Locker Room Conversation

[HogwldFLTR]

This a bit lengthy but I thought some here my get a kick out of the story.

Yesterday as I was getting dressed after my swim at the health club there was a young lad about 10 years of age with his father at the locker a couple down from mine. He was putting on his gold colored watch and locked over at me asking if I liked his watch. Telling me his mother gave it to him and that it was solid gold. I could tell by looking at it that it was likely anodized aluminum. He asked, "why did she give it to me?" To this I replied that she likely loves him and wants him to be on time. The fathers was laying back and watching the interaction.

I was straight forward the the boy telling him that it looked more like anodized aluminum. He asked how I could tell? I said, well weight is one way. I was wearing the Platona which I wear while swimming and took it off and asked him to feel the difference in weight. He was stunned saying that feels like it weighs a pound (not too far off). He said that his watch needs new batteries. To this I replied that it's still right twice a day. He said, "true, I've set it for 9:30. I need to go to the mall for a new batteries."

I'd like to think that I helped along a budding WIS with open discussion and frank observation. It really was a pleasure to see a young lad as interested in watches as he was. His father also seemed to appreciate my having taken the time to talk with his son.

I'm a bit reminded of a school trip we made to Wall Street when I went to school in Manhattan. We went into a bank; I must have been in third grade. They let us all take turns holding a million dollars. I doubt that opportunity would occur today. It did give me an appreciation of wealth however.

[42itus]

That is awesome. It’s amazing, the impression that you can leave on a young person.

[Abdullah71601]

So... you told the boy his mother lied to him. Did you tell him there's no Santa Claus too?

Sometimes it's better to let kids believe something not perfectly true. I don't see the value in telling him his watch isn't what his mother wanted him to believe it is.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Did you tell him there's no Santa Claus too?

Wait, . . . . what!?

[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

Originally Posted by Brew

Wait, . . . . what!?

The Easter Bunny is real, though.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

So... you told the boy his mother lied to him. Did you tell him there's no Santa Claus too?

Sometimes it's better to let kids believe something not perfectly true. I don't see the value in telling him his watch isn't what his mother wanted him to believe it is.

Where did I say he said his mother told him it was gold; where did I say his mother lied? The only comment about his mother was that she gave him the watch because she loved him and wanted him to be on time.

It was clear he was pretending to me and based upon his father's reactions that was the case; there was no issue. He also got a bit of education on density of materials in a hands on way.

[Fat_ninja]

I liked the story

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Yoda_Eating_Pizza

The Easter Bunny is real, though.

Thank FSM!

[toneafficianado]

Great story. I got into watches at that young age too.


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[1William]

I like the story and my experience leads me to believe that many times interactions with others carries more weight than your parents.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

So... you told the boy his mother lied to him. Did you tell him there's no Santa Claus too?

Sometimes it's better to let kids believe something not perfectly true. I don't see the value in telling him his watch isn't what his mother wanted him to believe it is.

I have to agree.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

So... you told the boy his mother lied to him. Did you tell him there's no Santa Claus too?

Sometimes it's better to let kids believe something not perfectly true. I don't see the value in telling him his watch isn't what his mother wanted him to believe it is.

I cringed when I first read it As this was my take as well.

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Where did I say he said his mother told him it was gold; where did I say his mother lied? The only comment about his mother was that she gave him the watch because she loved him and wanted him to be on time.

It was clear he was pretending to me and based upon his father's reactions that was the case; there was no issue. He also got a bit of education on density of materials in a hands on way.

Glad the father’s reaction was what it was ... could have turned out differently.

[Headshrinker]

Nice story; I think you handled the young man with dignity.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

I have to agree.

I had to go back and read it again.

As I too had the same thoughts about it.

[SkyJuice]

Thanks for sharing this story.

[AzPaul]

Nice story.

[GB-man]

Calm down guys it was just locker room talk

[SMD]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

This a bit lengthy but I thought some here my get a kick out of the story.

Yesterday as I was getting dressed after my swim at the health club there was a young lad about 10 years of age with his father at the locker a couple down from mine. He was putting on his gold colored watch and locked over at me asking if I liked his watch. Telling me his mother gave it to him and that it was solid gold. I could tell by looking at it that it was likely anodized aluminum. He asked, "why did she give it to me?" To this I replied that she likely loves him and wants him to be on time. The fathers was laying back and watching the interaction.

I was straight forward the the boy telling him that it looked more like anodized aluminum. He asked how I could tell? I said, well weight is one way. I was wearing the Platona which I wear while swimming and took it off and asked him to feel the difference in weight. He was stunned saying that feels like it weighs a pound (not too far off). He said that his watch needs new batteries. To this I replied that it's still right twice a day. He said, "true, I've set it for 9:30. I need to go to the mall for a new batteries."

I'd like to think that I helped along a budding WIS with open discussion and frank observation. It really was a pleasure to see a young lad as interested in watches as he was. His father also seemed to appreciate my having taken the time to talk with his son.

I'm a bit reminded of a school trip we made to Wall Street when I went to school in Manhattan. We went into a bank; I must have been in third grade. They let us all take turns holding a million dollars. I doubt that opportunity would occur today. It did give me an appreciation of wealth however.

Let me guess -- you never had kids?

[keithl]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

So... you told the boy his mother lied to him. Did you tell him there's no Santa Claus too?

Sometimes it's better to let kids believe something not perfectly true. I don't see the value in telling him his watch isn't what his mother wanted him to believe it is.

Of course. Quite cringe worthy.

[Star Ferry]

Sorry, I tried as hard as I could to see this in a positive light, but I can't. He didn't ask to try on (or even mention) your watch. You handed your watch to a child... to prove to him that his own watch wasn't actually solid gold. Then you compare holding your watch to holding a million dollars cash. A million dollars a few decades ago could be worth 100 Platonas today.

Further, someone who is able to buy a Platona should not be returning a years-old kayak to Costco.

[mannyv11]

oh boy did this take a turn

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

oh boy did this take a turn

I'm enjoying this thread
Can't say what the OP did is either right or wrong - very much situational and dependent on a lot of factors.

Pretty sure it didn't change the boy's life, one way or another

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

oh boy did this take a turn

At least a dropped watch wasn’t in the equation! Now that would have been awkward.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Burlington

At least a dropped watch wasn’t in the equation! Now that would have been awkward.

i spit out my vodka soda at this one.

damn you, now i need to clean up my keyboard.

[GradyPhilpott]

Nice story and I'm sure that the boy enjoyed the attention.

I don't see any reason for anyone to be so judgemental over such an innocent story.

[donas]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

So... you told the boy his mother lied to him. Did you tell him there's no Santa Claus too?

Sometimes it's better to let kids believe something not perfectly true. I don't see the value in telling him his watch isn't what his mother wanted him to believe it is.

Must admit, this was my exact thought as I read the story as well. If he was 20, then burst his bubble....but 10, let the kid dream. I have a different feel for this interaction than some I suppose.

[SunTzu]

Why did I immediately think of this movie scene?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfgO90yGusI

[OysterBracelet]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I was straight forward the the boy telling him that it looked more like anodized aluminum.

My favourite part. You sir, are a class act.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I was straight forward the the boy telling him that it looked more like anodized aluminum.

And then I told him his father looked like a 98 pound weakling and his mother was ugly.



Just kidding...

[toxicavenger]

Damn what a dream killer.

I am surprised the dad didn't tell you to pound sand.