Friends & datingBeginner
Avoiding salary questions in English (beginner)
Beginner English for avoiding salary questions. Key line: “Can we not talk about salary?”
Full script
Lin
Can we not talk about salary?
Them
Oh, sure. I'm just curious.
Lin
It's kind of private.
Them
No problem. Is it good?
Lin
It's enough for rent and dumplings.
Them
Then it's good enough.
Lin
Yes, I'm rich in dumplings.
Them
Okay, I'll count your dumplings then.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
skip it
✓ Can we not talk about salary?polite way to stop this topic
Polite topic change; direct, not rude
private
✓ It's kind of private.soft way to say it is personal
kind of makes it softer
curious
✓ I'm just curious.say why you ask
Common to explain why you ask
enough
✓ It's enough for rent.says your money covers rent
enough for + noun
Quick answers
skip it: what to say in English
Say “Can we not talk about salary?” — polite way to stop this topic. Polite topic change; direct, not rude.
private: what to say in English
Say “It's kind of private.” — soft way to say it is personal. kind of makes it softer.
curious: what to say in English
Say “I'm just curious.” — say why you ask. Common to explain why you ask.
enough: what to say in English
Say “It's enough for rent.” — says your money covers rent. enough for + noun.