To ask why money is sometimes quite a taboo subject to talk about with other people?

[ThisGreenDog]

I’ve noticed that money seems to be a bit of a no-go topic in many conversations. People can feel awkward or even offended if it’s brought up, whether it’s about salaries, personal finances, or even just the cost of things. AIBU to wonder why this is?

Is it a cultural thing, or does it come down to privacy? Maybe it’s about not wanting to seem like we’re comparing, or is it something else entirely? Do you find talking about money uncomfortable, or do you think it’s something people should be more open about?

It's one of those topics that's on a 'need to know' basis. I used to have to ask people about their income, expenditure and debts in a previous job role, as the information was needed to best help/advise them, but other than that I have no need for that information.

I think that not disclosing information, whatever the nature, is a bit like a secret, in that it holds power, however slight.

It won't stop people guessing or making assumptions that may very well not be correct, but as long as everything isn't in black and white it enables people to make choices which better suit them.

People use the money they have to their advantage, use money they don't have but pretend they have to their advantage, use their lack of money to their advantage and often use their pretend lack of money to their advantage.

None of this would be possible if they were to disclose the true situation .

Because it's crass. Whether that's just a societal thing, I don't know but I would never discuss or share that, mainly because why? What purpose would it serve?

Hmm, it's an interesting one. But I think I prefer the privacy. You only have to see the number of threads on here where people say "I know that X earns well, so should be getting us better presents/doesn't need the same support from our parents/should be happy splitting the bill/is being tight not going to the destination wedding" to know that the information sometimes just feeds misery.

As long as people correctly disclose information to those who need to know then it really is nobody else's business.

I'm interested to know whether that is more or less than what you earn.

The point about envy is very interesting.

I've always been in the bottom quartile of earnings among my friends (due to taking time out to go travelling and generally prioritising balance instead of killing myself to rise through the ranks quickly), but I have always been happy for, and proud of, my friends who earn a lot more than me.

I would be devastated if, in the unlikely event that I outearn them one day, they were envious and bitter towards me.