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In the WASPy social environment I grew up in, it was incredibly gauche to talk about money and I didn't realize until I was in my 30s that that whole thing basically ensures no one lurking around the edges is going to accidentally pick up knowledge on how to manage money.
Because what "it's gauche to talk about money" actually MEANS is "it's gauche to talk about money where anyone outside the family might hear it," because you better believe everyone talked about it behind closed doors.
And that whole idea tries to ensure workers don't discuss their salaries (repeat after me: employers preventing workers from discussing salaries is ILLEGAL). It prevents people from realizing exactly how outsize the gap between the wealthy and the poor is.
Like, knowledge is power, and what better way to preserve the power hierarchy than to not be seen to enforce it? No, no, let the fear of seeming socially inept, the fear of disapproval rather than the exercise of overt power, do it for you.
Anyway, the idea that it's socially unacceptable to talk about money is bullshit. Knowledge is power. Talk about money.
