Would You Tell An Interested Stranger Your Starting Salary...?

[AKL_Megs]

A stranger just asked me what the starting salary at my company in my career was. Granted, I make about 20% more now than I did then, I didn't think it was any of her business, but I told her anyways, because she was nice otherwise and we were having nice small talk about her daughter wanting to be a flight attendant.

But I can't believe how blunt some people can be! I was sort of shocked! Who puts someone on the spot like that!

 

[bettymae1121]

I would, but I don't mind talking about money. I'd never ask someone that though, because so many people don't like talking about their personal finances.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I thought asking a person's salary was about as polite as asking someone's age???

 

[phorsenuf]

I think based on the reason it was asked it seems ok. It's not like she asked you that question out of the blue.
She was asking about being a flight attendant for her daughter. I'm sure she asked a range of questions regarding the job. I don't think she was asking you to be nosy, but to pass the info along to her daughter who may have been considering it for a career option. Plus she asked what a starting salary was, not what is your salary.

Now if you two had been talking about sights to see in L.A and she suddenly asked 'how much do you make.', then yeah, that would be rude.

 

[sbsteel]

A stranger just asked me what the starting salary at my company in my career was. Granted, I make about 20% more now than I did then, I didn't think it was any of her business, but I told her anyways, because she was nice otherwise and we were having nice small talk about her daughter wanting to be a flight attendant.

But I can't believe how blunt some people can be! I was sort of shocked! Who puts someone on the spot like that!

To me, that's totally different than asking bluntly what *you* make. She didn't ask what your annual income is, she was asking what the starting rate is for a flight attendant at ABC Airlines. I would not have been offended or shocked.

 

[HelenePA]

sooooo what's the starting rate for a flight attendant? I'm a smart butt when I'm not on the computer as well

 

[npmommie]

A stranger just asked me what the starting salary at my company in my career was. Granted, I make about 20% more now than I did then, I didn't think it was any of her business, but I told her anyways, because she was nice otherwise and we were having nice small talk about her daughter wanting to be a flight attendant.

But I can't believe how blunt some people can be! I was sort of shocked! Who puts someone on the spot like that!

I don't see any problem with this either.
I would gladly tell someone the starting pay for a nurse if they were interested in the career.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

To me, that's totally different than asking bluntly what *you* make. She didn't ask what your annual income is, she was asking what the starting rate is for a flight attendant at ABC Airlines. I would not have been offended or shocked.

I agree. I don't think this was a rude question at all.

 

[GoodFairies]

Not rude at all. People make talking about money and salary a much bigger deal than it actually is. This 'faux etiquette' seems to be going away, at least among my peers and those younger.

 

[NMAmy]

I don't think it was rude. She didn't ask how much you made after however many years but for the starting pay which I'm assuming would be listed in any job posting.

Of course, I work at a public institution and my salary is public information so I don't get weirded out about it.

 

[tlbwriter]

To me, that's totally different than asking bluntly what *you* make. She didn't ask what your annual income is, she was asking what the starting rate is for a flight attendant at ABC Airlines. I would not have been offended or shocked.

This. I wouldn't have been bothered at all.

 

[johnsontrio]

That information is published from time to time in articles in the newspaper. My opinion is that starting salaries or salary ranges is basically public record. Your specific salary is private information that you might choose to share. No big deal.

 

[Disney Doll]

To me, that's totally different than asking bluntly what *you* make. She didn't ask what your annual income is, she was asking what the starting rate is for a flight attendant at ABC Airlines. I would not have been offended or shocked.

This.

 

[mdsoccermom]

To me, that's totally different than asking bluntly what *you* make. She didn't ask what your annual income is, she was asking what the starting rate is for a flight attendant at ABC Airlines. I would not have been offended or shocked.

Completely agree. Asking for a base number is far different than asking someone what they personally earn. It wasn't rude at all.

 

[mefordis]

Not rude at all. People make talking about money and salary a much bigger deal than it actually is. This 'faux etiquette' seems to be going away, at least among my peers and those younger.

Agree. I think younger people recognize that it is to their advantage to discuss salary with one another.

 

[C.Ann]

I don't think she was intentionally being rude - considering her DD would someday like to be a flight attendant.. Granted - the kid may change her mind a hundred times before she's old enough - but I have known kids that from a very, very early age said they want to be a doctor, nurse, fireman, etc., and that's exactly what they grew up to be.. Mom was probably just wondering if it was a possible career choice for her DD that she should support if the DD stuck with that idea..

Now if I were the mom, I would have said, "Would you mind.." - or - "If it's not too personal" - and if you said you would rather not divulge that information, I would have been perfectly fine with that and not offended in the least..

Taking her DD's interest out of the equation, I would not ask someone a question like that unless it was a career that I was interested in pursuing myself - and again, I would word it as stated above and not be offended if the information was not forthcoming..