I’ve read various places about people asking what a camping/overlanding /expedition rig/truck camper/van cost is to put together. It always kind goes like this- “ we’ve been asked by lots of people what our set up cost “ My wife and I’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years and neither of us have ever been asked about what any of our 3 rigs cost to put together. I know I have somewhat envious relatives that would love to know, but even they don’t ask. My best friends and best relatives have never asked. Even if anyone ever did, I’d just answer, “quite a bit”. Does anyone else on here think it to be rude to ask such a question?
Growing up I was always taught not to ask what other people's things cost or how much they make. I might ask, "Where did you get it?" Or how do I get one, but not the cost. It was considered uncouth to talk money.
I was in charge of a few jobs where we staffed it with a bunch of different contractors and I overheard one asking another what he was making. I put the kybosh on that right there in front of everyone. "Hey, everyone: you are all here because each of you made a deal that works for YOU. The deal is the deal. It's not your business to know what anyone else makes, this is not public sector. If you think you can do better, you should not have come, so leave now. If you want to do better on the next contract, we will negotiate it then. Anyone talking money with others gets dismissed."
It wasn't so much that it was a dark secret, but a contract between private parties is exactly that. We actually tried to be fair and almost everyone got the same $ but there were some guys who brought a little more to the table in terms of knowledge, experience, equipment, or a very level head under pressure. Anyone who brought all 4 of those attributes was compensated appropriately and I didn't need some snot-nosed kid being pissy on the job because he hasn't taken into account a 45 year old guys experience outmatches his young hot-headed attitude.
Once, I lapsed on this rule. My brother in law was in town and didn't speak English. I was waiting on a big check from a client and was sweating bullets it hadn't come yet. It finally came just in time and I got all excited and he wanted to know what I was on about and I told him (in very bad Portuguese) I'm taking everyone out to a big dinner as I opened the envelope to show him what I meant, as I wasn't sure I said it right. Man, the wife (at the time) sure called me out on it and I felt bad because I'd made him feel bad.
Seems, over time, that the etiquette of "don't talk money" has slipped away, or not been taught and passed on to newer generations.
If someone really wants to know, they can do their own research. Back in the day they would have had to check dealerships and suppliers and add it all up, but especially these days, the Google machine is available at their fingertips and there is no reason except lazynes for someone not to know what they want to know.
