That's what it's like in the US: almost any topic is fair game (within reason), but questions about personal finances are considered offensive, even almost blasphemous. The fact is, some cultures don't see it that way, and this is a part of what's going on when locals approach you and launch right into "How much did your plane ticket cost? How much was your motorbike?"
I've had fascinating discussions with West Africans about this. Generally, they've been totally unaware that this sort of question might be out of line, and perplexed that we might believe it so. I'm not saying they're right--merely that it behooves us to examine our own belief systems, since they are sometimes rigid and irrational...just like everyone else's.
Again, if I feel like questions about money are putting me at risk, I have no qualms about declining to engage.
Mark
Last edited by markharf; 13 Apr 2020 at 05:39.
Reason: more specific
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