Got called out on my AP by a putz!

[DoxaDavid]

I am working this week in my companies vendor booth at the Arizona Bar Association Annual Convention. I normally wear a sport coat to these deals but since it is only slightly cooler than the surface of the sun here I wore slacks and a polo shirt yesterday.

For background...We are a legal document services provider (process service, court filing, research etc) along with being a private investigative agency who specializes in skip tracing and asset location so law firms make up the majority of our clients hence the attendance.

I am standing there and a well dressed attorney walks by our booth and asks what we offer for services and I go into my schpeel. He stands there nodding his head then goes "Business must be pretty damn good for you!" as a statement, not a question. I say yes, it's petty good. He follows up with, " It must be better than pretty good. "I didn't realize process servers made so much money to afford an AP" (I was wearing my RC) and continued with, "damn, if I had known that I wouldn't have needed to waste three years going to law school when I could have just delivered papers to people."

At this point I realized two things... One, the guy was not going to do business with my company and two, he was a major arrogant ass!

My first reaction was to say I'm not just a process server but own one of the largest legal document support companies in the country with over 60 employees but that would have insulted all the very hard working people I have employeed who are process servers so said, "Its true you don't need to go to law school to serve court papers but I have more than one attorney who works for me process serving because they find the work to be more rewarding and make more money than when they were practicing law at half the hours so I believe they consider it a career upgrade."

He stared at me for a couple of seconds then walked away saying, "nice watch!" and I replied THANKS!

I would never, no matter what the industry make such a condescending comment about anyone regardless of what profession they were in. Hell, I know several people who work in many trades such as plumbing or electrical who make very good livings and can easily afford a nice watch!

Anyway, thought it was comical and wanted to share it. And I know there will be several people who will jump on attorney bashing which to a certain degree I can't argue against but hate stereotyping so will just say there are plenty of attorneys who I have worked with who think this way but not all of them are like this AHole!

Just heading back to the conference for the last day so mybe I'll see the guy again today. I'm wearing my YG Rolex GMT so perhaps can incite him again! Hah...

[MP5]

There are a few in every crowd. Embrace them as they have a miserable life being envious of others. It takes an especially little man to insult someone's profession, especially when just proven he is better at his than you are at yours.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

I am standing there and a well dressed attorney walks by our booth and asks what we offer for services and I go into my schpeel. He stands there nodding his head then goes "Business must be pretty damn good for you!" as a statement, not a question. I say yes, it's petty good. He follows up with, " It must be better than pretty good. "I didn't realize process servers made so much money to afford an AP" (I was wearing my RC) and continued with, "damn, if I had known that I wouldn't have needed to waste three years going to law school when I could have just delivered papers to people."

At this point I realized two things... One, the guy was not going to do business with my company and two, he was a major arrogant ass!

One reason I always wear my Omega to meetings with a first time prospect. Business is hard to come by nowadays, I don;t need my prospects thinking they are going to get slayed with fees....

[2th Dr]

The guy probably really doesn't make enough money to justify buying an AP. Not all lawyers are well off, just like not all dentists, physicians, etc. Probably why he made such a smartass remark.

[ocwatching]

wow...sorry for the unfortunate episode...
did you catch what he had on?

[texex91]

Attorney. Enough said

[iLLGT2]

I'm ashamed to be associated in the same field as that ass.... But, there is always a rotten berry in the bunch, eh? Way to stay classy ;)

[T-Rip]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

I'm ashamed to be associated in the same field as that ass.... But, there is always a rotten berry in the bunch, eh? Way to stay classy ;)

X1

I agree 100%... being an attorney in CA, we use process servers all the time, and like a good para legal we can't live without them.. What a jerk. He must not be very successful to be making ridiculous statements like that, what a jealous idiot.. I give you kudos for not handling it a different way.. god knows I would..// good job and keep up the good work..

[h999r]

I wore my RM watch the other day , and the bank teller told me , thats a nice swatch you wearing :) these are the 2nd time people think its a swatch watch :)

[TSW]

Originally Posted by h999r

I wore my RM watch the other day , and the bank teller told me , thats a nice swatch you wearing :) these are the 2nd time people think its a swatch watch :)

[craniotes]

Everyone just assumes he's wearing a fake.



Regards,
Adam

PS - Jerks come in all shapes and size, don't they? Makes them harder to spot in the wild.

[SubmarinerMariner]

Sorry to hear that...don't let it get to you as it is more a reflection of his insecurities and inadequacies than it is a reflection on you in any way whatsoever. (HEY - at least he recognized the AP - so he WASN'T a total tool!!! )

I've experience many a surprised look from celebrities when I volunteer at Film Festivals, etc...who always do a double take when I'm handing them refreshments with a Patek Philippe on. Some don't let it faze them, others inevitably ask me what I do and how is it that I'm serving refreshments at an event (instead of attending it... )...people are wierd in those ways, but we just can't let it affect us...right?

Keep wearing you AP with pride...HE may not have any class, but at least YOU'VE got taste!!!

[psv]

There are some very small and jealous people in this world. Nothing to break a sweat about.

[psv]

Originally Posted by craniotes

Everyone just assumes he's wearing a fake.



Regards,
Adam

PS - Jerks come in all shapes and size, don't they? Makes them harder to spot in the wild.

Adam's classic mohawk!

[SubmarinerMariner]

Originally Posted by h999r

I wore my RM watch the other day , and the bank teller told me , thats a nice swatch you wearing :) these are the 2nd time people think its a swatch watch :)

Maybe they were saying "that's a Nice watch you're wearing" (notice how if you say it quickly, you could mishear it? )

- Try saying:
- That's a Nice Swatch
- That's a Nice Watch
- Sound similar...

Back in the mid-90's when I was wearing a TT Hublot (before they came out with the Big Bangs), I used to hear the "Nice Swatch" comment...gotta love it!!!

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by h999r

I wore my RM watch the other day , and the bank teller told me , thats a nice swatch you wearing :) these are the 2nd time people think its a swatch watch :)

How about a woman that commented on my "Panera" watch , and if I got it at Panera Bread Co.

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

How about a woman that commented on my "Panera" watch , and if I got it at Panera Bread Co.

[mgent]

Whenever I'm concerned about someone recognizing what watch I'm wearing for business (although not that often), I wear my JLC. Irnoically, it happens to be the most expensive watch I own, but it is also the least recognizable, so only a watch enthusiast would ever notice....

[Lmbeauleap]

Ah heck, consider it a complement. He's obviously miserable and realized what a waste his choices have been. Those conventions can be taxing. Spent a lot of time in a booth myself. There are always a handful of people wandering around with no other purpose than to annoy the vendors.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by illgt2

how about a woman that commented on my "panera" watch , and if i got it at panera bread co.

[h999r]

Originally Posted by SubmarinerMariner

Maybe they were saying "that's a Nice watch you're wearing" (notice how if you say it quickly, you could mishear it? )

- Try saying:
- That's a Nice Swatch
- That's a Nice Watch
- Sound similar...

Back in the mid-90's when I was wearing a TT Hublot (before they came out with the Big Bangs), I used to hear the "Nice Swatch" comment...gotta love it!!!

LOL ,... maybe you're right .

[EdChoi]

Originally Posted by azguy

One reason I always wear my Omega to meetings with a first time prospect. Business is hard to come by nowadays, I don;t need my prospects thinking they are going to get slayed with fees....

Quoted for truth. I wear my Daytona to the office most of the time, as outside of the WIS crowd, the Daytona looks like any other steel timepiece.

[B. Doggy]

That would tick me off just a wee bit....

[///armin]

Haters gonna hate...

[DoxaDavid]

Too good not to be true...

Just after lunch today that same attorney was walking by with a couple of others and I waved hello. He stopped dead, walked over and said " Jesus you have a gold Rolex Submariner too!" (didnt correct him but its a GMT)

I decided to take the high road and began the conversation with telling him I am a watch nut, started collecting years ago with my Doxa's which he knew about because he told me he dove and after 10 minutes blabbing about watches, he goes, " I like you," hands me his card and says "give me an email or call next week and I will hook you up with my firms office manager."

So in effect, my AP and Rolex may have landed me a new client after all. He is still an arrogant guy but after talking with him for a bit, not as bad as I originally would have believed. He was wearing a Mont Blanc and said he had three watches in his collection but stated "none in your league".

So I guess the moral is, if I would have been as big of jerk as he was after his comments, I never would have had the chance to win him over so I am glad for the resulting outcome.

I should write a book someday... Haha!

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by h999r

I wore my RM watch the other day , and the bank teller told me , thats a nice swatch you wearing :) these are the 2nd time people think its a swatch watch :)

It's not a Swatch?? Damn, I always thought it was...

Haha! To funny Heru! You could buy quite a few Swatches for a RM

[Wristmaster]

glad to know how it finally turned out. people can be arrogant and mean at the same time. but you handled it pretty well.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

Too good not to be true...

Just after lunch today that same attorney was walking by with a couple of others and I waved hello. He stopped dead, walked over and said " Jesus you have a gold Rolex Submariner too!" (didnt correct him but its a GMT)

I decided to take the high road and began the conversation with telling him I am a watch nut, started collecting years ago with my Doxa's which he knew about because he told me he dove and after 10 minutes blabbing about watches, he goes, " I like you," hands me his card and says "give me an email or call next week and I will hook you up with my firms office manager."

So in effect, my AP and Rolex may have landed me a new client after all. He is still an arrogant guy but after talking with him for a bit, not as bad as I originally would have believed. He was wearing a Mont Blanc and said he had three watches in his collection but stated "none in your league".

So I guess the moral is, if I would have been as big of jerk as he was after his comments, I never would have had the chance to win him over so I am glad for the resulting outcome.

I should write a book someday... Haha!

Glad it all worked out for the best, David. But I have to say, I leave my YG DD and RG JLC at home when I travel. But that's not because I don't want to wear them, I just find it more convenient to wear one of my multi-zone watches when I travel. Usually, I wear my all black SS GMT-II and take either my GP ww.tc or my Glycine Airman 9.

[DucS2R]

Definitely someone who did waste 3 years in law school. When I am in a "sales" type of situation, and i am a university researcher who has to "sell" my research to funding agencies and industry, I tend to dress down. I wear business casual clothes and an IWC, JLC, or something understated, I put a SS Sub in that category. I would keep my AP or my Lange or my Patek at home until the deal is sealed. It is unusual to find anyone who even sees your watch, let alone knows its value, but I am conservative in business situations.

T

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

Too good not to be true...

Just after lunch today that same attorney was walking by with a couple of others and I waved hello. He stopped dead, walked over and said " Jesus you have a gold Rolex Submariner too!" (didnt correct him but its a GMT)

I decided to take the high road and began the conversation with telling him I am a watch nut, started collecting years ago with my Doxa's which he knew about because he told me he dove and after 10 minutes blabbing about watches, he goes, " I like you," hands me his card and says "give me an email or call next week and I will hook you up with my firms office manager."

So in effect, my AP and Rolex may have landed me a new client after all. He is still an arrogant guy but after talking with him for a bit, not as bad as I originally would have believed. He was wearing a Mont Blanc and said he had three watches in his collection but stated "none in your league".

So I guess the moral is, if I would have been as big of jerk as he was after his comments, I never would have had the chance to win him over so I am glad for the resulting outcome.

I should write a book someday... Haha!

haha good for you sir. I'm glad it all worked out in the end & good luck landing some new business!