Comments on: Etiquette 101

By: Tammy Kirks

Tammy Kirks — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:25:00 +0000

I agree, Carrie! Obnoxious! In Steve’s family, they always discussed salaries and never understood why we wouldn’t reveal ours. Um, maybe because it’s none of their damned business.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:42:57 +0000

May I add…asking someone what their salary is? Oh yes.. I have gotten this many times. My one friend claims that while it was unacceptable for our parents generation to survey eachothers salaries, it is perfectly fine for our generation to discuss it because we need to “know what the market is” or something to that effect. Keep in mind, we are not in the same or even related fields.
She then asked me what Mick made and when I responded that it was private, she began throwing out figures expecting me to respond with a “higher, or lower.” Obnoxious!

By: Tammy Kirks

Tammy Kirks — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:41:49 +0000

What I’m trying to say is that I think it’s rude to ask how much someone pays for something. Sure, information about houses and cars is readily available via the Internet so go ahead and research if you want. Just don’t ask me the question. If someone questions why I pay for quality items, such as tools, I’m happy to tell them why I feel certain things are worth investing in. I guess it just comes down to my feeling that excessive nosiness is rude and annoying. That’s different than a casual conversation about quality items.

By: Steve Kirks

Steve Kirks — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:07:52 +0000

What about buying a new car or house? I mean, most of the pricing for cars are available on the web and your house purchase is public record, but it’s still rude to discuss someone’s large financial transaction, right? What it really comes down to is the person asking is jealous or wants to feel superior to you be delighting in your inability to get a good bargain. It’s like buying a good tool and someone telling you “Why didn’t you just get that at Wal-Mart?”. When said that way, it calls into question your judgement and intelligence. If they had asked instead “What made you want to buy the HighQuality Tool?” You could educate them instead of justify your spending.