lies from just ONE person who had the guts to tell me (the rumours are too ridiculous and slanderous).

Consequently, the rumour which started out 25 years ago would come to haunt me at my workplace. Recently at work,, one customer asked if I went to her school. I foolishly said "yes" and we ended up in long conversation. The customer next to her, then started asking me personal questions about my birthplace and family etc. I overheard a work colleague/office bitch spread that rumour around because a customer told her the story (I am not sure which customer told her: was it the school acquaintance, a family member of the school acquaintance that was there, or the strange customer that huddled close to the school acquaintance?).

I hate it when customers ask me personal questions for no reason (other than to be nosey and not to genuinely be friends) eg "where were you born", "how old is your mother", "how is the health of your father, I saw him in hospital", etc. I don't like being asked personal questions by strangers. How should I tell people to mind their own business. I hate being talked about by strangers, especially when they get their information incorrect.

I would just tell people goofy stories that aren't true. One of the only joys of working retail is making up elaborate and absurd background stories about yourself with various customers and seeing if you can keep your story straight next time you see them.

That is, of course, unless you think the customer genuinely wants to know and seems like a good person.

That's easy, just say, "Mind your own business."

If I were in this situation, and it involved customers and I had to be polite, I would say, "I don't talk about my private life at work." or "Is there anything I can help you with in the store?" You can change the subject. They should get the message. You shouldn't feel obligated to talk about your private life at work or anyplace else. One response I read about if somebody asks you a nosy question is to say, "Why are you asking?" The only problem I can see with this is it might not work with everyone, and they may offer an excuse and you may feel more trapped. I think the important thing is to stay in control or at least appear to be.

I've had people ask me private questions or questions that are considered rude, they got mad when I very politely told them that we don't ask those type of questions where I come from. I think I should have been more firm and not worry about being rude to someone who was clearly being rude to me and felt entitled to do so. Some people just laugh the question off or don't respond at all. I'm sure you will think of your own way to handle it. I want to say it happens to me too.

MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOVE ALL DON’T LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT
DON’T FEED INTO THE NEGATIVITY OR DO OR SAY SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT REGRET
I KNOW THESE PEOPLE REALLY GET ON YOUR NERVES
THERE’S PROBABLY A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS YOU CAN THINK OF THAT THEY PROBABLY DESERVE
BUT I LEARNED THAT THEIR PETTINESS IS REALLY NONE OF YOUR CONCERN
EVENTUALLY KARMA WILL PAY A VISIT AND THEY’LL GET WHAT THEY SPENT A LOT EFFORT TO EARN
RUMORS ARE LIKE TUMORS
SOME ARE MALIGNANT AND BENIGN
THE MALIGNANT ONES ARE INTENDED TO HURT YOU BY DESIGN
JUST CONTINUE BEING THE BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO THE LIES
BECAUSE IN DUE TIME
THE ONLY ONES WHO’LL END UP SUFFERING IS THEM
AND FOR YOU EVERYTHING WILL END UP FINE

P.S. IF IT’S CORNY SORRY, JUST TRYING TO USE THE SPIRIT OF SONG TO BRING A SMILE, ONE STEP (POST) AT A TIME 