Why Europeans Never Talk About These Financial Topics (While Americans Can’t Stop)

(And What It Says About Privacy, Identity, and What Really Matters on Either Side of the Atlantic)

You don’t need to spend long in Europe to notice this: people just don’t talk about money.

Not casually. Not competitively. Not at the dinner table, and definitely not on social media.

Whereas in the U.S., money talk is almost baked into the national identity. Entire friendships and online communities revolve around side hustles, salary transparency, real estate wins, financial milestones, or “good debt vs. bad debt” debates.

In Europe? You could know someone for years without knowing how much they make. Or what their mortgage is. Or how much they spent on their last vacation.

It’s not that Europeans don’t care about money. They absolutely do. They save, invest, spend, and plan.

But they don’t talk about it. At least not in the way Americans do.

Here’s why Europeans avoid discussing these common American financial topics—and what those silences reveal about deep-rooted cultural differences around status, privacy, and what defines a meaningful life.

Want More Deep Dives into Everyday European Culture?
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1. Salaries

Let’s start with the most taboo topic: how much people earn.

In the U.S., salary is becoming more openly discussed—especially among millennials and Gen Z. There’s a growing push for transparency to combat wage gaps and workplace inequality.

You’ll hear:

• “I just broke six figures!”
• “Here’s how I negotiated my raise.”
• “I earn $80K as a UX designer in Austin—ask me anything.”

But in Europe? Silence. Total silence.

Even in close circles, discussing salary feels awkward, tacky, or even a little vulgar. Why?

Because:

• Work is not your worth.
• Modesty is valued over achievement.
• Income is seen as a private matter—not social currency.

You might hint at a promotion. You might talk about enjoying your work. But boasting about pay? That’s seen as a deeply American habit.

2. Debt (Especially “Good Debt”)

In the U.S., talking about debt is normal—even expected. There are podcasts, YouTube channels, and viral tweets about paying off:

• Student loans
• Credit cards
• Mortgages
• Medical bills

And there’s even a distinction: “good” debt (education, property) vs. “bad” debt (high-interest consumer stuff).

In Europe, debt is discussed rarely and often quietly. Especially personal debt. Many cultures view debt with a kind of moral unease—not because they’re judgmental, but because they associate it with vulnerability or instability.

• Student loans are less common thanks to public education
• Credit card culture is far more conservative
• Even mortgages are often viewed as long-term obligations to be handled modestly

You won’t hear someone in France casually announce they just put $5,000 on a new couch. Not because they didn’t do it—but because talking about it feels deeply personal.

3. Side Hustles and “Financial Optimization”

In the U.S., side hustling is a badge of honor. So is being money-savvy, entrepreneurial, or investing every spare dollar.

In many parts of Europe? That can feel… exhausting. Even a bit suspect.

Here’s why:

• Work-life balance is a core value. The idea of monetizing every hobby or free hour feels like selling your soul to capitalism.
• There’s less financial insecurity in many countries with stronger safety nets—so the drive to hustle nonstop feels foreign.
• People are wary of “financial gurus” or influencer-led advice.

It’s not that Europeans don’t invest or plan for retirement—they just don’t build their identity around it. Talking about optimizing your Roth IRA over aperitivo? That’s a good way to kill the vibe.

4. Cost of Housing and Real Estate Wins

In America, talking about home ownership is nearly as common as talking about the weather.

• “How much did you buy for?”
• “What’s your mortgage rate?”
• “Did you get in before the market exploded?”

In Europe, real estate is deeply cultural—but not always conversational.

People may own homes (especially in southern Europe), or rent for life (more common in cities like Berlin or Paris). But they’re far less likely to frame homeownership as a personal “win” or life milestone to be celebrated publicly.

Why? Because:

• Status signaling is more subtle.
• Privacy is prized.
• And there’s a general belief that housing is a need, not an investment trophy.

You might hear about someone buying a house in the countryside—but you probably won’t hear how much they paid, what their interest rate is, or whether it was “a good deal.”

5. How Much Things Cost

In the U.S., conversations often orbit around money in disguise:

• “This jacket? Got it for $350 on sale.”
• “The trip cost about $2,000, all in.”
• “Dinner was expensive, but worth it.”

Americans love value, savings, and cost breakdowns. Europeans, meanwhile, tend to discuss experiences rather than the price tag attached.

They’ll say:

• “It was a beautiful meal.”
• “We stayed in a lovely little place near the coast.”
• “I bought something special at the market.”

Not because they’re hiding anything, but because the cost isn’t the point.

There’s a belief—especially in southern Europe—that to reduce something beautiful to its price is to miss the essence of it.

6. Investing and Retirement Accounts

While personal investing is booming in the U.S. (from Robinhood traders to FIRE devotees), Europe takes a different route.

In much of Europe:

• Retirement is structured through the state and employer systems.
• Investing is slower, quieter, more conservative.
• Talking about your portfolio over dinner? Almost unthinkable.

The financial system is built differently, and so is the mindset. Americans grow up expecting to “build wealth” individually. Europeans often expect long-term security to come through social structures.

So when Americans talk about asset allocation, dividends, or passive income, Europeans often tune out—or quietly recoil.

7. Inheritance and Family Money

In the U.S., inheritance talk is increasingly open—especially among millennials with Boomer parents. There are conversations about legacy planning, wills, and what people “expect” to receive.

In Europe, these discussions are quiet, formal, and rarely emotional.

Many Europeans still consider inheritance a private, even slightly uncomfortable topic. You don’t speculate on what your parents are leaving you. You don’t “count” money before it’s yours.

Even among siblings, the conversation can be brief and handled through legal channels. It’s seen as a matter of duty—not personal gain.

8. Money and Personal Worth

At the core of all this is a quiet cultural split:

In the U.S., money is tied closely to identity:

• How successful are you?
• How much are you worth?
• Are you financially “ahead” or “behind”?

In Europe, money is a tool, not a mirror.

You might be ambitious. You might be wealthy. But that’s your business, not your brand.

Humility matters. Privacy is protection. And not broadcasting your finances is seen not as withholding, but as mature.

9. Public Money Talk = Poor Taste

Let’s call it what it is: in many European cultures, openly talking about money is considered bad manners.

It’s associated with:

• Insecurity
• Arrogance
• Trying too hard to impress
• Or—worst of all—lacking refinement

There’s a deep, unspoken belief that if you really have money, you don’t need to talk about it.

And that, ironically, makes those who keep their finances private seem more powerful than those who broadcast them.

Final Thoughts: Why Silence Can Be Golden

Americans talk about money to connect, to share, to learn, and sometimes, to compete. There’s no shame in it. In fact, it’s often celebrated.

Europeans stay quiet about money for different reasons:

• To maintain social harmony
• To preserve privacy
• To avoid hierarchy
• And, often, because they simply see it as nobody else’s business

It’s not that Europeans are better with money. Or worse. It’s that they don’t make it part of their identity.

And when your self-worth isn’t tied to your net worth? You can afford to stay quiet—and focus on other things.

Pro Tip: Next time you’re at a table in Europe, skip the talk about raises, prices, or investments. Ask about books, meals, or holiday plans instead. You’ll get a richer conversation—and blend in just a little better.