American friend, do you talk easily about money and success with each other?

Question

In France we think that you Americans talk very easily about your financial successes etc.

In France this is simply not done, and if you do it you will be very badly seen.

But then I wonder if you really do that, or if it's just a stereotype we have in France.

American friend, do you talk easily about money and success with each other?

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

I don't think it's typical, but we have talked with our French freinds about successes, to some degree, and failures. we talked to them about the differences in systems.

My family has talked about these things.

some people are very private. Most people will not brag, but they may show off their success.

We have Dave Ramsey show where people will talk openly about finances.

In France, it's very different financially... it's like a socialist trap. It's all free... education and such, and then they tax most of your work such that you are enslaved for life no matter what you do.

That's why all the French people we know want to come here to USA... Freedom... or so they think, it's more free, but not totally.

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Well, I cannot speak for all, but I never discuss money and success and I can't recall - except perhaps with some family members - discussing it with anyone. At most, with friends, someone might crack a joke.

However, as a general rule, it is not something you discuss. The slight caveat being is that you may see - not with everyone, but with some people - indications of their success. They might show off a car they got or some other such "luxury item." They don't boast, but they may flaunt their wealth implicitly.

For my part, after I made my first billion...

TrueConfection · Accepted Answer

Yes, in the sense you are asking. Americans don't shame one another for having financial success. Instead they ask, "How can I be as financially successful as you?" Most people are happy to share their knowledge and what they have done to get to where they are now.

Radiate143 · Accepted Answer

Oh man, you haven't heard Pakistanis, Arabs and Indians talk about success and money. Americans barely say anything intrusive compared to them.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

I don't know honestly. If we do, I certainly haven't noticed. And there's nothing that gets on my nerves more than people asking me how much money I have in my bank account or how I can afford to trouble. I think it's so disrespectful and inappropriate to ask someone how much money they have in their bank account.

When I was in school some guys came to our school to talk about something, some kid asked them how much they make and they said, "We make enough to feed our families." I thought, "what an asshole", but now that I get asked the same question I understand why he responded that way. Though I think asking someone how much they make per hour in their field is reasonable, but asking someone how much money they have in their bank account is crossing the line. Only an American would ask such a nosey question.

Anonymous · Answer

Not really, no. We also have stereotypes about Europeans and the French. It’s widely believed that you’re gay and can’t fight. I know this to be an unfair criticism of the French—after all, you gave us Charlemagne and Charles Martel and Napoleon. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Sweden. Or Germany. Or England. But you Frenchies aren’t as gay as everyone here in the US believes.

Jersey2 · Answer

In the US people will speak of money and finances much more easily than in Europe. In the US though, people are not as open about sex as people in Europe.

exitseven · Answer

Lots of times people that are rich do stuff just so they can say they have done it. Like going to the superbowl. You have to spend several thousands of dollars to watch a 3 hour football game that usually is not very exciting.

Anonymous · Answer

No, the stereotype is try.. we like to brag about accomplishments, men compete to much with each other women get to choose the pick of men they spread there legs for, yet will complain about that man not committing to them. It’s a whole thing. There is a lot of backwards ish that is done in this country.

RavVid · Answer

In US companies I have worked for we were told not to discuss our remuneration with the implication that it will be harder to negotiate an increase if you do.

NathanDavis · Answer

we care more about money and "status" than we care about people, yes...

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

I go out of my way to avoid talking finances with anyone, including most of my partners.

love_conquers_lust · Answer

Which Americans are you talking to? The old money doesn’t have to talk about it. The fast money tends to lose it as fast as they gained it.

Massageman · Answer

I don't - my financial business is just that- my business.

Andres77 · Answer

I don’t talk about personal finances with anyone. It never comes up

RyanEC · Answer

Personally no. I think that may be an exaggeration.

msc545 · Answer

Americans are absolutely obsessed with money.

rigmarole · Answer

Most people don't talk about money.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

It's generally considered rude or arrogant.

zagor · Answer

Most people don't, but a fair number do.

Anonymous · Answer

Usually they do to show off

Anonymous · Answer

They mostly complain

American friend, do you talk easily about money and success with each other?

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