Talking about your wad of cash in public/on VJ

[Dan J 277]

Euphemistically is fine by me. I would only use actual numbers in a coversation with close friends/family unless there was a specific need to use real numbers. Its not very polite to show it off.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I've noticed a lot of people talking about their money, listing their salaries, mentioning how hard they've worked to make X, and other specific mentions of their income or assets.

My parents always said, "the more money you have the less you should talk about it." But that is a Jewish attitude, AFAIK.

I agree. My parents had a similar viewpoint. But they applied it even if they didn't have much money -- they still didn't talk about it, not to family members, not to anyone. They consider salary/income/assets to be a private matter, and in exceedingly bad taste to discuss in detail, other than where absolutely necessary.

I think both attitudes (to talk about it freely, or not) can be found among many different groups, not necessarily divided by ethnicity. I know a fair number of Jewish people who are quite talkative about their money and assets, and plenty of others who keep the numbers to themselves. I think it all comes down to how you were brought up -- some consider this "boasting" or even "TMI;" others clearly do not.

Anyway, I always take extravagent claims (especially on the *internet*) with a considerable grain of salt.

[bostonparis 0]

I don't think it's appropriate to discuss, particularly on a message board. However, there are some examples where someone may want to know if they make enough to support, without getting a co-sponsor. But people talking about how they come from all kinds of money, etc., I think is unnecessary, and used to convey their sense of self-worth (or what they percieve their worth to be, based on money).

Just my opinion. But I never talk about money unless it's with my fiance, mom, or brother.

[Mags 112]

It's bad taste. But, in my experience, people who have money like to boast about it.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I have lots of Jewish neighbors who talk about their money. Everybody knows we have some or we wouldn't be in this neighborhood. I think there's a time and a place for it, but dodging the fact that there are social and economic classes and levels in the world is silly because it's so obvious that there are. If we talked about money more and educated people about it, maybe more would have some.

Edited March 5, 2007 by Green-eyed girl

[Ban Hammer 12,901]

I have lots of Jewish neighbors who talk about their money. Everybody knows we have some or we wouldn't be in this neighborhood. I think there's a time and a place for it, but dodging the fact that there are social and economic classes and levels in the world is silly because it's so obvious that there are. If we talked about money more and educated people about it, maybe more would have some.

i've found that generally those most offended by such talk are ones who make less than the one talking about it.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Oprah talks about her money all the time, not in numbers, but, no doubt, she has lots! Forbes magazine will tell you all about her money and that of many other rich folks, even if they don't talk about it.

We notice who has money and who doesn't; we just don't like to acknowledge that we do.

Edited March 5, 2007 by Green-eyed girl

[Fandango 1,439]

I would never talk about my money. I was raised in the same mindset of Alex...but then again, we're NY Italians, so it's practically the Jewish community's twin

At the same time, I'm not going to make excuses for my lifestyle and/or lie to cover things us. Like if I went on a shopping spree every weekend, I wouldn't be all 'I was at the library' because I'm that private about it. I dunno if that makes sense, but to me, it does. I could be flat broke, I could be rolling in money...no one knows. Despite having an 'idea'...no one knows, nor will they ever get confirmation. The only people who know about my financial picture are my family and David. And that is the way it will remain because I don't need to trot it out as a way to qualify who I am...regardless if it's a struggling re agent, or quite a successful one.

I have lots of Jewish neighbors who talk about their money. Everybody knows we have some or we wouldn't be in this neighborhood. I think there's a time and a place for it, but dodging the fact that there are social and economic classes and levels in the world is silly because it's so obvious that there are. If we talked about money more and educated people about it, maybe more would have some.

i've found that generally those most offended by such talk are ones who make less than the one talking about it.

To GEG: I find that you talking about your money...which let's face it, the 'trust fund baby' comment is probably the motivation behind this thread....anyways, I think you whipped that out as another qualifier of 'how you're so different' on here. It's very similar to the countless times you bring up your PhD, your 'social scientist' thing, how your traits are viewed as more masculine, etc...I personally find it kinda sad that you seem so insecure that you need to qualify yourself to the world constantly....cos after all, on the internet, why must there be an economic and social class heirarchy? Futhermore, you have no clue if that even makes you different at all...there could be countless trust fund babies on here

It's not always wise to judge a book by the cover...for instance, in my job, I'm meeting people all the time. I can't tell you how many cash buyers I've met that other people would judge as poor cos they dress like #######, drive ###### beat up cars, etc. It's called 'flying under the radar'. And many people do it.

To Charles: I think the majority of people offended by talk like this are simply people who were brought up to not talk about it. I don't think it's an indication of envy, just a complete foreign concept to one who was brought up having a little more discretion.

[peezey 0]

Why are there so many mentions of numbers on VJ lately? Seems weird.

And isn't it considered at all tacky to insinuate that you make more than a previously stated number, or to complain about having your taxes, or anything like that?

It's tacky, and judgemental. For someone to say "yeah, but you don't pay as much tax" or "you have a lower cost of living" is ridiculous because no one knows anyone else's true financial situation. We can have an economics discussion, but it certainly shouldn't resort to the individual's income level and situation. Very tacky.

[Alex+R 0]

I have lots of Jewish neighbors who talk about their money. Everybody knows we have some or we wouldn't be in this neighborhood. I think there's a time and a place for it, but dodging the fact that there are social and economic classes and levels in the world is silly because it's so obvious that there are. If we talked about money more and educated people about it, maybe more would have some.

i've found that generally those most offended by such talk are ones who make less than the one talking about it.

That is very silly.

[Ban Hammer 12,901]

To Charles: I think the majority of people offended by talk like this are simply people who were brought up to not talk about it. I don't think it's an indication of envy, just a complete foreign concept to one who was brought up having a little more discretion.

or maybe it is, eh? maybe we need another poll

I have lots of Jewish neighbors who talk about their money. Everybody knows we have some or we wouldn't be in this neighborhood. I think there's a time and a place for it, but dodging the fact that there are social and economic classes and levels in the world is silly because it's so obvious that there are. If we talked about money more and educated people about it, maybe more would have some.

i've found that generally those most offended by such talk are ones who make less than the one talking about it.

That is very silly.

so you say. how's the job search going for you?

[Fandango 1,439]

The ones screaming are the ones who need to validate themselves. The ones claiming it's a source of envy ar those who feel the need to feel a false sense of superiority towards others, which imo indicates a low self-esteem issue.

That is very silly.

so you say. how's the job search going for you?

Even in jest, that's completely uncalled for, and a perfect example of what I was just talking about. You have absolutely no idea what Alex may or may not have. Youdon't know what her finances are like...and being jobless does not mean she's poor. Yet there you go, making your assumptions and attempting to feel superior to someone you don't even know.

Which is not only ignorant, it's socially retarded.

[Alex+R 0]

To Charles: I think the majority of people offended by talk like this are simply people who were brought up to not talk about it. I don't think it's an indication of envy, just a complete foreign concept to one who was brought up having a little more discretion.

[Alex+R 0]

To Charles: Really, you have no idea what my finances are like. And thank you, I have a job. And a husband who has a much better job. Too many smileys? :)

[Ban Hammer 12,901]

The ones screaming are the ones who need to validate themselves. The ones claiming it's a source of envy ar those who feel the need to feel a false sense of superiority towards others, which imo indicates a low self-esteem issue.

That is very silly.

so you say. how's the job search going for you?

Even in jest, that's completely uncalled for, and a perfect example of what I was just talking about. You have absolutely no idea what Alex may or may not have. Youdon't know what her finances are like...and being jobless does not mean she's poor. Yet there you go, making your assumptions and attempting to feel superior to someone you don't even know.

Which is not only ignorant, it's socially retarded.

any more retarded than her comment about my post? i think not.

To Charles: Really, you have no idea what my finances are like. And thank you, I have a job. And a husband who has a much better job. Too many smileys? :)

how exactly is rey working? his ead expired when you two got married, as i understand it.

eta: and your ead filed less than a month ago. you two know something i don't?

Edited March 5, 2007 by charlesandnessa