What I've learned to say over time is that I don't answer personal questions. If they don't like it tough. I hate it when they think they have the right to know stuff like...are you married, how much do you pay in rent (I mean really!), how much do you earn (none of your business)...
I used to make stuff up or be honest just to vary it but then they would inevitably follow on with further intrusive questions, so no more.
I agree. Recently a seriously irritating client who's always asking me out for a drink despite me always telling him i don't see clients outside of work asked me how much i earn. I just said 'how much do you earn?'. Basically my point was taken. It's so rude!
I hate clients knowing anything about my personal life. I like to keep the 2 seperate. When I'm working, i'm not me, I'm putting on an act. So essentially an actress and with that comes me lying when they ask personal questions. Just living up to my fake persona as i don't want them knowing anything about me. The amount of times I've had clients ask what my real name is and what area of my city do i live in. Like hell do I want people knowing my real name. A couple of clients "think" they know my real name. They asked and as i don't like confrontation i just always give them a fake name i.e 'Sophie' and then they have the nerve to text me saying 'Hi Sophie, are you available today'. That's why I'm so glad i have a fake back up name. I don't want clients texting me thinking they're something special referring to me by my real name. If i wanted clients knowing my real name then my AW profile would refer to my real name!
Occasionally i have found myself saying things about my private life after they've asked and I've completely regretted it straight after. I like them to know as little as possible about my life.