It Happened Again! Or: "Why do People do this!?"

[TheVTCGuy]

I must have a sign on my forehead that says: "If you're a Moron, please come talk to me" So here's the situation: I'm at a party over the weekend, and join in a conversation with a couple guys I've just met about football... cars, women, usual guy stuff. I notice one of them is wearing a Sea-Dweller. During a lull, I ask him how he likes it. A huge smile comes over his face and he tells me how much he adores his watch, that he dives with it quite often, other watches could not hold up to the punishment, he was considering getting a deepsea, he looked at my Daytona and we kind of separated ourselves from the group and started talking Rolex WIS stuff. It was a very enjoyable conversation.

UP WALKS CAPTAIN IDIOT. He had overheard us discussing Rolex and decided to join in, with an agenda. "Let me ask you guys with Rolexs something, how much did they cost? Several thousand dollars?" The other WIS and I looked at each other quizzicly, but probably nodded some kind of aproval. Captain Idiot shows us his wrist and exclaims: "Well my Timex only cost $29 dollars, and it has an alarm, stopwatch, and is more accurate then your Rolex! The other WIS and I roll our eyes at each other, mutter something like: "That's nice" and try to turn away to continue our conversation. This guy is persistant, shoving his wrist in our face saying: "Tell me my watch doesn't do more then yours, and I only paid $29 dollars for it... go ahead tell me... blah blah blah" The other WIS and I forcefully walked by this guy to show we weren't interested in this conversation and went outside to continue are talk.

My question is WHY?, WHY do some people feel it necessary to chastise me for my timepiece selection? I NEVER demean, criticize, put down, ANYONE'S choice of watches, (even if it's the ugliest thing I've ever seen). If the subject of someone's else's watch comes up I ALWAYS compliment them on it, even just to say: "That's a nice looking watch" or something similar. If someone is proud of their $29 Timex, (as they should be), and they'd like to show it off, I give the courtesy of listening, and always, ALWAYS compliment them, no matter what make/model/price the watch is. I RESPECT thier decision to pay $29 for their watch, WHY can't they RESPECT my decision to spend a lot more on a Rolex? They don't have to agree with it, understand it, like it, but WHY do some people feel the need to chastise me about my choice? Has this ever happened to anyone else or do I have some special kind of attraction for these people?

OK, Rant over....

[deserted]

Rolex watches do bring out the conversation in pepole .....it has happended to me several times even with some clients i represent.

[BigHat]

For every guy that says things like that, ten are thinking it.


The rationale for his behavior (aside from being obxious about it) is quite obvious and common. Some people buy watches simply to tell time and a dollar spend doing anything more than that is a dollar wasted in their view. Of course, everyone has some hobby, which by definition is money spend that need not be. He just doesn't share yours. Some reason people buy Honda Accords to get back and forth to work while others buy Porches.

Just buy what what you like. You'll be disappointed if you require the approval of others.

[cody p]

you have something nice/unusual/desireable. said fellow doesn't and feels envious. he tries to bring you down a notch while raising himself up by pointing out how foolish you are and how wise he is. why human nature?

nb - i would have been half interested if he was at least wearing a casio:)

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by cody p

you have something nice/unusual/desireable. said fellow doesn't and feels envious. he tries to bring you down a notch while raising himself up by pointing out how foolish you are and how wise he is. why human nature?

nb - i would have been half interested if he was at least wearing a casio:)

Cody,
I think you hit on the obvious point and I missed it. To ACTUALLY initiate an undesired debate on the issue means he probably has thought about it, talked himself out of buying one, and is just coping by challenging a stranger about a personal decision on what one should buy.

[ROLEX MAN]

I had the same experience happen to me a few days ago,

only this one was a hong kong folex special for $25.00, and this guy went on and on and on how all these "Rolex's" were made in china nowadays anyway.

He made me feel like a schmuck to spend so much on a watch.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by cody p

you have something nice/unusual/desireable. said fellow doesn't and feels envious. he tries to bring you down a notch while raising himself up by pointing out how foolish you are and how wise he is. why human nature?

nb - i would have been half interested if he was at least wearing a casio:)

You know Cody, that's exactly the train of thought I was conjuring up... but couldn't put in to words. Thanks, this is the conclusion I was working on.... Glad one of us is smart enough to express it clearly Cody!

[rolexgiants]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I must have a sign on my forehead that says: "If you're a Moron, please come talk to me" So here's the situation: I'm at a party over the weekend, and join in a conversation with a couple guys I've just met about football... cars, women, usual guy stuff. I notice one of them is wearing a Sea-Dweller. During a lull, I ask him how he likes it. A huge smile comes over his face and he tells me how much he adores his watch, that he dives with it quite often, other watches could not hold up to the punishment, he was considering getting a deepsea, he looked at my Daytona and we kind of separated ourselves from the group and started talking Rolex WIS stuff. It was a very enjoyable conversation.

UP WALKS CAPTAIN IDIOT. He had overheard us discussing Rolex and decided to join in, with an agenda. "Let me ask you guys with Rolexs something, how much did they cost? Several thousand dollars?" The other WIS and I looked at each other quizzicly, but probably nodded some kind of aproval. Captain Idiot shows us his wrist and exclaims: "Well my Timex only cost $29 dollars, and it has an alarm, stopwatch, and is more accurate then your Rolex! The other WIS and I roll our eyes at each other, mutter something like: "That's nice" and try to turn away to continue our conversation. This guy is persistant, shoving his wrist in our face saying: "Tell me my watch doesn't do more then yours, and I only paid $29 dollars for it... go ahead tell me... blah blah blah" The other WIS and I forcefully walked by this guy to show we weren't interested in this conversation and went outside to continue are talk.

My question is WHY?, WHY do some people feel it necessary to chastise me for my timepiece selection? I NEVER demean, criticize, put down, ANYONE'S choice of watches, (even if it's the ugliest thing I've ever seen). If the subject of someone's else's watch comes up I ALWAYS compliment them on it, even just to say: "That's a nice looking watch" or something similar. If someone is proud of their $29 Timex, (as they should be), and they'd like to show it off, I give the courtesy of listening, and always, ALWAYS compliment them, no matter what make/model/price the watch is. I RESPECT thier decision to pay $29 for their watch, WHY can't they RESPECT my decision to spend a lot more on a Rolex? They don't have to agree with it, understand it, like it, but WHY do some people feel the need to chastise me about my choice? Has this ever happened to anyone else or do I have some special kind of attraction for these people?

OK, Rant over....

i would have laughed... who cares what other people think about anything.... more importantly.... what a huge win by the giants on sunday night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ELI with another late drive.......

[Lol-x]

I really have little time for people who do not respect what watch I choose to wear.
I had a similar experience recently, I told him his Swatch was a great looking gay watch! He didn't like that, but at least I felt good

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I must have a sign on my forehead that says: "If you're a Moron, please come talk to me" So here's the situation: I'm at a party over the weekend, and join in a conversation with a couple guys I've just met about football... cars, women, usual guy stuff. I notice one of them is wearing a Sea-Dweller. During a lull, I ask him how he likes it. A huge smile comes over his face and he tells me how much he adores his watch, that he dives with it quite often, other watches could not hold up to the punishment, he was considering getting a deepsea, he looked at my Daytona and we kind of separated ourselves from the group and started talking Rolex WIS stuff. It was a very enjoyable conversation.

UP WALKS CAPTAIN IDIOT. He had overheard us discussing Rolex and decided to join in, with an agenda. "Let me ask you guys with Rolexs something, how much did they cost? Several thousand dollars?" The other WIS and I looked at each other quizzicly, but probably nodded some kind of aproval. Captain Idiot shows us his wrist and exclaims: "Well my Timex only cost $29 dollars, and it has an alarm, stopwatch, and is more accurate then your Rolex! The other WIS and I roll our eyes at each other, mutter something like: "That's nice" and try to turn away to continue our conversation. This guy is persistant, shoving his wrist in our face saying: "Tell me my watch doesn't do more then yours, and I only paid $29 dollars for it... go ahead tell me... blah blah blah" The other WIS and I forcefully walked by this guy to show we weren't interested in this conversation and went outside to continue are talk.

My question is WHY?, WHY do some people feel it necessary to chastise me for my timepiece selection? I NEVER demean, criticize, put down, ANYONE'S choice of watches, (even if it's the ugliest thing I've ever seen). If the subject of someone's else's watch comes up I ALWAYS compliment them on it, even just to say: "That's a nice looking watch" or something similar. If someone is proud of their $29 Timex, (as they should be), and they'd like to show it off, I give the courtesy of listening, and always, ALWAYS compliment them, no matter what make/model/price the watch is. I RESPECT thier decision to pay $29 for their watch, WHY can't they RESPECT my decision to spend a lot more on a Rolex? They don't have to agree with it, understand it, like it, but WHY do some people feel the need to chastise me about my choice? Has this ever happened to anyone else or do I have some special kind of attraction for these people?

OK, Rant over....

Public places and WISs that will NEVER learn !
"tamale" !
And lets not mince words, you paid in the neighborhood of 10 grand for the DAYTONA, so spell it out and dont be shy; at least a, "yea, I paid about ten thousand dollars for it and it is worth waaay more than your silly TIMEX, (and) shouldnt you be washing dishes in the back ! "

[ducatidoc]

...never has, never will, and can't stand the fact that you do. Pity. But then, if everybody was able to appreciate and afford a luxury watch, they wouldn't be luxurious any more. So, in a sense, we need people like that idiot, and we should encourage him to spawn more like him. We'll keep The Secret to ourselves.

[icnbne]

hahaha

its like a 9 year old kid asking why people spend tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in paintings when they can get a movie poster for $5..
I personally ain't in to art, but I would respect their reasons of buying, and would at the very least compliment it (even if its a white lie)..
(this is based on my dad... a huge art nut..)

same goes for watches, same goes for cars, same goes for homes etc etc.
they are just arrogant if not jealous people..

[OneArmMan]

Frankly IMO this gentleman is 100 percent correct. I certainly would never buy a Rolex to tell the time (that is if I want accuracy), nor would I buy a Rolex if I was looking at the purchase from a cost-effectiveness standpoint. Regarding complications a Rolex pales in comparison to many Timex's. Essentially if you compare a current Timex with any Rolex in terms of "performance" a Rolex looks pitiful on paper.
In today's world the time is everywhere you look, in fact it is always in the upper right corner of my Mac. I wear a Rolex simply because it is the only piece of "jewelry" that appeals to me.
The understanding that I have a "Micro-Machine" on my wrist with all those little wheels, springs, and other assorted mechanical gizmos spinning around inside there is what makes this piece of "jewelry" appeal to me. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a gold chain on my neck or some tacky ring on my hand. Now put a Rolex on my wrist and I have one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry you can own. The watch can be seen from 20-30 feet away yet it looks tasteful. And the best part is that every once in awhile I remember that I can see what time it is by using my Rolex.
I always tell anyone who is getting married to give the wife a Rolex instead of a diamond ring. If not for De Beers and their brilliant marketing strategy at the turn of the 20'th century everyone may be giving each other a Rolex when getting married. "This watch is to show that I will be with you till the end of time" or some other marketing strategy could have put a Rolex on every married woman's wrist!

[The GMT Master]

"Where did you get your Rolex? Leaders in all walks of life acknowledge that pride of Rolex ownership starts conversations...makes strangers friends and distinguishes each as a person of taste and judgment. This is to be expected...for discriminating leaders throughout the world depend upon Rolex to guard their precious time." –Bob Hope

As posted on Jake's Rolex Blog, that kind of sums up Rolex ownership - we're all part of a club, so to speak, and it is a great conversation starter. Clearly Paul experienced this before it got ruined by Mr Rolex-hater. I get exactly the same thing with people who own fake Rolexes, and I think it's purely down to reverse snobbery and a lack of appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into a luxury watch. All you can do is smile, nod your head and move on, as Paul did. Any true WIS will not go out of their way to denigrate another person's watch, and treat others' watches with the same respect they pay to their own watch. It's just a shame that some people don't play by the same rules and try to belittle you.

[Wink]

Well put, Cody. The jerk simply wanted to feel better about himself. A Timex is probably all he can afford, and he resents that you can spend the price of a good used car for a watch. Some people can only build themselves up by seeking to tear others down. He likely has a pattern of such behaviors. Pity the fool.

Best,
Wink

[c2tcardin]

If you don't get it, then you just don't get it. That's all I would have said.

[redshirt1957]

Watches? Cars? Hobbies? Hell, I have spent more money on women than everthing else added together. My point? Ain't like I am one to give advice on how folks should spend their money.

[RedBaronF2001]

I get the "is it real" and "how much did you pay for it" quite often and I just respond with "I bought it on the street corner for $25" - that shuts 'em up real quick.

[novae500]

Why do geeks spend $3k or more for laptops? $5k and up for desktops for gaming? Cause thats their vice. But for watch lovers like us, we tend to splurge on watches. Watches and guns are my vice, besides chips/pizza.

My dd driver is my 10yr old civic si, while i keep my nicer ride in the garage.

[TempoKing]

Your answer is.... Jealousy

[BahnNZ]

It's rather like going up to someone with a Lamborghini or a Ferrari and saying "My Mini Cooper gets way better mileage! Why did you waste all your money on that then?"

Rather than what you should do which is appreciate a fine automobile.

[sexner]

WHY do some people feel the need to chastise me about my choice? Has this ever happened to anyone else or do I have some special kind of attraction for these people?

Good question.

I have NEVER cared enough about other people to even begin to try and figure them out or care one iota about what they think of me. I don't think you have an attraction to these people, Paul - it just happens sometimes.

Let the idiots rant then carry-on being secure and happy with who you are and your accomplishments.

[bodybump]

I think you are on a mission paul!!! i think you havent seen the worst yet...hahahahah maybe one of this days somebody will tell you "I can tell the time by watching the Sun!!!"

[JPersat]

I dont know why it happens, but my dad does that same thing about his Timex to me all the time.

[rkammer]

My best friend (for over 45 years) is a perfect example of a non-WIS. He has one watch he wears and it's an off brand dive watch. He loves it because it has a little button on the side that lights the dial so he can tell the time when he wakes up at night. He even loves it so much that he bought a second one for when this one gives up the ghost.

Point being that he, like most people, only wears a watch to tell time and cares not a twit for the jewelry or the mechanical wizardry aspects of a watch.

Then, there's the semi-WIS who does desire a watch that looks neat or makes a statement. The department stores are full of watches for these people.

If one has to ask "why do you spend umpty ump thousands of dollars for a watch", He won't appreciate whatever answer you give him. You were so right in just walking away.

[shandy]

I bet if you were in the washroom doing what comes naturally in a washroom and this guy glanced and yours and noticed it was bigger he would still argue his was in fact bigger and it was all an optical illusion

There are some people in this world that go through it seeing it only black and white, they have no idea there are a multitude of colours to enjoy in between, sounds like he is one of them, I think you handled it the right way, you knew you were not going to convince him, in fact there is no need to convince anyone...This is another reason why I attend very few parties, Just can't stand those types!

[Launch Mini]

Happens to me occassionally.
My brother in law is an example. Similar comments that his $30 watch does this & that.
I never commented about his $80,000 Grady-White fishing boat ( by the way, he has not caught one fish this summer)

[daveathall]

You should have asked him for a look at his watch, and thrown it straight out of the window, then, calmly took $29 out of your wallet and given it to him, you should then have held your wrist out to him and said "Go ahead punk, make my bank managers day"

[DadsWatch72]

You should have told him, for the money he spent on his watch, he could have bought an extra link for your bracelet (used of course).

[Rolesor]

You should have asked him what kind of car he drives then just lie and say "mine was 5 grand cheaper than yours, it still gets me from point "A" to point "B".. So I celebrated by buying this watch" lol