What do you do? What do you make? (Chicago, Highland: sale, college)

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by KevK

I don't think it is. Some people get testy about that and even some companies don't want anybody to discuss what they make with any other employee. But the fact is that people who have known salaries and pay rates usually make more than those who don't. If you know what "the other guy" makes, it gives you ammunition to demand your own worth.

Which is fair. But those stats are all available. Going to a random message board isn't going to get you more accurate numbers, statistically. You'll deal with sampling errors, numbers fudging, and outright misrepresentation. You don't get any more accurate info than you would have gotten from Salary.com or somewhere, and you've asked a fairly rude question in the process.

[Chicago60614]

I've been out of school for 6 years, do private regular old accounting downtown and make $70K. You can make a lot more in public accounting - but I'd rather work 9am to 5pm, not 8am to 8pm...

[reustmd]

Whether or not the question is rude depends on context.

There is nothing wrong with someone asking for salary info if they want to know what salary people are able to get by on in a city, as well as whether or not they should be making more.

It is wrong if you're asking simply to pride yourself in making a higher salary than others.

Just because you were raised to believe something was rude doesn't make it actually rude. Actually think about it, don't just recall your were told without reasoning. You don't need to lecture someone about their question being rude. Just say, "Sorry, but I don't feel that's your business."

Oh, and those statistics you guys point too are not as useful as you imply (e.g., salary.com). If you've ever taken statistics you would know the average and mean salaries don't actually tell you the whole story.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by reustmd

Whether or not the question is rude depends on context.

There is nothing wrong with someone asking for salary info if they want to know what salary people are able to get by on in a city, as well as whether or not they should be making more.

It is wrong if you're asking simply to pride yourself in making a higher salary than others.

Just because you were raised to believe something was rude doesn't make it actually rude. Actually think about it, don't just recall your were told without reasoning. You don't need to lecture someone about their question being rude. Just say, "Sorry, but I don't feel that's your business."

Oh, and those statistics you guys point too are not as useful as you imply (e.g., salary.com). If you've ever taken statistics you would know the average and mean salaries don't actually tell you the whole story.

You joined this forum to pull out an age-old thread and lecture us on the use of the word "rude"?

Of course the term is subjective. I don't think anyone would argue that it isn't.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by reustmd

Whether or not the question is rude depends on context.

There is nothing wrong with someone asking for salary info if they want to know what salary people are able to get by on in a city, as well as whether or not they should be making more.

It is wrong if you're asking simply to pride yourself in making a higher salary than others.

Just because you were raised to believe something was rude doesn't make it actually rude. Actually think about it, don't just recall your were told without reasoning. You don't need to lecture someone about their question being rude. Just say, "Sorry, but I don't feel that's your business."

Oh, and those statistics you guys point too are not as useful as you imply (e.g., salary.com). If you've ever taken statistics you would know the average and mean salaries don't actually tell you the whole story.

Thanks for the life lesson, Mister flippin' Rogers. Do we get to hop on the trolley now and go visit King Friday?

What a way to introduce yourself to the forum. Hope you don't plan on making yourself a regular...

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Drover

Do we get to hop on the trolley now and go visit King Friday?

Can we? Can we? Huh? Huh? Can we? Pleeeeease?

[Union Proud]

Its not rude.This is a forum,If you don't want to answer the question don't answer.Maybe some of these guys who give false info,because they didn't reach their goals in life.They are not satisfied with the job or salary.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by Booboy

Its not rude.This is a forum,If you don't want to answer the question don't answer.Maybe some of these guys who give false info,because they didn't reach their goals in life.They are not satisfied with the job or salary.

....

I stand corrected. It isn't remotely rude, crass, or tasteless to ask people how much money they make. Ask away. PM me for the contents of my 2007 tax return, though. I'll respond with my salary, blood type, height, weight, ethnicity, a list of the latest porn sites I've visited, a full description of every time I think my father has made a mistake, and the address of the girl I cheated on my high school girlfriend with that one time when I was really drunk on Natural Light.

Thanks to both of you for showing me the error of my ways.

[jdiddy]

Natural Light? You are a product of the Carolinas.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Natural Light? You are a product of the Carolinas.

Hey man. When it's 102 with staggering humidity, the thought of cracking open a Guinness isn't exactly alluring...

The closer to cold, alcoholic water, the better.