What to do with a close family member...

who knows what you do, and is a little bit braggy about it? As in "My ______ is a mystery shopper" when somebody asks what I do for work. I have asked this person not to say anything to anybody else, but they are often my guest for restaurants or as driver on days when I would otherwise be biking, or even on public transit.

I just thought of this but next time I can bring it up, I will tell this person that anybody who knows what I do, I then can't MS anybody they are friends or family with, even if I don't know this person or what they look like.

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Indeed, and point out that it could very quickly impact how much work you are able to do so she could very quickly hurt your bottom line. But if this is your transportation, go gently.

This close family member does not respect you or what you do, when you have asked her/him repeatedly to not tell others what you do and that person says something anyway...

Explain one more time and tell this person this is the LAST time you are going to tell them to NOT tell "others" what you do. The "other" person you could run into on a shop and that person could blurt out that you are a shopper, not understanding the confidentiality.

I would find someone else to partner up with or just do more solo shops.

Your family member cannot be educated, so teach everyone else that you do marketing, auditing, or something clever.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

This is exactly why I do not tell friends and family or strangers what I do. Only two people know what I do and only one of them is a parent. The other parent is a "bragger" so I keep them in the dark.

Yes, the fewer people who know, the better. Explain that you sign confidentiality agreements, and it is best not to disclose the nature of your occupation. I say something more general, such as that I do business evaluations.

If you want to tell everyone in your family or a particular group something you can tell one person and they spread the news like wildfire. It's what they do. I have several in my family and this type of person is exactly why the fact I mystery shop is a closely held secret.

Unfortunately for you the cat is out of the bag with your family member. You might have to resort to extreme measures like getting another dinner companion/driver and lying about your work. Tell them you quit, or reinvent your business for them as something like consulting, auditing, merchandising or the like.

Good luck.

Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut

Uggg. My dad does this. He's just one of those chatty people who will not be vague. So when my cousin asks what I'm doing now he tells them all about it because he thinks it's interesting. His response to please don't tell people is what am I supposed to say, I'm not gonna be rude to them and say it's none of their business.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

I have this issue...Always!

I do the eye roll and the look of he is off his rocker. When it has been really bad, I've been honest and let my scheduler know.

My person is 94 and I'd rather lose the shop. I know my Dad will not be around forever. Dad is more important than $10 any day of my week.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

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What to do with a close family member...

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