if you don't mind me asking

Said before or after a question that one thinks may make the other person feel upset, offended, or uncomfortable, especially if the question is very personal, direct, or tactless. How much are they paying you, if you don't mind me asking? I want to make sure I'm not getting shortchanged. If you don't mind me asking, why have you stayed with your husband for so long? You clearly don't love him anymore. That's an awfully fancy car you've got there! If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost?