GIVE ANSWERS - English

100% GOOD (1 votes)DijawabLanguage Question
Is it considered rude to talk about money in your country?

For example, I've heard that in the US, it's easier to talk about how much you earn than in France where it's really a taboo.

PS: Discover these free English lessons: Instruction: Healthy Habits — Best 1000 Things to Do in Paris — Meanings of YET — CONJUNCTIONS → Cause and Effect

GIVE ANSWERS

JoseBravo profile picture JoseBravoDecember 2019
Here, In Venezuela, it depends. If you're complaining about the economic crisis and how money never lasts and you couldn't buy x or y, then no. Talk away. On the other hand, if you talk (brag) about being able to afford things the general public can't (like a full shopping cart in groceries) then yes. It's considered very rude
rodolfo_eme profile picture rodolfo_emeDecember 2019
Well, brag about how you can spend money to buy expensive things is always very rude. Also, here in Brazil people don't like very much to talk about how much is their salary, when this subject comes up people usually complain about how everything is expensive and can't buy what they want... it's funny!
Beside that, talking about money or economy is pretty common.
  • exRanger profile picture exRangerDecember 2019
    Exactly, Vincent. Americans in my opinion -- and let's remember that I am one of them by birth (New York) and lived there for decades -- are very, even too "liberal" with telling others their earnings, whether those earnings are modest or lavish. And, as you say, such a thing is simply NOT done in France nor in Lux.
  • vincent profile picture vincentDecember 2019
    Thanks exRanger, yes OK I see the difference. I have already heard Americans spontaneously talk about their wages, while it is impossible in France.
  • exRanger profile picture exRangerDecember 2019
    As an American who lives in France, I will tackle the example you provided:

    First, Americans are no more inclined than the French to inquire about the salary of another person. The difference b/w Americans and the French - and it is significant - is that many Americans are very forward (free) regarding telling others the amount of their salary voluntarily, i.e., not having to be asked, while the French generally (@ least in Lorraine Department) do not ask others about salary nor do they feel compelled to tell others the amount of their own salary. Perhaps it is different in a (much) more cosmopolitan area, e.g., Paris... but I doubt it. Note it is also NOT polite to inquire about salary or tell others the amount of your salary in Luxembourg. I cannot speak for Germans, but my guess is that their attitude is similar to those of the French and Luxembourgians.
    -exRanger