11
Money-Etiquette
Issues, Solved
By Teri Cettina
How to finesse
sticky financial
situations
involving
friends and
family.
1. Responding
to Nosy
Questions
Problem:
A nosy friend
asks how much
you spent on
your car, your
clothes, or your
house, and you
think it's none
of her business.
Solution:
When someone
asks an invasive
question, you're
never obligated
to answer, says
Laurie Puhn, a
relationship
expert in New
York City. "If
she asked about
your favorite
sexual
positions, would
you feel you had
to tell her?
Probably not,"
Puhn says.
The next time
this friend asks
the price of a
new leather
handbag, Puhn
suggests saying
something like:
"I have a new
policy that I'm
not going to
share prices or
salaries. It's
nothing
personal. I've
just found it's
easier not to
discuss finances
with friends."
Or try what
etiquette expert
Anna Post,
author of Emily
Post's Wedding
Parties ($23,
amazon.com),
calls the
"gently evasive"
approach.
"If your friend
asks what you
paid for your
new house, say,
'Well, probably
a little more
than I should
have, but I am
so happy with
it.' Then
immediately
change the
subject: 'Can I
give you a
tour?'" suggests
Post. "Your
answer indicates
that the issue
is not open for
discussion."
Next:
Splitting the
Bill
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