Showing Rolex to Professor

[pwrslider]

Hmm... I think you have your priorities a little mixed up...

The question should be asked by importance....such as:

Should I show my professor to my rolex?

[Incurable]

I wouldn't read too much into things... You don't know what his response might be. You could approach him and tell him how much you enjoyed his lecture about Rolex vs. Timex and see where it goes. He may be a WIS and it could be a bonding point. A little further conversation with him won't make or break your grade. Showing interest in what he has to say may appeal to his ego. Who knows... ???

[Rolex_07]

Originally Posted by Incurable

.....You could approach him and tell him how much you enjoyed his lecture about Rolex vs. Timex and see where it goes. He may be a WIS and it could be a bonding point.... Showing interest in what he has to say may appeal to his ego. Who knows... ???

To clarify here: It wasn't really a lecture persay. He was giving a lecture on quality. Quality is if you satisfy the customer's needs/expectations.

In other words, he said that Timex had one type of quality, and Rolex has a much different type of quality.

The lecture was mostly on quality instead of watches/timepieces.

[East Bay Rider]

Quality... Hmmm

Have you read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
Interesting read. Very interesting topic of discussion of quality, what it means and how to identify it.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by Rolex_07

To clarify here: It wasn't really a lecture persay. He was giving a lecture on quality. Quality is if you satisfy the customer's needs/expectations.

In other words, he said that Timex had one type of quality, and Rolex has a much different type of quality.

The lecture was mostly on quality instead of watches/timepieces.

Quality... Hmmm...

Have you read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
Interesting read. Deep inside the story there is a very interesting discussion of quality, what it means and how to identify it.

[stnmikita]

Originally Posted by pwrslider

Hmm... I think you have your priorities a little mixed up...

The question should be asked by importance....such as:

Should I show my professor to my rolex?

Good stuff.

[speicher1]

In fact, the first Rolex I have ever seen in person was on my biology professor's wrist. He had a TT Sub.

[jac67]

Personally, I wouldn't show him even if he is a Rolex fan.

How could anyhing good come of it. Lets face it, people are jealous by nature, and your prof will think you're a yuppy.


John.

[toph]

Personally i would not mention your rolex to a Uni professor. I dont as they ( well here in the UK) are what you would call Left wing liberals. and you what they think of capitalism and wealth.

[Lol-x]

You know there are a lot of students and it is those students that stand out to their lecturers that can develop lines of communication that make a difference.

However, not personally knowing the nature of the professor, I don't feel confident enough to advise you as to handle it and ensure you come out a winner.

I would conclude by saying: if in doubt don't.

[sherwin]

ive had an academic staff comment on my TT DJ, he was sporting a 6694 with riveted bracelet.

He said "nice watch",
I said "yours too, a very good vintage, and workhorse"

[Norm]

Scarface has given you excellent advice. I recommend you follow it. Having said that you could take it a step beyond showing your professor your Rolex. You could do as my friend did over 20 years ago. We were both medical interns (first year after medical school and the lowest of the doctor food chain) however he came from great family wealth and was a prankster by nature. At this particular hospital there was a very accomplished, albeit arrogant surgeon who drove a red Porsche 928 and parked it in the same spot, next to the door every day. There was no assigned parking but he kept the spot by arriving at 5 AM each day and eventually it was assumed to be "his" spot so no one parked there even if he happened to be late one day. Well my friend decides to buy the exact same car, color and all and gets there at 4 AM the next day and parks in his spot. He then hides and watches the scene unfold as the surgeon arrives, gets out of his car and looks back and forth at the two cars like he just entered a Twilight Zone adventure. My friend had all he could do to not crack up and give himself away. The surgeon spent the rest of the day interviewing all the attending (fully trained) doctors as to who took his spot. Imagine his anger when he found out a lowly intern drove the same car as him and had the gall to take his spot as well!

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by Rolex_07

My Business professor has recently mentioned Rolex a few times during class.

We were talking about quality of products and he mentioned Timex V.S. Rolex.

I was wondering if you guys would think that it would be okay for me to show him my YG DD after class with no one else around.

What do you think? Afterall, he may be a WIS

Just tell him you noticed he used the Rolex example alot and ask him if he is a watch collector. You'll know if it is the right decision to proceed from that discussion.

Originally Posted by BigHat

Guess the old saying remains true -- those that can't do, teach.

That is a ridiculous statement.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by BigHat

Guess the old saying remains true -- those that can't do, teach.

I agree, ridiculous.

With a few years under my belt as a marketing manager in a multinational everyone has heard of, I have later pushed myself to go through the years of a PhD; and currently an assistant Prof, with my own consulting firm. My ex-employing company is one of my customers. The best of both worlds.

Big Hat, as a marketing person I was giving 12-15 hours of my daily time to a large corporation and earned a very good salary. Quality of life back then...?
Now spending an average of 10-12 hours a day between my Uni and my own practice. Guess what? I don't even feel how the day passes... as if I am doing my hobby.... Quality of life? Wanna talk money? I will let you guess this one

Concluding, I 'd say that the old saying is, at least, outdated..., the motives driving a person to academia are far more complex than "can't do" ...

Now, getting back to the question, a business Professor would most likely be doing quite well. I can't imagine anyone being poor. Unlikely to be jealous of a student's watch - Rolex or whatever ...
But a student, as someone who has not yet been tested in life through the reality of markets and work, should be modest.
Time will come when this young student will be a succesful person. I can assure you, his ex-Professor, will be the first to be HAPPY about him.

[doc_colton]

Frankly I don't quite understand the issue

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by doc_colton

Frankly I don't quite understand the issue

Doc, you 've answered yourself in this (other) thread..:

Originally Posted by doc_colton

... Was he flashing it around the office going "look at me, I've got a Rolex and you don't!" Why would all of the co-workers be standing around discussing your friend's watch if he didn't call attention to himself in the first place. I've worn a Rolex to work for the past 10 years or so and it's a non-issue

[bsodmike]

I try to avoid any 'watch' discussions in public unless it is with another WIS (or much better, a group of WISes...).

Otherwise, there rarely is ever any good to come out of the conversation. Oh sure, how would I find out if someone else is a WIS? ...that's what forums like these exist for

[Scarface]

I think the whole issue is not really about the two persons above - the student and his Prof ...
It is about being ostentatious or modest.

When things -like a discussion on Rolex watches- come naturally, everyone is happy and the outcome is a pleasant discussion between two people who appreciate the same fine things.
But when, on the other hand, there is a one-sided display of "bling" the result can't be good.

I don't see how the student could proceed naturally and show his watch to his professor, just because the later mentioned rolex in his lecture. This leans dangerously to the conspicuous side and -taken into account that the interaction in the classroom has a different purpose- cannot be interpreted well for the student...

Now if the two of them know each other well and share a drink or in another (social) setting, then they can of course discuss whatever ...

[Incurable]

Interesting all the different 'takes' on this potential situation. On the one hand, there's the eager-puppy who just barges in and abruptly displays his watch then sits back and expects adoration... Not exactly productive. Or, there's the intelligent student who inches his way into a conversation, measuring the professor's responses and POSSIBLY culminates in showing him his Rolex. It's just a social interaction. If the prof. is not amicable, move on... no harm done.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Scarface

I agree, ridiculous.

With a few years under my belt as a marketing manager in a multinational everyone has heard of, I have later pushed myself to go through the years of a PhD; and currently an assistant Prof, with my own consulting firm. My ex-employing company is one of my customers. The best of both worlds.

Big Hat, as a marketing person I was giving 12-15 hours of my daily time to a large corporation and earned a very good salary. Quality of life back then...?
Now spending an average of 10-12 hours a day between my Uni and my own practice. Guess what? I don't even feel how the day passes... as if I am doing my hobby.... Quality of life? Wanna talk money? I will let you guess this one

Concluding, I 'd say that the old saying is, at least, outdated..., the motives driving a person to academia are far more complex than "can't do" ...

Now, getting back to the question, a business Professor would most likely be doing quite well. I can't imagine anyone being poor. Unlikely to be jealous of a student's watch - Rolex or whatever ...
But a student, as someone who has not yet been tested in life through the reality of markets and work, should be modest.
Time will come when this young student will be a succesful person. I can assure you, his ex-Professor, will be the first to be HAPPY about him.

Of course you are right about this and it is a gross generalization. Be aware that the intial post lacked the context of the comparison to the point that many were unsure which watch (if any) was being criticized or what precisiely THIS particular professor was comparing.
With two post-graduate degrees I certainly have met, and been influenced by many competent professors. I have also met my share of pompous jerks, sheltered in the tenure system and clueless about the real world. If you assert that that they don't exist than you're being ridiculous. "Those who can't do, teach" is well known and frequently used expression I heard for the first time 40 years ago. I expect it to be in use for 100s of years.
I apologize to any professors here that took it as a personal attack; wasn't meant to be.
Also totally agree that teaching offers a quality of life to be envied and a healthy work- life balance that may or may not yield less pay isn't a bad thing either.

Back on the subject. The teacher and student basically have entered into an informal contract where the watches fetishes of either one are irrelevant. I don't see why the interaction between the two should be on anything other than the subject matter at hand.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by BigHat

I have also met my share of pompous jerks, sheltered in the tenure system and clueless about the real world.

Yes, Big Hat, many of them. More than necessary. I disagreed on the generalization.
The good thing is that the recent trend in Uni faculties is against such people, at least in business education; Most are people who have been or currently are practicioners as well.

Originally Posted by BigHat

Back on the subject. The teacher and student basically have entered into an informal contract where the watches fetishes of either one are irrelevant. I don't see why the interaction between the two should be on anything other than the subject matter at hand.

That 's what I was saying too.
Not knowing what type of person this prof. is, better for the student to play safe and keep some formalities.

[CoopJr]

Originally Posted by Norm

Scarface has given you excellent advice. I recommend you follow it. Having said that you could take it a step beyond showing your professor your Rolex. You could do as my friend did over 20 years ago. We were both medical interns (first year after medical school and the lowest of the doctor food chain) however he came from great family wealth and was a prankster by nature. At this particular hospital there was a very accomplished, albeit arrogant surgeon who drove a red Porsche 928 and parked it in the same spot, next to the door every day. There was no assigned parking but he kept the spot by arriving at 5 AM each day and eventually it was assumed to be "his" spot so no one parked there even if he happened to be late one day. Well my friend decides to buy the exact same car, color and all and gets there at 4 AM the next day and parks in his spot. He then hides and watches the scene unfold as the surgeon arrives, gets out of his car and looks back and forth at the two cars like he just entered a Twilight Zone adventure. My friend had all he could do to not crack up and give himself away. The surgeon spent the rest of the day interviewing all the attending (fully trained) doctors as to who took his spot. Imagine his anger when he found out a lowly intern drove the same car as him and had the gall to take his spot as well!

That's a great story Norm! As far as showing the Prof...I wouldn't...just because with a DD, flying under the radar is safest.