oceans_11 - I also find matters of personal belief interesting. But, I have managed to offend any number of folk with my attempts to discuss - not debate - such.
It is interesting, the list of things a person considers private. Everyone has such a list, but folk differ as to their personal boundaries. IME, many many people include their home purchase price on that list.
And topics get increasingly taboo the more personal they get. Everyone is interested in sex. But relatively few people care to inquire into - or discuss - their friends’ and families’ personal preferences, practices, etc. And not just because of the nature of the sex act, but because of all the possible inferences/guesses one might reach from such info.
A house purchase is the largest financial transaction most of us will ever participate in. And it touches so many other aspects of our lives and personalities. What does it say about a person who is willing to pay $500G, instead of $200G one town over. What are the implications on the rest of their finances? What family dynamics went into making that decision?
I think asking the purchase price is not necessarily the simple question it may appear.
It is unfortunate that for “safe” conversation we are often reduced to the weather and sports.
I also think there are series’ of stages in peoples’ lives, where their interest in and amenability to such questions might vary. Like I said, when I was first out of school, I was pretty interested in how much things cost. And folk who recently bought might either be proud, or embarrasses/nervous over what they spent. I was in an information-gathering stage about living as an adult.
Now, in my 40s, I have a pretty clear idea of how much I can afford, how much big ticket things cost, what my financial prospects will likely be, etc. And I’m not all that interested in what other folk pay for things.
One area “older” folk seem to express interest in - and more willingness to discuss - concerns appreciation. I.e., “I paid $200G 10 years ago, and the same house one street over just went for $275.” Of course, once you’ve owned a home for a few years, the purchase price becomes less meaningful. With the exception that it may say someting about the mortgage you carry. Another matter folk might consider private.
The info is easily accessible if I want it. So I find it easier to avoid any possibility of offending the other person merely to sate whatever curiosity I might have.
Again, tho, ballpark figures are far more acceptable than specifics. “How much do homes go for in this neighborhood? High 200s?” Few folk would resent such a question, and IMO few folk should need a more specific answer in social conversation.
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