cultural stuff

[naanima]

Just when I think I understand all the cultural intricacies (or at least instinctively know them) of the western world I'm shot down by a small cultural phenomenon. I did not know that most Australian parents (is this true for the Americans too?) do not tell their children about how much they earn, or how much money they pay for bills. This is a complete incomprehensible act to me. And once again I realise what my first year psych lecturer said was true. Don't ever assume that you think you know everything.

Hmm. I’m hungry.

Comments

[rayemars.livejournal.com]

I'm American, parents are American, etc., and yeah. I didn't know what either of my parents were making before they retired, nor do I know what my brothers are making at their own workplaces. I don't think it's a case of it being embarrassing lack-of-money-wise, since I'm middle class and know we're well enough off; it was just never came up. I might have asked a couple times when I was a kid, but I think it was brushed off; and I learned the amounts when I had to fill out applications for college, but didn't remember them, because it didn't seem important by that point.

*shrug* I guess it's just one of those things, like telling your kids if they don't behave you'll sell them to gypsies. I've only ever heard people talk about money in that they personally don't have it, but rarely mentioning how the situation stands with their parents.

[naanima.livejournal.com]

See, that's different with me. Mum and dad has always been extremely open about money; how much they earn, how much they have, and how much money all the bills are going to cost. Mum has always wanted me to understand the importance of money; budgeting is important for survival, don't spend on useless things, etc. I think a lot of it has to do with where we came from (main-land China, more north than Beijing), and it just seems people there are very open with all matters on money (with their family anyway.)

[rayemars.livejournal.com]

Heh. The funny thing is, for me, because I never have a really clear idea of what we have saved, I'm actually a much thriftier person than either of my parents. (Well, except in the case of books. Everyone needs one weakness.)

But yeah, I think it might be the location--and the economic situation while growing up?--that probably had an influence on it.