what-are-you-doing-response Archives * flexco.com

The question “Whatcha doing?” is an informal way of asking someone what they are doing. Although it is common in spoken English, it might come across as being a bit nosy or rude in written form. It’s usually best to use more formal language when writing, especially in professional or academic settings. If you’re not sure if “whatcha doing” is appropriate for a particular situation, it’s generally better to err on the side of caution and use a more formal phrase instead.

If you friend asks you “Whatcha doing?”, you don’t need to respond formally. However, if someone you don’t know well, such as a coworker, acquaintance, or someone in a position of authority asks, your response should be more polite. You can simply say “I’m doing well, thank you” and then you can briefly mention what you’re currently working on. For example, you could say, “I’m doing well, thank you. I’m currently working on a project for my English class.” Your response should be brief and to the point. You don’t want to bore the person with a long explanation of everything you’re doing.

Here are some additional tips for responding to the question “Whatcha doing?”:

Be polite and respectful, even if you don’t know the person well.
Keep your response brief and to the point.

If you’re not comfortable sharing what you’re doing, you can simply say that you’re busy or that you’d rather not say.

Responding to the question “Whatcha doing?” is simple, but it’s important to be mindful of your tone and the context of the situation. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your response is polite and appropriate.

Responding with a Direct Answer

When someone asks you “Whatcha doing?” or “What are you doing?”, a direct answer is the most straightforward approach. This response provides a clear and concise account of your current activity. Here are some tips for responding with a direct answer:

1. Be Specific

Avoid using vague or general terms when giving your answer. Instead, provide specific details about what you’re doing. For example, instead of saying “I’m working,” you could say “I’m writing an article on how to respond to ‘Whatcha doing?'” This level of detail helps the person asking the question get a better understanding of your activity.

2. Use Active Language

Use active language rather than passive language when describing your actions. Active language implies that you are actively engaged in the activity, while passive language suggests that the activity is being done to you. For example, instead of saying “I’m being asked a question,” you could say “I’m answering a question.” Active language makes your response sound more engaging and dynamic.

3. Be Concise

While it’s important to provide enough detail in your answer, try to be as concise as possible. Avoid rambling on and including unnecessary information. A concise response is more likely to be understood and remembered by the person asking the question.

Direct Answer	Meaning
“I’m watching TV.”	You are currently viewing a television program.
“I’m reading a book.”	You are currently reading a printed or electronic book.
“I’m cooking dinner.”	You are preparing a meal.

Using Humor to Defuse the Situation

Humor can be a powerful tool for diffusing tense or awkward situations. When someone asks, “Watcha doing?” with a confrontational tone, it’s important to remain calm and respond with a lighthearted or witty retort. Here are some examples:

Your Response	Example
Deadpan	“Contemplating the meaning of life… while waiting for my pizza to arrive.”
Sarcastic	“Oh, just plotting world domination… nothing major.”
Self-deprecating	“I’m just here, being hopelessly incompetent and trying not to embarrass myself further.”

By responding with humor, you can take the sting out of the situation and turn it into a more lighthearted exchange. This can help to defuse any potential conflict and create a more positive atmosphere.

Establishing Boundaries Politely

When someone asks “Whatcha doing?” and you feel uncomfortable sharing your personal information, it’s essential to communicate your boundaries respectfully.

Keep It Simple and Direct

Politely and directly indicate that you’re not comfortable answering that question. For instance, you can say, “I’m not comfortable sharing that information.” This response is concise, clear, and sets a firm boundary.

Use Indirect Language

If you prefer a more indirect approach, try using phrases like, “That’s a private matter I’d rather keep personal.” This suggests that you value your privacy without being confrontational.

Offer an Alternative Response

Consider offering an alternative response to redirect the conversation. For example, you could say, “I’m just finishing up some work” or “I’m taking a break right now.” This gives the other person a response without disclosing specific details.

Establish Clear Limits

If the persistent behavior continues, you may need to establish clearer limits. Explain that you will only answer questions related to essential topics, such as work or professional matters. You can also set time limits for conversations, restricting them to specific hours.

Use Nonverbal Cues

Body language and facial expressions can also convey boundaries. Maintain eye contact, stand up straight, and have an assertive posture. This demonstrates that you are confident and not easily swayed.

Practice Your Responses

Prepare and practice how you will respond to unwanted questions. This will help you stay calm and assertive when the situation arises.

Be Consistent

Enforce your boundaries consistently. Don’t allow exceptions, as it can weaken their effectiveness. By staying firm and respectful, you can establish clear boundaries and protect your privacy.

Maintaining a Professional Tone

When responding to “Whatcha doing?” in a professional setting, it is crucial to maintain a formal and respectful tone. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Address the person appropriately: Use formal titles (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr.) and their last name, unless you have a close relationship with them.
Be brief and to the point: Provide a concise response that clearly conveys your current task or status.
Use proper grammar and punctuation: Errors can create a negative impression and undermine your professionalism.
Avoid slang or informal language: Stick to standard English and avoid jargon or colloquialisms.
Consider the context: Tailor your response to the formality of the environment and the relationship you have with the person asking the question.
Be polite and respectful: Even if you are busy or interrupted, respond with courtesy and acknowledge the person’s presence.

Maintaining Clarity and Precision

In addition to maintaining a professional tone, it is important to ensure that your response is clear and precise. Here are some guidelines:

Use specific language: Provide details about what you are currently working on or what you have accomplished.
Avoid vague or ambiguous statements: Be specific and provide enough information to avoid confusion or misunderstandings.
Use appropriate technical terms: If necessary, use industry-specific terms to convey your tasks or responsibilities accurately.
Be concise: While it is important to provide enough information, keep your response brief and to the point.

Appropriate Responses	Inappropriate Responses
“I am currently reviewing the project proposal.”	“I’m busy.”
“I am preparing for the upcoming presentation.”	“I’m just doing some stuff.”
“I have a meeting scheduled in the next hour.”	“I’m not doing much just now.”

Asking for Clarification

If you’re not sure what someone means when they ask “Whatcha doing,” you can ask for clarification. Here are a few ways to do this:

Could you please be more specific?
I’m not sure what you mean. Can you explain?
Sorry, I don’t understand. Could you rephrase that?

If the person still doesn’t clarify, you can try to guess what they mean based on the context of the conversation. However, it’s important to avoid making assumptions. If you’re not sure, it’s always better to ask for clarification.

Here’s a more detailed explanation of the last point:

Don’t assume	Do ask for clarification
“Whatcha doing?” “Oh, just browsing the web.” (But you’re actually shopping for clothes.)	“Whatcha doing?” “I’m not sure what you mean. Can you explain?”

By asking for clarification, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure that you’re on the same page as the other person.

Silently Ignoring the Question

The most straightforward response to “Watcha doing?” is to simply ignore it. This can be effective if you are in a situation where you don’t want to engage with the person asking the question or if you are simply not in the mood to talk. However, if the person persists in asking you what you are doing, it may be best to respond to them to avoid appearing rude or dismissive.

Here are some tips for silently ignoring the question:

Maintain eye contact and a neutral expression.
Continue with what you were doing and do not make any verbal or nonverbal cues that indicate you have heard the question.
If the person continues to ask, you can try moving away or changing the subject.

This table summarizes when it is appropriate to silently ignore the question “Watcha doing?”:

Situation	Response
You are in a public place and do not know the person asking the question	Ignore the question
You are in a private setting and the person asking the question is not a close acquaintance	Ignore the question
You are busy or otherwise occupied	Ignore the question

Politely Requesting Privacy

If you’d prefer to avoid giving a direct answer, or if you need to focus on a task, you can politely request privacy by following these steps:

1. Acknowledge the question: Let the person know that you’ve heard them and understand their question. For example, “I see you’re curious.”

2. Express your need for privacy: Explain that you’re currently focusing on a task or need some time to yourself. For example, “I’m trying to concentrate on something right now.”

3. Offer an alternative time: If possible, suggest a time when you’ll be more available to talk. For example, “I’ll be happy to chat later.”

4. Be firm but polite: Maintain a level of firmness in your tone while being respectful of the other person. For example, “I appreciate your understanding.”

5. Use non-verbal cues: Body language, such as maintaining eye contact, can convey your need for privacy.

6. Set boundaries: If the person persists, remind them of your boundaries and reiterate your need for privacy. For example, “I’ve explained that I need some time alone.”

7. Consider using the following phrases:

Respond with a Brief Explanation

When responding with a brief explanation to “Watcha doing?”, consider the following options:

Respond with “Nothing”

Use this response when you are genuinely not engaged in any specific activity.

Respond with “Just [activity]”

Simply state the activity you are currently doing, such as “Just watching TV” or “Just reading a book”.

Respond with “I’m [subject] [verb]”

Combine subject and verb to describe your action, e.g. “I’m working on a project” or “I’m studying for a test”.

Respond with “Thinking about [something]”

Express your current thoughts, e.g. “Thinking about what to cook for dinner” or “Thinking about a new project”.

Respond with “Nothing, just chilling”

Use this casual response to convey that you are relaxing or not actively engaged.

Respond with “Just waiting for [something]”

Indicate that you are waiting for something specific, such as “Just waiting for a call” or “Just waiting for my pizza to arrive”.

Respond with “I’m [doing activity] for [reason]”

Provide a brief explanation of your activity and reason behind it, e.g. “I’m cleaning my car for the weekend trip” or “I’m finishing some work for a deadline”.

Respond with “I’m [feeling] because [reason]”

Express your current emotional state and provide a reason for it. This response allows for a more personal and nuanced communication. For example, “I’m feeling excited because I’m going on a trip tomorrow” or “I’m feeling stressed because I have a presentation this afternoon”.

Using Assertive Communication

1. Maintain Eye Contact

Look directly at the person while responding, establishing a sense of confidence and respect.

2. Use “I” Statements

Take ownership of your feelings by using “I” statements. For example, instead of saying “You’re bothering me,” try “I find it distracting when you ask me about my day while I’m working.”

3. Be Clear and Direct

State your boundaries or intentions clearly and concisely. Avoid using vague or indirect language that could be misinterpreted.

4. Use a Calm and Firm Tone of Voice

Maintain a calm and controlled tone of voice, even if you’re feeling annoyed or frustrated. This will help prevent the situation from escalating.

5. Set Boundaries

Establish clear boundaries regarding what you’re willing and not willing to tolerate. Politely but firmly inform the other person that their behavior is unacceptable.

6. Don’t Interrupt

Allow the other person to finish speaking before responding. This shows respect for their opinion and gives you time to gather your thoughts.

7. Use Physical Barriers

If possible, create physical barriers to discourage further interruptions. For example, you could move to a different room or use headphones to block out distractions.

8. Stay Positive

Focus on positive and productive responses rather than dwelling on the negative. For example, instead of saying “Stop interrupting me,” try “I appreciate it when you give me the time to finish my thoughts.”

9. Additional Tips for Responding to “Whatcha Doing”

Response	Explanation
“I’m in the middle of something important.”	Politely informs the person that you’re not available for conversation.
“I have a deadline to meet.”	Provides a specific reason for your unavailability, creating a sense of urgency.
“I need to focus on my work right now.”	Emphasizes the importance of your task and politely declines an interruption.
“I’d rather not be disturbed at this moment.”	Sets a clear boundary and directly communicates your need for peace and quiet.
“Could you please give me some space?”	Asks the person to respect your personal space and avoid distractions.

Avoiding Confrontation

When someone asks you “Whatcha doing?” in an aggressive or confrontational manner, it’s important to remain calm and avoid escalating the situation. Here are 10 tips for responding without confrontation:

1. Stay Calm: Remain composed and avoid reacting emotionally. Losing your temper will only worsen the situation.

2. Be Polite: Even if the other person is being rude, respond with a respectful tone. This will show that you’re not going to engage in their negativity.

3. Use “I” Statements: Explain your actions using “I” statements. For example, say “I’m just trying to get some work done” instead of “You’re bothering me.”

4. Set Boundaries: Firmly but politely explain that you don’t appreciate being interrupted or questioned in such a way. Use phrases like “I’d prefer not to be disturbed right now.”

5. Ignore the Question: In some cases, the best response is simply to ignore the question and continue with what you’re doing. This shows that you’re not going to tolerate their behavior.

6. Offer an Alternative: If you’re willing, suggest a more appropriate time for them to ask their question or discuss the matter further. This allows you to maintain some control over the conversation.

7. Use Humor: Sometimes, a light-hearted response can defuse the tension. Try something like “Just minding my own business, like a good little citizen.”

8. Ask for Clarification: If you’re not sure what the other person is asking, ask for clarification. This shows that you’re interested in understanding their perspective.

9. Walk Away: If all else fails, you may need to physically walk away from the situation. Let the other person know that you’re not going to engage with them further.

10. Assess the Situation: If you feel that the other person is genuinely concerned about your well-being or safety, take their concerns seriously. Listen to what they have to say and respond appropriately.

Appropriate Response	Inappropriate Response
“I’m just trying to get some work done.”	“Why do you care?”
“I’d prefer not to be disturbed right now.”	“Mind your own business.”
“What would you like to talk about later?”	“Talk to me when I’m not busy.”

How To Respond To Watcha Doing

When someone asks you “Whatcha doing?”, there are a few different ways you can respond. The best response will depend on the situation and your relationship with the person asking. Here are a few tips on how to respond to “Whatcha doing?”:

Be honest. If you’re not doing anything, just say so. There’s no need to make up a story or try to sound busy.
Be brief. Don’t give a long, detailed explanation of what you’re doing. Just give a quick overview.
Be polite. Even if you’re not in the mood to talk, be polite to the person asking. A simple “I’m just relaxing” or “I’m working on a project” will do.
Be creative. If you’re feeling playful, you can respond with a creative answer. For example, “I’m training my pet dinosaur” or “I’m trying to solve the world’s hunger problem.” Be sure to have a sense of humor!