Is it rude to say, "why do you care?" as a response to someone expressing an interest in something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To a family member or close friend it’s rude. But to anyone else it’s definitely fine and not rude. People need to learn to mind their own business.

I would say it’s the opposite. I would have no problem asking my sister that. She would say the same to me. Neither of us would be offended. I would never say it to a colleague.

[Anonymous]

Someone who is “often discussing celebrity dramas” is sooo different than someone who is into anime. There’s something distasteful about gossip, whether about celebrities or peers. I’m not surprised you’re getting a negative reaction and should consider your audience more carefully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"what makes you ask?
" is much better

I was coming to say this. The question can be important because it can affect the answer, but I find this to be polite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is wildly rude.

+100. There is no way to say it, no tone or smile that would make this not rude.

[Anonymous]

Why do you care that I care?

[Anonymous]

Think it depends on how this was said.

If you are really into a celebrities life, I honestly would not understand why. So "why do you care?" may be legitimate question.

On the other hand, someone may be dismissing you, because they think it's shallow to care about this sort of thing.

Depends on the context..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone who is “often discussing celebrity dramas” is sooo different than someone who is into anime. There’s something distasteful about gossip, whether about celebrities or peers. I’m not surprised you’re getting a negative reaction and should consider your audience more carefully.

This.

Obsessive interest in celebrity gossip is different than interest in a particular writer or movie or genre or sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone who is “often discussing celebrity dramas” is sooo different than someone who is into anime. There’s something distasteful about gossip, whether about celebrities or peers. I’m not surprised you’re getting a negative reaction and should consider your audience more carefully.

Yes. An interest in other people which appears to invade their privacy -- whether they are a celebrity or someone you know -- is different than than an interest in a subject matter.

[Anonymous]

I think they're telling you THEY don't care about what you're talking about, so I would take note.

If you want to answer them -- and you're sincere -- you could say "I know, it probably seems silly to you, but with everything going on in my life, I find some comfort in knowing even the royals have problems."

See what they say then. A good friend will say, "What's going on, Larla? You can talk to me."

My mother lives alone and has been practically incarcerated during the pandemic. My calls with her often include minute-by-minute recitations of the plots from her TV shows or drama she's read about in the newspaper. I get it -- she has nothing else to tell me and she wants to stay on the phone -- but it's exhausting.

I would love for her to simply tell me how she's feeling instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have often been at the receiving end of this usually in response to me talking about an interest or hobby.

As a kid I was into animation and comic books. I would join message boards to discuss new releases and storylines.

As an adult I consume pop culture. I read People mag and often discuss celebrity dramas. I am sure I probably come across as excessive or a nerd but...I am a nerd?

I don't know, I always find it rude. I never say "why do you care?" if someone is obsessed with their favorite sports team or is into makeup or beauty.

Yes, it's rude...and people are into all kinds of things and that's great. I have friends who are gamers, gardeners, are into true crime...I have brilliant engineer friend who consumes romance novels (of a sensual nature) in quantity.
The only thing I would say OP (and it's because I have a DS who has some social skills issues and heavily into Magic the Gathering)-- read the room. If you love something, but someone is giving you body language to move on, then move on...but someone saying "why do you care" is rude. They're not telling you "hey let's talk about something else" (totally acceptable)- they're judging your interests (unacceptable and what you are interested in is just fine).

[Anonymous]

Extremely rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you care that I care?

Why do you care that I care that you care?

[Anonymous]

In todays world , too many people cant handle a mere response, they want more. I’ve used why do you care, a lot! I’m the Archie Bunker type of person .

[Anonymous]

Extremely