Friends & datingAdvanced
Avoiding salary questions in English (advanced)
Advanced English for avoiding salary questions. Key line: “I'd rather keep that private.”
Full script
Lin
Hey, can we not do exact numbers? My wallet gets stage fright.
Them
Oh, come on—just a ballpark? I promise I won't audit your wallet.
Lin
I'd rather not say; let's just call it rent, noodles, and survival.
Them
Wow, that narrows it down to basically everyone in this city.
Lin
Exactly—and if I say a number, people start doing math on my lunch.
Them
Fair enough. So what's your official answer when nosy people start fishing?
Lin
Usually, I'd rather keep that private, then I change the subject to dumplings.
Them
Smart. If dumplings appear, I suddenly forget numbers, budgets, and every follow-up question.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
rough
✓ just a ballparkPolite: asking for an estimate
Common for rough numbers
no answer
✓ I'd rather not say.Polite: you don't want to answer
Polite refusal; softer than 'I don't want to'
private
✓ keep that privateUsed for personal information
Natural for privacy topics
new topic
✓ change the subjectMove to another topic
Can be followed by to + a new topic
Quick answers
rough: what to say in English
Say “just a ballpark” — polite: asking for an estimate. Common for rough numbers.
no answer: what to say in English
Say “I'd rather not say.” — polite: you don't want to answer. Polite refusal; softer than 'I don't want to'.
private: what to say in English
Say “keep that private” — used for personal information. Natural for privacy topics.
new topic: what to say in English
Say “change the subject” — move to another topic. Can be followed by to + a new topic.