This is why British people don’t talk about money?

[MoneyTalks202]

I think the reason why we don’t talk about money is because people then use that as ammunition against us.

If your low earning and tell people your household earns X amount, people then question how you can afford to do xyz.

If your high earning and tell people how much you earn, people then question why you can’t do xyz and assume you must be debt or something.

So it’s easier just to not talk about it?

An acquaintance who works in a similar role in a different organisation asked me how much I earn a while back. Turned out he earned quite a bit more than me. I applied for a job where he works, got it, and now earn £8000/year more than I did a year ago. That's why it's good to discuss salaries.

Exactly this.

The owner class tell us it’s crass to talk about earnings, only because the secrecy affords them the ability to pay as little as possible, wherever possible.

My main job (trade union hq) before kids was on tiered salaries and we all knew what everyone else was on.

I don't think it's a 'British' thing. Our family and friends are all Scottish and Irish and talk about money.
Maybe it's an example of British being used when you actually mean English.

It's not 'talking about money' which is taboo as such but talking about personal finances.

The 'jealousy' angle which is mentioned on this thread has never occurred to me but I think people would find it embarrassing if anyone spoke too much about their money, it is vulgar, and I have always been turned off if in the company of anyone who does that. I really don't want to know. I feel sure no-one would want to know about mine.

It's an interesting attitude, and one I'vealways found a bit odd. But I like talking about money/finance - I find it interesting. So I always enjoy finding someone else who feels the same.

I’ve been told the British are quite secretive about our earnings by my friend. I think that’s why. Could be wrong.

I suggest you read Watching The English by Kate Fox. She would say it's due to our attitude around 'fairness'.

I don't necessarily talk about income with friends but do talk about finances - costs, savings, money management, what we prioritise...

I did go forensically thru her finances with a friend a few years ago, when she separated from her husband.

In a workplace environment it can be relevant

But what benefit would talking about my salary with my friends have? It doesn't really indicate how much I can afford, how much spending I have. I would be happy to tell my friends if they asked but its just not something that would ever come up in regular conversation. They must know roughly based off my Job, house, holidays etc.

Money is apparently ", the root of all evil". I was brought up not to discuss, money, politics,sex,or religious. You can see why even looking on MN postings. My DH came home from work a couple of years ago, someone had left their wageslip on view,he was earning considerably more than my much higher qualified H.. I do have friends from other countries who will always ask how much you paid for a property and how many bedrooms you have.

@nannybeach what did your husband do with that information?

I thought I had quite a relaxed attitude to money, for instance I will happily boast about a bargain, but I was shocked when we met a chap from Korea recently and within 10 mins he had asked us how much our salaries were, how much our house was worth and what we had in savings!
Guess its cultural.

I cringe when my husband talks about our household income. We’re quite high earners and somehow he seems to bring it up regularly even though I’ve told him I’d prefer it if he wouldn’t. It just seems really crass and comes across like he’s boasting. I wouldn’t dream of doing the same and have never mentioned it to anyone.

Discussing salaries/wages with colleagues is a different thing though if the purpose if to discover disparities.

What's the purpose of knowing what a mate who does a different job at a different company?

Unless they want to tell you of course?

Why would my finances be of any interest to anyone else ? Odd

Tbh I don't think it's necessarily 100% British thing.
I am open about money and like to talk about different saving accounts I found etc. Money are part of life so no issue chatting about them. I give rounded up figures if anything, happily give house price etc.
I do still know some people back in my native country who don't talk money at all, usually older generation like my grandparents so makes me wonder if it's more generational thing?

moneyandpensionsservice.org.uk/2022/11/07/one-in-six-uk-adults-have-no-savings/

This survey agrees. Most common reason for not talking about finances is fear of being judged. I find that very sad.

The survey is discussed on another thread and it may be quite skewed as well from what I saw

I find it embarrassing to talk about money but I make myself do it, because I agree that we should all be more open with our pay to make it harder for employers to discriminate. I don't talk about it unless asked.

On Mumsnet I wouldn't bother, because I'm sure an awful lot of posters lie about their salary.

I think the above is spot on. Although lots of people seem very happy to talk about their house price.

Because mine was 80k!😂

Well I agree OP, it's not the only reason but it's definitely a factor for a lot of people.

I think it's a legacy of the class system tbh.

I think not talking about money plays into the hands of those who profit from low wage workers. The UK has the largest gap between the richest and the poorest citizens in Europe.

yep

Thankfully it’s something that’s become a lot less taboo throughout the generations.

that's true, I suppose house prices been easier to look up as changed things too.

Salaries have stagnated for 10 years plus for the majority, we are far more unequal than other European countries. It's good to talk.