"So how much did that set you back m8?"

"So how much did that set you back m8?"

Author
Discussion

Loose_Cannon

Original Poster:

1,593 posts

252 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
Genuine question. How do you politely bat away questions like the above about your pride and joy?

The obvious answer is "mind your own business" of course, but generally most enquirers seem to be;
a) genuinely interested
b) looking to start a conversation and don't know how
c) just oblivious to the tactless and irritating nature of their approach.

It IS starting to irritate me though, especially as we are having a few jobs done around the house and consequently having to fling our doors open to seemingly all and sundry, from delivery guys to nosey neighbours just having a neb while the opportunity strikes. It's not like they are going to rush out and get one with this new found information, more like they are making a value judgement about the car and you.

There are also some less than polite people. My friends would think twice about asking, what makes total strangers think you should divulge your worldy affairs? I feel like responding by asking their salary or if their wife is good in the sack. But the conversation would obviously then degenerate and I can't be arsed.

So what would you/do you say?


Edited by Loose_Cannon on Tuesday 25th July 14:55

Pints

18,444 posts

193 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
"Enough."

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
I normally steer the conversation to the running costs, which are much more embarrasing laugh

normalbloke

7,401 posts

218 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
I remind them, that when I was a lad, it was always' what'll it do mister?'

KungFuPanda

4,324 posts

169 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
I never ask people how much they paid for things. I think it's quite rude. As another poster has said, if I'm asked, I reply "enough".

George Smiley

5,048 posts

80 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
I tell them. And if its a trade i continue by saying I save a fortune on work thats not carried out to good stsndard on time.

SkrrSkrr

261 posts

88 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
"An arm and a leg" "not that much "can't remember" "A pretty penny" "if I tell you i'll have to kill you"



Edited by SkrrSkrr on Tuesday 25th July 15:08

hondansx

4,562 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
"More than i'd admit to the wife"

Loose_Cannon

Original Poster:

1,593 posts

252 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
normalbloke said:
I remind them, that when I was a lad, it was always' what'll it do mister?'
I've had the car for yonks, and that kind of question used to be the opener. I think you have hit a nerve here, as a society increasingly obsessed with status its now about perceived values.

Loose_Cannon

Original Poster:

1,593 posts

252 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
Oh yes and the best bit offered by at least two Sherlocks when swatted back; "Oh it doesn't matter I'll look on Autortrader when I get in".

Why does it matter so much FFS?

DonkeyApple

54,932 posts

168 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
Just say it's not yours. It's very simple. I just tell people I'm the delivery driver.

I tend to find such questions highly offensive and politely claiming not to be the owner seems to do the trick.

And it's not uncommon for them to then pass some remark about the owner obviously being a to which I agree and carry on moving away.

andrewparker

7,903 posts

186 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
My wife's side of the family are absolutely terrible for this. Doesn't matter what it is, they'll ask how much it cost. New pair of trainers, how much? Pint of milk, how much? Frustratingly when they talk about other people they know, or friends of theirs, it's always "so-and-so paid this much for their holiday", or "so-and-so's new car cost x". There are times when I'm sure they could write down a families household outgoings of the top of their head. They're totally dominated by how much stuff costs, and how much money other people are spending.

Pie-n-Peys

172 posts

117 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
I get this question a lot... but its about my dog.

when i'm out walking him I quite regularly get people asking how much he cost. I always find it a bit rude.

I just say "enough..."

dannyDC2

7,543 posts

167 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
No matter what you say they've got the next dumbass comment lined up.

"My mate got one for X"


OK

rich12

3,461 posts

153 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
"More than you can afford pal"

CS Garth

2,860 posts

104 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
Price of everything, value of nothing

VetteEd

44 posts

91 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
I think people just don't realise what they say sometimes; like "see your just back from holiday"...." been anywhere nice". People are probably interested but don't think through how to break the ice. I still get total strangers coming up to me and say "bet you don't many miles to gallon in that" Now why would I buy a 6.2L V8 if I was worried about gas mileage?

Probably the best answer would be "why are you thinking of buying one"?

LeoZwalf

2,802 posts

229 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
"Ohhh wow flash sporty car, Leo!"

"It cost two thousand euro and is 25 years old."

//their head explodes//

It is a mk1 MX5 and I'm in NL where cars cost a lot. Lots of people cannot comprehend that you can buy such a car for so little.

thatdude

2,654 posts

126 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
"that thing? it's a bit of a shed, got it for £600. doesnt run right, cant work out why at the moment"

People who know me I dnt mind talking about things truthfully. People I dont know I lie to. fk off mate, it's none of your business.

rayyan171

1,294 posts

92 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
Materialistic world smash