Got Scolded For Wearing 16610LV Last Weekend

[tkerrmd]

well as they say "No good deed goes unpunished!"

[joseluu]

I wouldn´t think twice about this, but if you find yourself again in that situation and feel uneasy, try "come on, man! it´s fake!". I must confess I do that with relative frequency, although for different reasons (like not being in the mood to explain...

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Rumblings about a watch while going out of your way to help others?

Seems like the Director should have talked to the "rumblers" rather than you, IMHO.

You've already taken the high road by helping others. Good for you, keep at it, and wear any damn watch you want while doing it.
dP

X2!

[DiamondJack]

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in quite a while......

So your Director thinks they would prefer not to receive help from someone displaying a visible signs of wealth.... what because it reminds them they need help.....I presume that's pretty obvious from their situation.....and I would imagine TV has brought home to them the harsh reality of the haves and the have nots without your watch reminding them......

Any other requirements..... perhaps your Director thinks you need to arrive on the bus, wear clothes from a second-hand shop, miss the occasional meal...... ludicrous......

In reality, I am more inclined to think there were absolutely no comments made and it was far more likely that your Director has a rather screwed up sense of what these people need and are thinking.............help is help and I've yet to hear of anyone in need who is selective from whom that help is received.......

[AAP8]

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

The poor - rich divide is getting to a critical level now. 80 of the richest people now own more money than 3.5 Billion of the worlds poorest.

Thats true ... but a lot of that money is being used to help as many of those 3.5 billion people as possible, a lot of those top 80 are huge philanthropists.

Also, CASH compared as currency for a poverty level is idiotic. $10,000USD has such a highly varied buying power in the various parts of the world that you cannot compare fairly. In the US it would mean you are poor, in India (my parents native home) it would mean you are middle class ... cost of living is much lower in India.

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by DWF

So what? They have more money than me too. So does the 80 richest people in this country and the 80 richest people in this city. Thats the way life works.

So what? What an incredible attitude to have. Oh wait, you're from Texas. That figures. Lol

[SoonerTA]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Your actions speak louder than any watch you have on
They should have all been talking about what a great guy you are instead of what watch you had on
That watch is not offensive and really surprised anyone there even noticed
Keep up the good fight

Exactly! +1

[a_plus1234]

"mo money, mo problems" ???
Quote from Notorious BIG

[DWF]

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

So what? What an incredible attitude to have. Oh wait, you're from Texas. That figures. Lol

Ah, I just noticed you're from the little island nation. That better helps me understand your perspective too.

[cornerstore]

First let me applaud your selfless giving of your time to others less fortunate.I just Goggled several large and small organizations and the dress codes expected from volunteers,one theme was consistent .."nothing of a proactive nature" ..to be worn. The situation and answers here shows if nothing else that wearing a Rolex under the circumstances you describe could be considered somewhat provocative .

[jbshaffer]

...I work with disadvantaged, low income folks all the time. I wear many different watches from $20 Russian specials to my SD and BB. I've being working with these folks for almost 35 years. Not ONCE has anyone I assisted ever commented on any of my watches. As to the program staff that's another story. Your "Director" apparently has personal issues with your watch. BTW: I'm the "Director" of a large rural health department...

[E70x5]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Rumblings about a watch while going out of your way to help others?

Seems like the Director should have talked to the "rumblers" rather than you, IMHO.

You've already taken the high road by helping others. Good for you, keep at it, and wear any damn watch you want while doing it.
dP

x 2

[jot_]

Originally Posted by jbshaffer

...I work with disadvantaged, low income folks all the time. I wear many different watches from $20 Russian specials to my SD and BB. I've being working with these folks for almost 35 years. Not ONCE has anyone I assisted ever commented on any of my watches. As to the program staff that's another story. Your "Director" apparently has personal issues with your watch. BTW: I'm the "Director" of a large rural health department...

Yeah, I'm going to go with this. I work with all segments of the population as well, and no one has ever noticed my watches (except for the guy who also has a few Rolexes).

I see merits to both sides of the argument - but in reality, I doubt any of your clients noticed and if they did notice, I highly doubt they cared. The other staff or this Director are the ones with the problem.

That being said, it may have come from a good place. I know a few community health care professionals and almost all of them forego expensive jewellery on the job for the same reason. I know of at least one who even has an older car she drives to patients' homes so that her Audi doesn't give off the wrong impression.

[samsam]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Your actions speak louder than any watch you have on

They should have all been talking about what a great guy you are instead of what watch you had on

That watch is not offensive and really surprised anyone there even noticed

Keep up the good fight

Well said. I would have said something back to my director, but hey, I'm known to speak back. ROFL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DCGuy1965]

Wow lots of responses I see. Thought this thread would be on page 4 by now. Anyway let me clear the air on one thing. The Director I spoke of was not my boss but rather worked at the non-profit that does these types of things. Also definitely not a WIS as I could see given our conversation and the way she addressed me. All in all I truly appreciate everyone's positive feedback and will not stop doing volunteer work given it is needed more than ever now with all the safety net cuts.

I was raised by good parents that instilled what I think are good values in me. Of course my father wonders where he lost me with my left thinking views as of late but I feel a better person for it. I used to be pushy and could be somewhat aloof at times but when 2008 happened and I looked into the abyss of the recession and it scared the holy crapola out of me. I've since become far more tolerant and aware of those folks working service jobs and the like that they most likely had to take to support themselves. Either way lesson learned. Thanks for listening. I'll shut up now :D

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by Bulliondesk

Next time wear a 5970 you will blend in.. a Sub is way too flashy! ;)

That's why I stopped wearing my platinum DDII and bought a 5970P, don't want to offend people.

Seriously, your intention and time is what counts, unless you were bragging about your watch, I really don't see what the big deal is.

Like another said, if the charity you volunteer at is so sensitive, maybe you ought to change to another one. Apparently they care more about what you wear than why you are there. And some are so jealous of successful people that they will always find things about you that they don't like.

[Wesley Crusher]

These days, people are offended by the smallest, most irrelevant things.

You seem like a good guy who is trying to help out others and what do you get in return? A lecture? That's not cool.

Honestly, I would have told the director to go and kick rocks. He isn't signing your paychecks. You don't have to take that crap from him.

[iazrollie]

That's why I've started gravitating to PPs. Nobody knows what they are, so haters can't be nosy busybodies, all up in my grill.

[T. Ferguson]

I'd love to chime in but probably can't without getting into politics. So I'll just say "Nice watch".

But I do find it interesting that big ticket, black tie, celebrity charity benefits are no problem, but just don't actually do something with them while wearing a nice timepiece.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

This can be a problem owning a Rolex or any other luxury item. I wouldn't worry about it too much as you weren't out to offend anyone or flash your wealth/good fortune around.

[coralfarmer84]

In the few instances people have given me grief about my watch (in a retail setting) I usually respond with... It's a fake, I paid 50 bucks for it. Etc etc. usually gets people to back off. Sure it wouldn't help in your situation but sometimes depending on scenario it's better to give a little white lie then have to deal with others insecurities.

[polarinda]

Maybe doctors shouldn't help the sick because the former would be presumed to have a lot more medical knowledge than the latter?

"You seem smarter than me. I'd rather die"

[GB-man]

It's not about the watch its about the man that's wearing it. From the sound of things you're better than most by a long shot. Don't let the judgments of others get ya down.

[s14roller]

I'm sure you feel bad about it, but like others have said, you didn't mean anything by it but I'd agree that in the future, the watch needs to match the environment in terms of what people would perceive as having good or poor taste. Part of it may also have been the color, as I have worn a black Sub to charity events before and no one has noticed.

I can relate though...by the first year out of the school I had saved enough for my first "nice" car which was a 911. I drove it to work on occasion and thought nothing of it until my boss one day told me some of the other departments had come up to him jokingly asking him how much our guys made.

It never crossed my mind until then that perception is important regardless of the merits. I keep that stuff under the radar now, except with my Sub...I wear that everyday not bc it's a Rolex, but it's the cheapest watch I own and it was a present from my wife.

[Cato]

What a bunch of ingrates!

[Rolex40mm]

This is exactly the reason why i like 'under the radar' Rolexes. Seriously, some Rolexes like the date sub, LV, two tones, and full gold ones could be seen from across the river.

People who can't afford them get jealous. Your boss thinks that you think you're better than him, and you have enough money not to get a raise. Your friends and relatives believe you're rich, and start asking you to lend them money. Also, you can be putting yourself in dangerous situations in certain settings, when there are crooks and thieves around.

[donas]

Originally Posted by Cato

What a bunch of ingrates!

I couldn't agree more. This is where we are as a society now....it's not that you are giving your time, money, effort, but you have to do it in a certain manner and don't forget, you "owe" those people. If you have something you have earned, please give those that chose to just want and not earn their fair share.

[brettpaul]

It's an honest mistake and the fact that it's still eating at you demonstrates the strength of character you have and the empathy you have for those around you. As one of the members said, they should have been talking about what a great guy you are for helping out those less fortunate.

Chin up mate - ya' done good!

[lipjin]

Reminds me of a quote I saw today:

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.


If you have the means to buy a Rolex, so be it.

[AF_Rob]

I can see both points of view here. When I have those impromptu moments of interacting with those much less fortunate than myself, I have become self conscious over my watch considering the amount of good it could do on its own besides telling me the time. When I do outreach work, I don't have it on for that reason. To each their own, everyone reacts different. But, since you were affected by the whole situation, you may be in the lot that feels more comfortable leaving it at home.