For some, talking about salary with friends and family is totally normal. For others, it is one topic they would rather keep on the down-low.
A recent discussion among Singaporeans showed just how different people’s views can be. It started with a recent university graduate who noticed that their schoolmates openly discussed internship allowances, while seniors in hall were pretty open about their starting salaries.
At home, though, things were different. Their parents had always told them not to reveal how much they earned, a rule they were expected to follow once they started working.
So, is there a point where people start keeping their exact pay under wraps?
Some Think Salary Talk Is Actually Useful
For some Singaporeans, talking about salary is not a big deal.
One commenter said they openly discuss pay packages with close friends, including bonuses, annual leave, salary increments, and even jobs they are considering next.
Honestly, this can be pretty useful. Knowing what others in a similar field earn can give younger workers a rough benchmark when they are job hunting or negotiating a new offer.
Another commenter said they appreciated that their seniors shared their starting salaries. For fresh grads, having some idea of what others are getting can help them avoid lowball offers.
Still, trust seems to be the big factor. Some commenters said they are open with a few close friends but keep things more vague with everyone else.
One person said their family knows roughly how much they earn because they give them money every month. Another is comfortable telling their family because their parents are financially secure and do not expect more from them.
For Others, It Is Better to Keep Things Private
Then there are those who would rather not open that can of worms.
As one person pointed out, if you earn less, people might look down on you. If you earn more, they might think you are hao lian or suddenly see you differently.
And then there is the classic: once people know you earn more, they might start asking to borrow money.
One commenter shared that they stopped telling their grandmother their exact salary after she began expecting more money during Hari Raya. What started as being open about their income eventually turned into expectations they were not comfortable with.
Another commenter said they only disclose their salary when there is an actual practical reason, such as helping someone benchmark their pay for a salary negotiation.
Maybe A Vague Answer Does the Job
Not everyone thinks you have to choose between spilling everything and saying absolutely nothing.
There is also a bigger issue behind all this. In Singapore, salary can easily become tied to career success, status, and even personal worth. So once exact figures enter the chat, things can get awkward real fast.
Interestingly, there does not seem to be one magic salary figure where Singaporeans suddenly stop talking about money. For some, it could be when they start earning significantly more than their peers. For others, salary has always been private, regardless of the number.
In the end, it seems less about the exact amount and more about who is asking, why they want to know, and whether you actually trust them with the answer.
See the post here:
Job salary discretion among family and friends
byu/Monoji77 inaskSingapore
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
TikToker Shares 10 Red Flags Some SG Workplaces Have Normalised
Are Solo Birthday Celebrations Becoming A Trend In SG? Redditors Share Their Takes
Car Driver Drags Garbage Bag Along Highway Spilling Trash Across Road
If you have a story or a tip-off, email admin@wakeup.sg or get in touch via Whatsapp at 8882 5913.
Interested in advertising on our media channels? Reach out to us at admin@wakeup.sg!
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram and X!
Wake Up Singapore is a volunteer-run site that covers alternative views in Singapore. If you want to volunteer with us, sign up here!
