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Why money talk feels taboo, and why it matters anyway
In a lot of Filipino households, money is one of the last real taboos left. People will discuss relationship problems, health scares, even family drama more openly than they'll discuss how much they earn, how much they owe, or how much they send home every month. Asking directly can feel rude, and answering honestly can feel like exposing yourself. Part of why this taboo runs so deep is hiya, the discomfort of losing face, since admitting to debt or a smaller salary than expected can feel like admitting personal failure rather than just sharing a fact, even to someone you're planning to build a life with.