The question wasn't about whether one should go first here, the question was whether if I make $100k should say either a) "I make $100k today and I want at lea

The question wasn't about whether one should go first here, the question was whether if I make $100k should say either a) "I make $100k today and I want at least 20% more which is $120k" vs b) "I want at least $120k" The difference there is a lot less obvious. Of course, in the second you might have a minuscule chance of them offering way over $120k whereas in a you would not.