Please explain the chaos of leaving your Venmo activity public

[Anonymous]

A lot of people don't realize these transactions are public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people don't realize these transactions are public.

If you are on the younger side (under 50) how could you not realize this? When I log into Venmo, the first thing I see is a home page with other people's transactions posted. It only took me one or two times of logging in to wonder "huh, can people see MY transactions?" and to go check and make sure mine was set to private.

I'm not trying to hide anything, I just don't think my transactions are anyone's business. I also don't post my grocery receipts online for the same reason.

[Anonymous]

My aunt does it so everyone sees that her children pay her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people don't realize these transactions are public.

That’s ridiculous. Literally whenever you log into the app whether or not your own transactions are public or private, you see a list of other transactions. It never occurred to these dumb dumbs to think wow why are those there for me to see? I sure hope mine aren’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so everyone can see all the cool activities you do and the friends you're paying.

I feel like this is it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so everyone can see all the cool activities you do and the friends you're paying.

I feel like this is it.

I agree because I only use Venmo for very practical things like paying a landscaper or buying a used grill from a neighbor.

But the people who post their activity all seem to doing a lot of "social" Venmo-ing, always splitting checks with friends or paying people for vacation expenses. I also go to dinner with friends and on vacation -- I just don't use Venmo to do it. So I think it is partly performative, not unlike posting photos from an outing so that people know you went out.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you OP. I don't understand public Venmo at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm with you OP. I don't understand public Venmo at all.

The whole point of Venmo (which I believe is owned by PayPal) is to attract younger users who will use it with friends in a more social media way. The point of the public display option is to make it FUN. Which apparently worked because it is used by many people, especially younger people.

I’ll admit I assume some people don’t realize it’s public. I’ll also admit I do find it fun/funny to see my old boss make his adult children pay him rent and split takeout costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe the number of people who are constantly Venmo'ing their spouse back and forth. That must be an exhausting way to live.

I do this. Dh and I don’t share bank accounts so sometimes we send each other money. It’s not exhausting at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe the number of people who are constantly Venmo'ing their spouse back and forth. That must be an exhausting way to live.

I do this. Dh and I don’t share bank accounts so sometimes we send each other money. It’s not exhausting at all.

NP but I don’t really get this either. Why don’t you share bank accounts? It makes life so much easier.

[Anonymous]

My Venmo is public. I know and I don't care. It's also not chaotic. I don't get my panties in a wad because someone can see I pay my house cleaner.

[Anonymous]

I hide it because i pay hookers via Venmo

[Anonymous]

I think it’s funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe the number of people who are constantly Venmo'ing their spouse back and forth. That must be an exhausting way to live.

I do this. Dh and I don’t share bank accounts so sometimes we send each other money. It’s not exhausting at all.

NP but I don’t really get this either. Why don’t you share bank accounts? It makes life so much easier.

+1 you don't share bank accounts so are you bean counting for like clothes you bought for the kids that was supposed to be in his budget or what? Insanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm with you OP. I don't understand public Venmo at all.

The whole point of Venmo (which I believe is owned by PayPal) is to attract younger users who will use it with friends in a more social media way. The point of the public display option is to make it FUN. Which apparently worked because it is used by many people, especially younger people.

I’ll admit I assume some people don’t realize it’s public. I’ll also admit I do find it fun/funny to see my old boss make his adult children pay him rent and split takeout costs.

Agree. I will also admit that I found DS’s math tutor this way. Someone I’m not that close with kept paying this person. I know their kid does well. Tutor has been great. Helpful!