# I pit people who ask me how much money I make **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 15, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957 "2018-10-15T02:12:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/21 "2018-10-15T11:28:34Z")
Would you be willing to say what percentage of your income comes from tips? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/22 "2018-10-15T14:29:13Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > A good generic answer for obnoxious questions is, “I’ll forgive you for asking that question if you’ll forgive me for ignoring it.” > [@PlaceboTarget](#): > > In fact, that’s what friends are for: to forgive each other. It’s meant to be said ironically with icy disdain, so not to friends. ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/23 "2018-10-15T18:43:25Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > It’s meant to be said ironically with icy disdain, so not to friends. I know, I know. 🙂 It’s just that I’m a big fan of “Shrek” and I couldn’t refrain myself. I for one use kayT’s approach: > [@kayT](#): > > Dear Abby always suggests you turn it back on the questioner: “Why do you ask?” ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/24 "2018-10-15T19:16:11Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > A good generic answer for obnoxious questions is, “I’ll forgive you for asking that question if you’ll forgive me for ignoring it.” It’s not enough. We need to bring back Miss Manners’ tactics. Looked absolutely gobsmacked with your mouth working a bit (this will take practice to get it right) then finally ask, “What_ever_ made you ask such a question?” Then wait for the reply. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/25 "2018-10-15T20:51:52Z")
What’s funny is that we know how much you make, at least in tips. The tipping takes place out in the open, so we can clearly count. Except that I never bothered to count, there are more entertaining things to do at the poker table, like shuffling chips. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/26 "2018-10-15T20:56:30Z")
People are sitting there, probably losing money, and having a few drinks. They see you getting $5, $10, and even $25 tips from their fellow drunk players, and start to wonder, “gee, how much does this guy make off poor slobs like me?” Still very rude, but I get it. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/27 "2018-10-15T21:01:46Z")
It seems to be _very verboten_ in U.S.A. to ask someone how much they earn. (A possible exception would be jobs where the wage would be rather constant, at least within an area. This might apply to OP’s job — at least the salary portion, not the tips. If someone is thinking of applying for the job, asking about the wage is logical.) Some cultures don’t have this taboo. Openness about wages in Thailand is quite common. I remember going to the teacher’s break room at a public school here and seeing all the salaries posted on the wall! ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/28 "2018-10-15T21:08:16Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Meh. I’m not a fan of this idea that it’s rude to ask people how much they make. I see it as a way to keep people from finding out that they are being underpaid for their job. At my workplace we’re explicitly instructed not to reveal what we make to our coworkers, and it’s pretty clear that the rule exists to avoid people getting disgruntled that they’re not being paid as much as the next guy. (I doubt any two of my coworkers draw the same salary.) And yes, I’m aware that the rule is probably unenforcable-if-not-illegal. > [@BigT](#): > > I make about $8000 a year. It’s not much. Compared to that, I make much. Compared to some, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Sloe\_Moe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/29 "2018-10-15T23:30:44Z")
You have to tell those people off and not just relate the experience on media. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you…” ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/30 "2018-10-15T23:53:50Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > I wonder if in some cases they’re trying to figure out how much to tip you. They’ve heard they’re supposed to tip the dealer, but perhaps have no idea how much is appropriate. > > In that case, maybe an answer along the lines of, “It varies – most of what I make is tips” might increase your earnings. I like your thinking.😃 It varies, most of what I make is tips…and this is a VERY nice place, so the customers have class.:rolleyes: (and tip well, hint HINT:pGUILT/SHAME):eek::D:D ---
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/31 "2018-10-16T17:13:18Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > At my workplace we’re explicitly instructed not to reveal what we make to our coworkers, and it’s pretty clear that the rule exists to avoid people getting disgruntled that they’re not being paid as much as the next guy. (I doubt any two of my coworkers draw the same salary.) And yes, I’m aware that the rule is probably unenforcable-if-not-illegal. Yes, that is illegal in the US at the federal level. The National Labor Relations Act states that employers can’t ban the discussion of salary and working conditions among employees. They can prevent you from discussing those things with the general public however. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957/32 "2018-10-17T01:51:21Z")
Most of us would be better off if our wage information were public record. Who wants to go first? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-ask-me-how-much-money-i-make/822957.md?page=1)