In America, why is it rude to ask someone how much money they make?
In many countries, it's not considered rude at all and in some, like China, it's perfectly natural. Some would say, it's none of my business, but why is that? It's not like I can do anything to benefit myself at your expense if I know how much money you make. If we routinely asked people in America how much money they made do you think that would help women get equal pay? Does keeping this a taboo subject benefit the average worker or the average executive?
Politics - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Maybe because in communist places like China, there might not be a big difference in what people make. I really dont care if people know how much I make now, but when i was working with a larger group of people whjo all held the same title I didnt want sanyone to know, because we had been through a few raises and such and you dont want someone getting mad because you got a better raise than they did, you know, you have to work with these people everyday adn they were women and you know how evil and windictive women can be
2 :
I do not feel it is any-ones business what i make. No good can come of it and jealousy abounds or one is laughed at behind their back. Why would you want to know.?
3 :
because they are introverts
4 :
In a free-market society like the U.S., asking someone how much they make is basically asking how successful in their career they are, which is a very personal question. Personally, I'd be embarrassed to tell my colleagues my salary if it was very low. It's a reflection on how hard I work.
5 :
That's like asking a person, so....are you gay or straight? It's none of anybody elses business. People share what they want to share, as it should be.
6 :
Because it could be considered as being endowed by the payer certain alienable assets. Custom.
7 :
There are many other countries where this is rude. It IS none of anyone's business; people who think they need to know need to suck it up and realize that their curiosity is simply rude. Most people who ask are up to no good anyway. It's none of your business because it's not your life or income, it's that of the person you're asking. You'd need to give a real reason it WOULD be any of your business, since it has nothing to do with you. Many employers forbid employees to exchange this information. No, I don't see how everyone blabbling their personal business would do anything to promote equality between the sexes. Yes, it benefits a variety of inconsistencies in pay, but it's also simply not anyone else's business. If people told this, then the askers would start criticizing how they spend their own money, or otherwise try to control it.
8 :
China and Japan are very success orientated. So I guess thats why its ok to ask how much they earn. People don't want other people to judge them. Like if they earn a lot people might think they are a snob, if they don't earn much people might'nt take them seriously or may think less of them. Thats what I believe. You don't ask people here in Ireland how much they earn either. But then again its turned into a culture of cheapskate's and scumbags looking for a quick buck (this countries gone to the dogs unfortunately.) Good luck!
