# What's your income? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 17, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305 "2012-12-17T14:41:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jools](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@jools](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jools)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/21 "2012-12-17T18:12:33Z")
Damn, I didn’t this was a public poll. Any chance of making private? ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/22 "2012-12-17T18:51:56Z")
Ain’t aswering this one, a little to personal. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/23 "2012-12-17T19:59:46Z")
Is “income” usually understood as yearly income before taxes? [Wiki says](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States) the 2003 Median Income of US households (might include more earners) was $45,018 per year. ---
**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/24 "2012-12-17T20:10:41Z")
The only thing that’s stupid is how you guys have such inflated senses of self-importance that you somehow that an estimate of your annual income, attached to your screen name on the SDMB, is inimical to your privacy. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/25 "2012-12-17T20:17:26Z")
I get paid in coins so I can Scrooge McDuck my way through my money bin every night when I come home. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/26 "2012-12-17T20:18:49Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > The only thing that’s stupid is how you guys have such inflated senses of self-importance that you somehow that an estimate of your annual income, attached to your screen name on the SDMB, is inimical to your privacy. So — what’s in _your_ wallet? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/27 "2012-12-17T20:20:54Z")
I didn’t see an option for “stacks on stacks.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/28 "2012-12-17T20:22:59Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > The only thing that’s stupid is how you guys have such inflated senses of self-importance that you somehow that an estimate of your annual income, attached to your screen name on the SDMB, is inimical to your privacy. I answered a public one on combined household income no problem, but I have issues giving my actual salary since some people here know exactly who I work for. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/29 "2012-12-17T20:23:03Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > The only thing that’s stupid is how you guys have such inflated senses of self-importance that you somehow that an estimate of your annual income, attached to your screen name on the SDMB, is inimical to your privacy. Oooh, public poll on a very personal topic AND an insult to anyone who won’t fill out the public poll. This will end well. ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/30 "2012-12-17T20:30:20Z")
Is this in American dollars or yen? Because I could check the 300K+ plus box and not be lying… ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/31 "2012-12-17T20:33:30Z")
I don’t get it: why is it bad if y’all know that my annual income is between $100,000-109,999\*? 😕 \*Since I already responded to the poll. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/32 "2012-12-17T20:40:02Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > Oooh, public poll on a very personal topic AND an insult to anyone who won’t fill out the public poll. This will end well. In all of his other census polls, he’s done things similarly and got away with it. My income is subject to change, so I can’t really estimate. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/33 "2012-12-17T20:41:54Z")
Not nearly enough and even that amount if private. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/34 "2012-12-17T20:43:56Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I answered a public one on combined household income no problem, but I have issues giving my actual salary since some people here know exactly who I work for. Yes, this is primarily why I’d imagine many people are uncomfortable with posting personal income online and in public. I don’t see it as an “inflated sense of self-importance” so much as perfectly reasonable prudence about sharing fairly personal information with teeming millions. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/35 "2012-12-17T20:51:57Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > The only thing that’s stupid is how you guys have such inflated senses of self-importance that you somehow that an estimate of your annual income, attached to your screen name on the SDMB, is inimical to your privacy. The only stupid thing is making this poll public, that and the fact that you can’t understand how it may color posters opinions of those who respond. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/36 "2012-12-17T21:34:02Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I don’t see it as an “inflated sense of self-importance” so much as perfectly reasonable prudence about sharing fairly personal information with teeming millions. But it’s an anonymous message board. How could it matter? > [@zoid](#): > > The only stupid thing is making this poll public, that and the fact that you can’t understand how it may color posters opinions of those who respond. _How_ may it color posters’ opinions of those who respond? Do you now think more/less of me because you know my income? (Perhaps my initial question came across as insincere, or as stealth bragging, or what have you: I assure you – and everyone else – that I ask these questions with all sincerity. I simply do not see what The Big Deal is. Please do some ignorance-fighting instead of just name-calling.) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/37 "2012-12-17T21:36:35Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > But it’s an anonymous message board. How could it matter? Many posters here are absolutely not anonymous, especially those promoting their current/past works, some going through intensely personal battles with illness or other health problems, etc. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/38 "2012-12-17T21:39:54Z")
It’s the money I make at my job, plus whatever extra I bring in through prizefighting and riverboat gambling. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/39 "2012-12-17T21:40:02Z")
There are also any number of companies in the world that make disclosing salary information a firing offence (don’t want the peons knowing what the other peons are making, don’tcha know). I too looked for the, “None of your damned business” option. 🙂 ETA: Also, how _you_ doin’, **Cowboy8467 and Procrustus**? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305/40 "2012-12-17T21:41:06Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > _How_ may it color posters’ opinions of those who respond? Do you now think more/less of me because you know my income? Do you honestly believe that it doesn’t have an impact? It’s not that anyone may think more or less of you but I can certainly see someone thinking “What do you know, you _have_ money :rolleyes:” or alternately “You can’t understand, you don’t know what people like us with money are burdened with”. Even subconsciously people make value judgments every day. I’d prefer to be judged on the content of my posts and to judge others likewise. ETA - fraqnkly I’d rather not know posters sexual preference, political affiliation, etc… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-income/644305.md?page=3)