From how many marks in school to how much salary in job, man frustrated at relatives questions. Netizens suggest ways to enjoy the drama

There’s always that one nosy relative who just can’t resist asking, “So beta, how much do you earn now?” For one Reddit user, the constant interrogation became too much to handle. In a viral post, the man opened up about how every trip back home turns into an unwanted income audit, sparking a flood of relatable comments from others who’ve faced the same awkward family moments.

The Redditor shared that each time he visits his hometown for family functions, he inevitably bumps into someone determined to know his salary. What annoys him most is how casually people treat the question, as if income is public information. He explained that he usually brushes it off by saying he earns enough for basic needs, but lately, even that hasn’t stopped the probing.

The man went on to reflect on how this obsession with comparison starts early. From asking about exam scores in school to measuring worth through paychecks as adults, he said many Indians grow up surrounded by a culture of constant comparison. According to him, those asking about salaries often use it as a way to rank who’s doing better — either their own child or themselves.

Netizens react

The post quickly hit home for many, and the comments section turned into a goldmine of creative comebacks. One user suggested a simple trick — understate your salary by about 30% and let the relatives assume you’re struggling. Another admitted to sometimes doing the opposite: when faced with overly nosy or boastful relatives, they casually double the number just to enjoy the stunned reactions.

A third user shared how they once told relatives they earned only ₹18,000 a month despite being an MBA graduate from a tier-1 college with a solid salary in six figures. The relatives immediately started debating the accuracy of the number, with one calling it “too low” and another trying to justify it based on their own child’s pay. The user said it’s best to throw in an absurd number and sit back to enjoy the chaos that follows.


Some preferred a calmer and repetitive approach — saying “it’s enough to get by” every single time until the curious relative gives up. Whether it’s sarcasm, exaggeration, or sheer indifference, the Redditors agreed that the only way to survive nosy questions about income is to play along and have fun with it.