Why is it rude to ask people their salary?

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Is it because some are too ashamed about their income? Or is it because they are too afraid they will get judged by their income and might get accused of being a yuppie or hipster?


If you don't tell people your salary, why?

I think that those could be some of the answers. I don't share my salary with others. I tell them that I make enough to get buy.

I think it has to do with the idea of being humble (it is considered tacky to just announce what you make to people, too.) Or maybe it is just considered too personal, like bra size or potty habits. I think when someone asks me that they do intend to judge me in some way or try to compare themselves to me maybe. I am talking about those who are asking just to satisfy their own curiosity, of course. No one really needs to know what your salary is anyway.

I was never aware that it was rude to ask people their salary.

Imagine going up to somebody and asking them their salary, to find out that they're unemployed.

But why?

I have no idea. I do remember getting in trouble for asking someone. I was a child, I didn't know it was wrong to ask. But I don't share my personal financial information with anyone. I believe its part of that personal boundary/protective stuff.

I think it's simply a personal thing, similar to asking people their weight.

because like any other aspect of my life, if smeone does not need to know, I don't tell them

One reason it is discouraged to discuss rate of pay within the same company is because some employees are paid more than others and it cultivates additional deserved contempt for managers and jealousy among coworkers.

In the States I never heard about it one way or another. Never heard anybody asking or telling, not any sign anyone would care.

In London I was multiply warned NOT to ask or tell. Not even to say how much I paid for my flat. The reason I was given [there may be others] was: cost of living space relates to disposable income which relates to salary which relates to value to the emp,loyer and to class. Not good to brag that I am higher class than you NOR to be exposed as lower class.

I didn't know it was wrong for a long time. I thought it was pretty cool to know the numbers. But I didn't get in trouble until I started to talk about my pay. Thenn the usual "how could you not know?" And then a very simple explanation:

People are hurtful in attempt to climb to the top. I had to learn this forever, over and over again. They will use you, abuse you, brainwash/manipulate you. They do not care about the harm they do, some of them.

A salary shows many things:

The type of luxury and living you have.
How well your personal life is, because less pay has been proven to show less phsical and mental well being for many, and people make assumptions.

There's more, I'm sure. I wish I knew, but ithose are the major ones.


I would still talk about it and promote talking about it, because I think that we shouldn't encourage others to think negatively about others.

personally its no ones business only you know that. people who ask those kind of questions its inapporate and its outright rude.