I've worked in environments where the boss told me next to nothing about his personal life and some where I was told more than I would ever want to know (watching adult movies with date in hottub - early '90s before Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill changed the rules). I've seen the financials of one boss, handled personal issues for him and even watched his granddaughter while they made a short visitation to his uncle's widow they didn't want to take the child too. And one boss's wife watched my daughter for a couple days when I needed a last minute sitter.
In general though, I prefer something in between close and know nothing at all. I don't mind hearing about family vacations, children's antics, etc. But I don't like to share much of my personal life with anyone, in or out of work. I love my children and am proud of them - I tell them I love them and praise their accomplishments but I don't feel like I need to brag about them to everyone else (except those closest to us). I have a BF but don't really talk about the ups and downs of our relationship with anyone - even family - beyond joking it would make a good Lifetime movie one day. That's just me.
I've been burned to many times by co-workers and former friends. To protect my privacy, I learned early on to adopt the mantra of "don't tell anyone anything you don't want everyone to know". Some people will gossip out of malice and but others just slip up and the next thing you know everyone knows your business.
Michelle
