It isn't exactly taboo to boohoo in sports these days.

WSJ: Handling the Bawl: March Madness Turns Into the Crying Game

In industries that have remained relatively strong, such as health care or education, asking for a raise won't be taboo, but Mr. Feiner still advises keeping expectations in check and using supporting evidence when making the case.

WSJ: It Can Be Done: Landing a Raise In a Recession

But even love matches can't be openly consummated before marriage, thanks to the taboo against premarital sex.

WSJ: India Needs a Sexual Revolution

The attraction of violence could be that it gives people "a chance to experience taboo -- events that they can't experience in their own lives -- or see things they don't see in their typical life, " said Brad Bushman, professor of communications and psychology at Ohio State University.

CNN: Fans attracted to 'forbidden fruit' of violence

Unlike other taboo subjects, your neighbor's income isn't likely to keep you up at night with burning questions you must hear answered before you die.

CNN: Five low salaries that might surprise you

We didn't really speak about my disability, not because it was a topic that was taboo... it was just never an issue.

CNN: Who is 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius?

But she knows for sure that she doesn't want to go back to her home valley, where girls marry young and music is taboo.

WSJ: Young Afghans Face Backlash Over Music