12 Everyday Topics New Mexicans Still Treat as Taboo (Even Though We Shouldn’t)

New Mexicans love to chat about Netflix shows and what they ate for lunch. But bring up money or death, and suddenly everyone looks for the nearest exit.

It’s funny when you think about it, because most of these “taboo” subjects are universal.

Everyone’s aging, everyone’s dealing with money, and everyone’s got a bathroom story they’ll never tell out loud.

Yet for some reason, we all keep pretending these things don’t exist. Here are the everyday topics that still make people squirm, even though they shouldn’t.

Aging

Americans treat aging like it’s contagious. People whisper their age as if admitting they turned 50 will make them instantly irrelevant.

Hair dye and wrinkle cream sell fast because society acts like staying young forever is the only option.

It’s funny when you think about it. Every single person is aging at the exact same speed, yet people act like it’s a personal failure to look older.

Celebrities deny plastic surgery while magically transforming their faces every five years, which doesn’t help.

Talking about aging openly might make it less scary. Instead, most people treat it like an embarrassing secret, even though wrinkles are as natural as gray clouds in the sky.

Money

Money talk is still treated like you just asked someone to hand over their Social Security number.

Friends will happily tell you about their weird dream last night. But ask how much they make, and suddenly it’s like you committed a crime.

It’s odd when you think about it. Everyone’s dealing with bills, rent, and those suspicious “convenience fees” that show up on everything from movie tickets to airline seats.

Yet the topic of money is kept in a locked box, even though it directly affects nearly every decision people make.

The irony is that if we actually talked about it more, people might realize they’re not alone in stressing over debt or comparing grocery prices.

But for now, talking about salaries is still more off-limits than talking about your colonoscopy.

Mental Health

Society has gotten better about mental health. But for many people, it’s still whispered about like a family secret.

Someone will tell you about their knee surgery in full detail, but they hesitate before admitting they’re dealing with depression.

On the surface, it makes no sense. The brain is just another part of the body.

And yet struggles of the mind are treated like they need to be hidden away. The stigma is strong in offices, families, and schools, where phrases like “just toughen up” still get thrown around like advice.

If people could admit they’re anxious without fearing side-eye, conversations might help. But because it’s still seen as taboo, plenty of folks are quietly carrying burdens that don’t need to be kept so quiet.

Politics at the Dinner Table

Politics at family gatherings is like throwing a grenade into the mashed potatoes.

People will argue amicably for hours about football teams or whether pineapple belongs on pizza. But mention a presidential candidate, and suddenly everyone is ready to flip the table.

The old rule was “never bring up politics at dinner.”

The problem is, politics affects nearly everything we complain about. From gas prices to healthcare, ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

Handled with respect, these conversations don’t have to end in disaster. But since most people would rather avoid confrontation, politics is still treated like a conversational landmine that many people don’t want to step on.

Religion

Religion is another big taboo that people tiptoe around.

Kids might brag about Sunday school or their church bake sale. But as adults, the subject feels like it’s not as safe to talk about.

The funny part is that faith (or a lack of it) shapes how millions of people live their lives. Yet people avoid it at work, with friends, and even with family, afraid of sparking debate or judgment.

If the subject came up more naturally, people might actually understand each other better.

But for now, most treat it like a secret handshake you’re not supposed to reveal.

Death

People avoid talking about death so much that they can’t even say the word. Instead, we get phrases like “passed on” or “gone to a better place.”

It’s like everyone is playing a game of verbal hide-and-seek.

Of course, avoiding talking about death doesn’t make it go away.

Families often never discuss end-of-life wishes until it’s too late, leaving loved ones scrambling to guess what Grandma would have wanted.

Death is the one thing that is guaranteed in life, yet it remains one of the most avoided conversations.

Periods

Half the population has them, and yet periods are still treated like a code word you can’t say out loud.

Ask certain people to pick up tampons at the store and you’d think you requested plutonium.

Schools brush over the subject, workplaces act like cycles don’t exist, and even commercials still feel the need to use mysterious blue liquid instead of reality.

The taboo lingers, making it harder to have simple, helpful conversations.

Breaking the silence would make life easier for everyone. But society still treats the topic like it’s too embarrassing to mention.

Therapy

Going to therapy is more common than ever, but many still keep it under wraps.

People will say they’re headed to the dentist with no problem, but mention a therapy session and suddenly it’s “a personal errand.”

The truth is, lots of people are in therapy. They’re working through anxiety, relationships, or just trying to survive in a world where grocery prices change every week.

Yet it’s still treated like a shameful secret instead of what it really is: maintenance for your brain.

Imagine how refreshing it would be if someone casually said, “I’ll be late, I have therapy,” and no one blinked an eye.

That should be the goal, but we’re not quite there yet.

Bodily Functions

Let’s be honest, everybody burps, everybody farts, and yet the subject is still treated like something you can’t talk about in polite company.

Kids laugh about it openly. But by adulthood, the topic is stuffed into silence.

Bathrooms are the ultimate taboo zones. No one admits to taking too long, even though every single person has been guilty of “pretend scrolling” to make it less awkward.

Everyone knows, but no one says a word.

It’s bizarre that something this universal is still so embarrassing.

Salaries

Talking about salaries is one of the worst workplace taboos. Employers love it that way, since silence helps keep pay gaps alive and well.

If you ask a co-worker how much they make, you’ll probably get an awkward laugh or a quick subject change.

But imagine how many people would benefit from knowing the truth.

Finding out you’re underpaid might motivate you to ask for more. But without those conversations, you stay in the dark.

It’s no wonder salary chat is seen as forbidden. It’s one of the most powerful taboo breakers out there.

Parenting Struggles

Parenting is another topic people often avoid. Everyone talks about baby showers, birthdays, and milestones.

But the hard stuff—sleep deprivation, tantrums, or the guilt of sneaking screen time—is often kept quiet.

Parents worry about judgment. Admitting you sometimes serve cereal for dinner or forgot spirit week at school feels like confessing a crime.

So, the struggles stay hidden while social media is filled with highlight reels.

If people were more honest, parenting would feel a lot less isolating. But for now, it’s a subject many keep tucked away, even though every parent could use more real talk.

Personal Appearance

From weight to acne to thinning hair, appearance is still treated like a forbidden subject. People notice, but they don’t say anything.

And if they do, it’s usually wrapped in a backhanded compliment like, “You look so much healthier now.”

The truth is, everyone deals with something, whether it’s a stubborn belly, a balding spot, or the realization that no amount of cucumber water is going to “flush out toxins.”