Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as offering “too much information.” Some things are better left unsaid, and this is a list of personal facts that are best left unshared.
In most social situations, keeping pertinent information to yourself is almost always better. In an era where privacy matters more than ever, it’s time we took back what’s ours (our personal information) and learned to live more confidentially.
You’re doing yourself a disservice if you offer any of this information without a good reason.
1. How Much Money You Make
Most men and women find discussing their salary with others uncomfortable and tacky because, well, it is. Social situations immediately become tense when how much money you make is brought up because it’s such a sensitive thing to discuss. In the end, it’s nobody’s business but your own.
I’ve rolled my eyes countless times when arrogant people casually reveal their financial situation to me. It’s not a good look.
2. Your Romantic History
Someone revealing the number of their romantic partners to anyone is exceptionally eye-opening, especially if you’re giving this information to someone you don’t know. I’ve been on many first dates throughout my life, and like most people, I know better than to share this personal information.
I’ve also encountered a few women who were happy to share their “number” with me on the first date, making it relatively easy for me to move on to the next person.
3. Personal Trauma
Sharing personal trauma should only be done in a safe space. Unfortunately, safe spaces are increasingly rare, leading to many people keeping this information close to their chests. Remember, you’re under no obligation to reveal incredibly personal information like trauma.
Offering this information in the wrong setting can quickly change the tone of a conversation and open up a rabbit hole of emotion.
4. Your Family History
Everybody has skeletons in their closets regarding their immediate family. No family is perfect; we all have stories about our childhood or parents that would make our friends’ jaws drop. Typically, anything family-related is considered off-limits in most conversations.
Steer clear from sharing personal facts surrounding family health issues and particularly volatile parts of your childhood.
5. Your Political Beliefs
In light of the upcoming presidential election, I think it’s an excellent time to remind everyone to keep their political beliefs to themselves! (Unless you love agonizingly aggressive arguments with whoever you share this information with.)
Politics is a hot-button topic, and it’s best to avoid the unnecessary drama surrounding revealing who you plan to vote for. Let’s all agree to stop yelling at each other for a while, shall we?
6. Your Social Security Number
Let me clarify: Your Social Security number should be protected at all costs and not shared under any circumstances. Of course, exceptions apply, like applying for a mortgage or other financial transaction.
If you share your Social Security number in conversation or frequently online, you’re doing something extremely ill-advised. You’re tempting fate with that behavior.
7. Photos of Your Kids
Yikes. I’m blown away by how many parents post photos of their kids on social media. Don’t they know the internet is filled with creeps and weirdos?
Please stop sharing photos or other identifying information about your children online. Not only is it unsafe, but you’re doing so without your kids’ knowledge. Ask yourself: Would you want your parents to post photos of you without your permission?
8. Your Personal Plans
In the age of social media, it’s tempting to post every aspect of our daily lives for all to see. However, this is always a terrible idea. Your personal plans for the day, week, or year are nobody’s business but your own. Is no information sacred anymore?
I long for the days when we didn’t know everything about each other like we do in 2024. Those were simpler (and happier) times.
9. Your Home Address
Just like it’s weird to post photos of your kids online, sharing your home address in most situations (especially on the internet) is bizarre. Ask yourself: do you want total strangers to know where you live? That’s a terrifying thought, isn’t it?
Keep your home address to yourself, and only share it on a “need-to-know basis.” After all, the people you trust already know it.
10. Your Banking Information
Banking information is another confidential piece of information that we share too frequently. Suppose information like routing and account numbers falls into the wrong hands. In that case, it’s game over: our financial lives will crumble in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, the risks don’t stop there. Since your banking information is tied to your identity, you could lose everything if you share these facts with the wrong person.
11. Your Debt
If you sign into any modern social media platform in 2024, you’ll inevitably encounter countless videos of people whining and complaining about their mountain of debt. Why are men and women (usually millennials) doing this? Do they have no shame?
Massive debt piles are not arbitrarily assigned; they are earned by being utterly irresponsible with money. Think twice before you flaunt your lack of financial insight to the world.
12. Your Phone Number
Is there anything more annoying than endless spam calls hitting your phone at all hours of the day? If we all agreed to limit sharing our phone numbers, most of us would see a significant decrease in these calls.
Our phone number is unique and should give people who know you direct access to communicate with you. Share this information wisely, or better yet, don’t share it at all. (And don’t give it out to strangers, even if you’re in the dating scene.)
13. Your Passwords
Although “don’t share your password with anyone” seems like common sense in 2024, I’m routinely surprised by how often I accidentally stumble across other people’s passwords. I can’t imagine how many people use the same Hulu password as their Google account password, for example.
Your online identity is one of the most valuable things you have. Sharing even the most innocuous password with family and friends increases the likelihood of theft.
14. Your Medical History
Most people agree that oversharing is a problem these days. Keep your medical history to yourself. Nobody wants to hear about your latest surgery or medical procedure. If that’s not the definition of “too much information,” I don’t know what is.
Believe it or not, your wild medical history isn’t nearly as fascinating to others as you think it is.
15. Your Family Drama
If your family is anything like mine, the drama is consistently off the charts. For example, at any given moment, my mother refuses to talk to her own sister for months over some random perceived slight. It’s wild. I don’t get it.
Keep these facts to yourself. Everyone’s family has its fair share of drama. Nobody wants to hear about your drama when it doesn’t concern them, so sharing it will likely fall on deaf ears.
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