Asking about the monthly salary of working people, even retired people, then praising or criticizing, is that rude or helpful?

Is asking about monthly salary rude or a sincere sharing? What is the best answer to 'deal' with questions about salary and income?

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The article "I was asked by everyone how much their monthly salary is, many times I was confused but still found the answer" posted on Tuoi Tre Online received many responses from readers.

The story of asking about monthly salary seems to not be within the scope of family or relatives, but becomes a story involving many people, of communication behavior outside the community.

"Asking about monthly salary is taboo, even between parents and children"

Reader TL wrote: "We should learn politeness in behavior, asking about salary is taboo in Western culture, even parents do not ask their children like that, but let them speak for themselves."

Agreeing with this point of view, reader Le Thoai also thinks that asking about salary is taboo, in addition to asking about age, job, and job. "Asking like that violates other people's privacy," this reader commented.

According to reader Tran Quang Dinh: "Asking bluntly about other people's salaries is rude". Reader Duc Nhan's opinion is similar when he said: "Friends who ask "how much is your salary" are people who are limited in communication and outlook on life!".

More harshly, Anh Vu expressed: "There are still many people asking tactless and insensitive questions."

According to Sang Nguyen, asking about salary also has another meaning: "Saying that your salary is too high makes it easy for relatives and acquaintances to ask to borrow money in difficult times. This is the reason why many well-off people have to keep their income secret."

Reader Mai Anh gives the reason why you shouldn't ask about monthly salary because "many people have low salaries but have many other sources of passive income. Salary does not fully reflect personal finances."

"If the relationship is trustworthy enough, people will share naturally. If not, focus on the emotional connection, not on money," reader Ha My emphasized.

Reader Sao Xet affirmed: "Asking about other people's salaries and income is rude" and recounted his story: "When I was working for hire, I never asked about anyone's salary or income. Whether their salary was high or low, I didn't ask or give it to them. When we come to play together, we are equal."

Asking about the monthly salary of a working person is considered by readers to be "rude" and "insensitive". But in many cases, people also ask about the salary of a retired person.

"I get a pension and I was asked about it too. As soon as I asked, they showed off how much their pension was. Of course it was more than mine. So my answer was a bit simple: 'A little less than yours'. Then I was fine." Reader Nguyen Kim wrote.

How to answer to satisfy both sides?

Faced with a somewhat sensitive question, what would be a reasonable answer? Many readers have given their advice and their own experiences.

Reader Anh Vu said he liked the two answers "just enough to buy gas"; "just enough to take care of the family". "To relatives who seem to care about salary, I often reply: "Just enough to live, with a little extra...", this reader wrote.

A reader with the email address orch****@gmail.com shared: "If anyone asks me how much my salary is, I answer "enough to live comfortably". There's no need to declare it to people who like to care about other people's privacy". Reader Lai Quang Tan suggested that the answer "enough to live" is enough.

Similarly, the answer is gentle, not too detailed and also does not refuse the question chosen by many readers.

Meanwhile, reader An Ngoc pointed out the reason why you shouldn't say your monthly salary directly because "when you say your salary is low, receiving the response 'oh my god, that's so little' is an invisible pressure. It feels like your work and efforts are immediately denied."

"I don't mind answering directly. If anyone complains about low salary, then say so and let me follow you, introduce me to work for you, I'm happy with a higher salary. As for anyone who is silently fiddling with their shirt, I know that person needs help because they are having it harder than me."

If anyone says I am not successful, I will borrow capital from them to do business so that I can be successful. Or at least I do not need to be generous and pay for the meeting. Tell me the truth, I have nothing to hide…”, reader Nguyen Tuan Loc had another suggestion.

Reader Duong Van Tuan wrote: "I hope you smile and answer the question about salary with 'enough to live if you know how to spend money'. That answer will be comfortable." Reader Quoc Dung suggested an answer that he thought was both smart and humorous, and also "avoided" the question: "Enough to buy gas is fine" or "enough to take care of the family."

Any monthly salary is fine as long as you are happy

Reader Mai Tan Dieu wrote: "The salary is enough to eat, but eating at a 5-star restaurant is fine too. Just kidding. It doesn't matter what you do, how much you earn, as long as you feel comfortable and happy. The important thing is what you have done with the knowledge you have.

Having a lot of money in your account but not daring to invest it to fulfill your dreams is useless. Having a lot of real estate, a lot of red books, pink books but is there any project in life that makes you satisfied, happy or not? Therefore, high or low salary, equal to your friends or not is not as important as your own happiness.

To conclude the salary story, Gia Nguyen gave the truth: "A person's value does not lie in the amount of salary. What matters is whether that job brings joy, satisfaction, and enough to live on or not."

DONG HA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoi-luong-thang-nguoi-dang-di-lam-hoi-ca-nguoi-da-nghi-huu-roi-khen-che-vo-duyen-hay-chia-se-2025110311222392.htm