That may come back on him...

Yeah, it was funny to see everyone reporting their sick and vacation time - would we feel as comfortable reporting our salaries to each other? Nooooo.

But, Noumenon, Americans generally treat money the way the Victorians treat sex. Which is to say, they talk about it with shame, and only in situations of extreme intimacy.

When people are barely getting by, and are worried about bouncing a check, they don't necessarily tell their friends about it.

You don't know the secret lives of the people who work multiple jobs. "They seemed happy enough to me" is what the neighbors always say right after somebody snapped.

I can't think of anyone who would work 3 jobs for the fun of it.

I could see working two for the fun of it, much like ita. My yarn shop job falls in that category.

The Bush administration is a radical departure...

I see an administration that is run by cynical and arrogant political operatives who hold the public in comtempt. I think Bush is probably a decent enough guy who is being guided by people who are not very decent. I get the feeling that Bush buys all the stuff he says which makes him a perfect face for the administration.

One full time, one part-time I can see someone doing for fun or a little extra cash. It's the multiple full time positions that are un-fun.

No, you sigh and say "Well, payday is Friday... we're getting by." I know this game...don't like it but I know it. And I would rather give blow jobs for money than get food stamps again. So mortifying. Last time I got $65.00 month and got fingerprinted too.

One full time, one part-time I can see someone doing for fun or a little extra cash. It's the multiple full time positions that are un-fun.

And the multiple-part time, too.

Americans really don't talk about money, even among people in the same income group.

I grew up in a family that was strangely open about money and finances (well, the last 2 generations. Above that, they got quite squirrely, so much so that unravelling estates was a pain. Which is probably part of the cause.) So not the norm. I had to learn to keep my mouth shut when I was younger after being told repeatedly I was being rude to ask (not by my family, other people.) Or weirder, when I'd volunteer info. It's strange to me. But I'm an outlier and I know it.

would we feel as comfortable reporting our salaries to each other? Nooooo.

No shit. I somehow always manage to be self-conscious about it. Four people (outside of HR and my boss) know my salary (and I'm self-conscious about that), and two of them are my parents.