Money makes the world go round. We all need it to survive. If we don’t have it, we do what we can to get it. If we have it, we want more of it. So why is it such a touchy subject? There is an unwritten rule that one’s income should remain secret, never to see the light of day. It is considered rude to ask someone how much money they make and it is appropriate to be somewhat offended when asked about your income.

Discussing your income at your place of business can turn into a Human Resources nightmare. This should be common sense but there is always that co-worker that talks about how big her raise was or how generous her bonus was. Not only can this cause tension between those who make more and those that earn less but also it can motivate others to seek out extra money. It can be hard for a company to defend future raises and bonuses when everyone has their hand out for more.

Outside of the office, you may have an image that you would like to project. Maybe you want to be seen dressed nicely and drive fancy cars. But maybe you are trying to fulfill your champagne dreams on a beer budget. It can be embarrassing to admit that your income cannot handle your lifestyle. This isn’t necessarily the most responsible way to live but it can certainly cause you to shrink away from conversations about your income.

You shouldn’t reveal your income because it is awkward to be under the scrutiny of others. People always judge how others spend their money. If you earn a modest living but buy a thousand dollar handbag, you may get strange looks. It doesn’t matter if you have saved for ten years to buy that handbag. If your income is not disclosed, your judges will be none the wiser. On the other hand, if your income is substantial and you don’t pick up the tab for every dinner, you may be judged as overly frugal. It isn’t your responsibility to keep your friends and family filled with good food and wine but they may think otherwise if they know you are rolling in dough.

As a rule of thumb, don’t talk about politics, religion and especially money. And just know that if someone is willing to talk about his or her income, they are probably lying anyway. The amount of money you earn and how you spend it is nobodies business. Remember that next time you are tempted to ask someone else about his or her salary or the next time you almost let your number slip.