Why do some people think it's ok to ask how much money I make?

Question

I'm in college full time and work as a bank teller part time. Customers ask me all the time how much do I make. Why is this any of their business? Why do people think that its ok to ask me how much money I make? Is it just because I'm young?

Do people ask you how much you make? or will people stop after I graduate from college and have a career?

I could never imagine going to the doctor and saying " By the way Doc, how much money do you make per year"?

Answer 1

It's just small talk

Answer 2

I have learned that in India many people ask this question, especially business people. Your answer is not relevant. They just want to tell how much more they make than you. Once you give a number they will look down on you with a some pity. Then they will say they earn at least three times what you earn.

At the end it went like this:
"Mister K. how much you make?"
"Mister I., seeing how little you pay your staff, I think about three times your income."

In India as a rule you never fix yourself first on a number. You never call the number first. Let the other one do it, than you can do what you want.

If you give your real income, you have lost the game.

To the people in India I did business with: yes I am out of business.

Danevad!

Answer 3

I have no idea why people think it's ok to ask about this. I have the feeling young people get asked a lot more about this than older people though, for whatever reason. In my opinion it's rude. It's none of their business how much you make.

I've often been asked the same. I recently moved back to my country after living abroad for a while and when my hubby and I got jobs several people asked us how much money we'd make in our new jobs. As if it's any of their business how good contracts we made.

Answer 4

People will ask all sorts of things from how much you make to questions about your home and relationships, etc. Sometimes they are being nosey, sometimes they are truly interested in your life. (Maybe they want their son to get a job at the bank and they are curious about the pay.) Also, people are brought up with different ideas of what is and is not polite to ask someone.

What's important is how YOU feel when asked that question. You can't keep them from asking but you definitely don't have to answer. A simple "I do fine for myself, thank you" should give smart ones the hint. Almost any question can be answered with a gracious "I'd rather not say, thank you."

Answer 5

Laugh and say something like "I'm in college--so never enough." It's rude to ask, but you can't tell customers that. But you can not answer without being a jerk.

When people ask really rude questions, I like to say "why do you ask?" in a sweet voice. Shuts 'em right up.

But yes, it is a question they probably don't ask doctors or whomever. If you look young, they may be surprised that you have such a responsible job and are acting out that surprise. But it won't get better, I'm afraid. You have "when are you getting married?" "are you thinking about children yet?" "how much was your house?" and so forth to look forward to.

Answer 6

they have no tact. and people will never stop. i generally don't care if people i know know how much i make. but you will always have the person in your office that asks you.

when i started my new job 2 years ago one of the ladies in the office asked me how much i was making about a month after i started. so i told her, because i didn't care. well she ran to the office manager to cry about how much i was making because i made a lot more than her and she had been there for 5 years. the office manager then told me about it, turns out when i got hired, she was promised the position i was hired for and obviously did not get it, so she was a miserably bitter woman.

now, i am not sure why a person off the street (customers) would ask you. usually when people ask it is to compare with what they are making. regardless, it is still rude and tactless.

Answer 7

Not everybody would consider this rude. Obviously you do, but a lot of people have a more casual view of money and work and have no problems discussing money.

I don't work now, but the few times I did and people asked me (I'm in college full time, I don't work while attending).

It has nothing to do with age. People get asked regardless of age or time in school/college.
It could be that people are just curious, or are interested in that field, or whatever.

I'm sure doctors get asked all the time (and are probably used to it) about their income because of the perceived idea that doctors make tons of money. Many are interested (or at least curious) about that field and want to know. I know you used that as an example, and I'm just trying to answer that.

This is a question of your personal etiquette...do you find the questions themselves rude, or do you think people are trying to violate your privacy? Personally, I don't think it has anything to do with being nosy, it is all just out of curiosity.

Answer 8

Why to be so sensitive?People do think differently,they come from all kind of backgrounds,cultures.For example I am from Europe and it was normal there to know how much people make.Since I live here,I have learned,that Americans may consider that a rude question,but cannot really understand why.I can totally accept if you don't want me to know(we are different as I said),but get offended by it? Why?

Answer 9

My grandmother used to interrogate me about how much my parents paid for this and that.

I learned, when asked what something costs: Not as much as you might think. If they continue to press, I say, I don't discuss these things with others.

I would politely tell the nosy person: "I do alright, thank you." Then change the subject. Remain pleasant all the way through and hopefully they will take the hint.

Answer 10

I don't know why people ask about money like that to strangers. I agree it's rude and you have every right; politely of course, to say I prefer to keep my finances to myself thank you. It is a new trend. When I was younger you would never dare ask - the height of rudeness. But anything goes today and people are copying bad habits all the time.

Answer 11

Sometimes I ask b/c I'm interested in inquiries for a job. The companies always say they pay well, but really don't.

However, I would be someone tactful about it. I would say, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude. But, I'm thinking about getting a job here. Can I ask you how much you make an hour? Do you do well hear? I'm sorry if this offends you. If you don't want to answer, I'll understand."