"So how much did that set you back m8?"
Discussion
Loose_Cannon said:
The Esprit was a massive purchase, second only to the house and only eclipsed recently in the sharp-intake-of-breath category.
Never mind total strangers, I learned that when owning a frivolous/expensive car your own family can start treating you differently and offering unsolicited opinions and questions.
In our case many appeared concerned that the toddlers would be home alone eating cola cubes and micro chips whilst we swanned about in our selfish 2 seater. The occasional bit of pocket money from parents stopped, as did much assistance with family holidays and babysitting.
It was only after a few years of the children being whisked about in leather-lined Volvo safety with occasional trips to Disneyland that we were downgraded as "parents from hell" and people asked about the Lotus in a nice way. Bizarre, and this is from people who allegedly know you well.
I know what you mean about this. For years, I've been a fan of aged luxo-barges (the kind of motors that were £70k when new, worth about £5k now). With a strategically applied non-dated numberplate, and a spit and polish you can see your face in, my cars would often look very expensive indeed.Never mind total strangers, I learned that when owning a frivolous/expensive car your own family can start treating you differently and offering unsolicited opinions and questions.
In our case many appeared concerned that the toddlers would be home alone eating cola cubes and micro chips whilst we swanned about in our selfish 2 seater. The occasional bit of pocket money from parents stopped, as did much assistance with family holidays and babysitting.
It was only after a few years of the children being whisked about in leather-lined Volvo safety with occasional trips to Disneyland that we were downgraded as "parents from hell" and people asked about the Lotus in a nice way. Bizarre, and this is from people who allegedly know you well.
I've had allsorts from family and close friends, from "flash git", to "someone's paying you too much" and everything in between.
Invariably, these people will be knocking around in anonymous hatchbacks they paid two or three times what my car cost.
Countdown said:
johnwilliams77 said:
You psychological geniuses have nailed it! We are all
Insecure. Tada!
Not really. I just don't understand the point of being secretive. Insecure. Tada!
Q. “What did that cost you, mate?”
A. “It was just over £XXk, I paid a bit more than average because it’s got FSH/Alloys/Pet tiger/whatever”
Why make things complicated?
Q. "is it raining outside mate?"
A. "Why? Are you thinking of going outside?
A. "I could tell you but I'd have to kill you"
A. "Well, it's somewhere between snow blizzards and the sahara"
Someone with an actual interest in said item is a different kettle of fish, but "wot did it cost m8" seems to the second question on everyone's lips about everything today be it my tv/hifi/van/tools/tickets/holiday etc. I'd never ask the cost of something I'm not considering owning as its of no relevence, so struggle to see why it matters to other people. Maybe I'm just a bit of a hippy or something, obsessing over money is the norm.
hairyben said:
Its generally considered quite uncouth/impolite. It can be a very intimidating question to ask, especially so from someone with no real interest in the item as the price itself is meaningless except as some kind of hackeyed judgement about the owners fiscal worth. Personally, I dont much care for people using assets to define me and I especially dont like being interogated so that they can do so. Google it if it matters that much to you.
Someone with an actual interest in said item is a different kettle of fish, but "wot did it cost m8" seems to the second question on everyone's lips about everything today be it my tv/hifi/van/tools/tickets/holiday etc. I'd never ask the cost of something I'm not considering owning as its of no relevence, so struggle to see why it matters to other people. Maybe I'm just a bit of a hippy or something, obsessing over money is the norm.
Uncouth/impolite maybe, but "intimidating"....? I've genuinely no idea how or why somebody would be intimidated by that type of question Someone with an actual interest in said item is a different kettle of fish, but "wot did it cost m8" seems to the second question on everyone's lips about everything today be it my tv/hifi/van/tools/tickets/holiday etc. I'd never ask the cost of something I'm not considering owning as its of no relevence, so struggle to see why it matters to other people. Maybe I'm just a bit of a hippy or something, obsessing over money is the norm.
As I mentioned above, it's a simple/straightforward answer. In a way it's a compliment, even if it might be motivated by envy or jealousy. And people will "judge" you regardless of whether or not you answer...in fact they're more likely to judge you negatively if they get a smart alec response.
Countdown said:
Uncouth/impolite maybe, but "intimidating"....? I've genuinely no idea how or why somebody would be intimidated by that type of question
As I mentioned above, it's a simple/straightforward answer. In a way it's a compliment, even if it might be motivated by envy or jealousy. And people will "judge" you regardless of whether or not you answer...in fact they're more likely to judge you negatively if they get a smart alec response.
hairyben said that it *can be* intimidating. Anything can be intimidating, even "hello" if accompanied by a leer. And some men consider "nice tits" to be a compliment to a girl, but it's rarely meant that way or received as such. It's all down to context and how it is said at the time. As I mentioned above, it's a simple/straightforward answer. In a way it's a compliment, even if it might be motivated by envy or jealousy. And people will "judge" you regardless of whether or not you answer...in fact they're more likely to judge you negatively if they get a smart alec response.
It's all very easy to judge from behind your keyboard, but out in the real world things are always more nuanced.
Generally found the people that ask that sort of question are happy to answer a similar question if they were asked, therefore see no problem asking.
Similarly if you don't like answering such question yourself, you'd not ask another person.
My issue with this sort of thing has always been when people give a vague answer like 'enough', or 'a lot' to then get pressed for a monetary amount.
Don't think this just applies with cars but also things like house, holiday or weddings.
That said do feel there are people who ask the question completely innocently, to strike up a conversation.
Similarly if you don't like answering such question yourself, you'd not ask another person.
My issue with this sort of thing has always been when people give a vague answer like 'enough', or 'a lot' to then get pressed for a monetary amount.
Don't think this just applies with cars but also things like house, holiday or weddings.
That said do feel there are people who ask the question completely innocently, to strike up a conversation.
Countdown said:
Uncouth/impolite maybe, but "intimidating"....? I've genuinely no idea how or why somebody would be intimidated by that type of question
As I mentioned above, it's a simple/straightforward answer. In a way it's a compliment, even if it might be motivated by envy or jealousy. And people will "judge" you regardless of whether or not you answer...in fact they're more likely to judge you negatively if they get a smart alec response.
Asking a question that is impolite is intimidating in and of itself, the question of purchase price might not bother the one being asked but the impoliteness can imply a threat or power play. Interaction is not a simplistic thing.As I mentioned above, it's a simple/straightforward answer. In a way it's a compliment, even if it might be motivated by envy or jealousy. And people will "judge" you regardless of whether or not you answer...in fact they're more likely to judge you negatively if they get a smart alec response.
I think most people who spend more than necessary/"usual" on nice stuff have a lot of personal reasons for doing so, and often are fully aware they got what on the surface is a pretty poor deal in the likely more simplistic VFM terms someone without the particular interest would probably apply, to be asked "wot did u spend on it" (and often very little else ) implies a summarising by said figure which is an injustice.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff