i think there is a lot of embarrassment discussing salary because it shows how you're valued by the company. I get uncomfortable discussing mine because i don't want to provoke jealousy. However, if i was paid less than most i'd find it embarrassing to admit the company found me less valuable than others.
Discussing with your peers how much you are being paid is the only way you figure out your value.
Companies are quite opaque and it's hard to know what you are worth to them, that's why they don't disclose this sort of thing. (and get angry when workers discuss it)
You would do yourself (and the people in your world around you) a whole lot better service if you worked together, rather than worrying about embarrassment.
