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I don't know if this is a common phenomenon, but it has happened to me already more than once. Maybe my opinion of what constitutes intimate information is too narrow, or I just appear to be trustworthy to other people (Yes, you are right. Now I'm here, sharing it with the whole Internet...), or other people are just much more open.

###Situation*:

I participate in a training program. There is also someone, let's call her "Eve". I've never met her before and we also have barely anything to do with each other during the program.

However, one day we get to talk a little bit (just small talk about the program itself). And now, Eve starts to mention personal problems in too much detail (substance abuse according to WHO, not illegal). This was not totally out of context (rather some indirect motivation for doing some things) and not directly related to the program itself.

###Question:

What is a polite way to deal with such a sudden revelation?

The situation is a bit awkward for me, but I also do not want to make it awkward for the other person, appear too curious or disinterested etc. Please also note, that I want to keep it a bit more general, so anything usually deemed too private to tell strangers, but nothing illegal or insulting.

The question is not so much about someone raving on about a topic you don't like, it's rather about the mention itself (maybe even mentioned in passing only) - sharing information, that I at least (and many other people, judging from my experience) would share with people I trust very much, only. Information, that may leave you vulnerable.

*Don't worry, privacy is being protected here.

I don't know if this is a common phenomenon, but it has happened to me already more than once. Maybe my opinion of what constitutes intimate information is too narrow, or I just appear to be trustworthy to other people (Yes, you are right. Now I'm here, sharing it with the whole Internet...), or other people are just much more open.

Situation*:

I participate in a training program. There is also someone, let's call her "Eve". I've never met her before and we also have barely anything to do with each other during the program.

However, one day we get to talk a little bit (just small talk about the program itself). And now, Eve starts to mention personal problems in too much detail (substance abuse according to WHO, not illegal). This was not totally out of context (rather some indirect motivation for doing some things) and not directly related to the program itself.

Question:

What is a polite way to deal with such a sudden revelation?

The situation is a bit awkward for me, but I also do not want to make it awkward for the other person, appear too curious or disinterested etc. Please also note, that I want to keep it a bit more general, so anything usually deemed too private to tell strangers, but nothing illegal or insulting.

The question is not so much about someone raving on about a topic you don't like, it's rather about the mention itself (maybe even mentioned in passing only) - sharing information, that I at least (and many other people, judging from my experience) would share with people I trust very much, only. Information, that may leave you vulnerable.

*Don't worry, privacy is being protected here.

I don't know if this is a common phenomenon, but it has happened to me already more than once. Maybe my opinion of what constitutes intimate information is too narrow, or I just appear to be trustworthy to other people (Yes, you are right. Now I'm here, sharing it with the whole Internet...), or other people are just much more open.

###Situation*:

I participate in a training program. There is also someone, let's call her "Eve". I've never met her before and we also have barely anything to do with each other during the program.

However, one day we get to talk a little bit (just small talk about the program itself). And now, Eve starts to mention personal problems in too much detail (substance abuse according to WHO, not illegal). This was not totally out of context (rather some indirect motivation for doing some things) and not directly related to the program itself.

###Question:

What is a polite way to deal with such a sudden revelation?

The situation is a bit awkward for me, but I also do not want to make it awkward for the other person, appear too curious or disinterested etc. Please also note, that I want to keep it a bit more general, so anything usually deemed too private to tell strangers, but nothing illegal or insulting.

The question is not so much about someone raving on about a topic you don't like, it's rather about the mention itself - sharing information, that I at least (and many other people, judging from my experience) would share with people I trust very much, only. Information, that may leave you vulnerable.

*Don't worry, privacy is being protected here.

I don't know if this is a common phenomenon, but it has happened to me already more than once. Maybe my opinion of what constitutes intimate information is too narrow, or I just appear to be trustworthy to other people (Yes, you are right. Now I'm here, sharing it with the whole Internet...), or other people are just much more open.

###Situation*:

I participate in a training program. There is also someone, let's call her "Eve". I've never met her before and we also have barely anything to do with each other during the program.

However, one day we get to talk a little bit (just small talk about the program itself). And now, Eve starts to mention personal problems in too much detail (substance abuse according to WHO, not illegal). This was not totally out of context (rather some indirect motivation for doing some things) and not directly related to the program itself.

###Question:

What is a polite way to deal with such a sudden revelation?

The situation is a bit awkward for me, but I also do not want to make it awkward for the other person, appear too curious or disinterested etc. Please also note, that I want to keep it a bit more general, so anything usually deemed too private to tell strangers, but nothing illegal or insulting.

The question is not so much about someone raving on about a topic you don't like, it's rather about the mention itself (maybe even mentioned in passing only) - sharing information, that I at least (and many other people, judging from my experience) would share with people I trust very much, only. Information, that may leave you vulnerable.

*Don't worry, privacy is being protected here.