Under 35's Break Salary Talk Taboo

Unlike mom and dad, young Americans are likely to gab about salary with friends, the New York Times reports. To older generations, "it’s very hush-hush," one 22-year-old said. "You don’t talk about money, politics, or religion with friends. But in this generation, it’s important.” Many young professionals say it helps to navigate the workplace or simply plan a night out.

Still, they aren’t so candid with co-workers, according to a 2007 study which says that 84% of those under 35 warned against salary talk at work. And there are good reasons to keep mum: Because money connotes status, social scientists say, it’s impossible to talk about it in an entirely innocent way.                                                  (More money stories.)