Uncomfortable Experience

[racerx]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

What's worse?

The kid's enthusiasm that shook you? Or the opinions here?

By far the opinions here.


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[Yellowfury]

Seems like a normal interaction to me. There are much bigger problems in the world to be worried about.

[racerx]

Originally Posted by gamingdoctor

OP, best wishes for a smooth recovery.

What’s that supposed to mean?


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[racerx]

Originally Posted by Krash

I just can’t imagine the utter horror of this tragic event. It must have been extremely traumatic. He may never recover from this.


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More expert advice…

[enjoythemusic]

...the horror.

The horror.

[racerx]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

...the horror.

The horror.

That all ya got?

[piratfisk]

We've got the gift of hindsight on our side. You're fine. He's fine. Your watch is fine. Was it awkward? Maybe. Maybe he's a kid who sees a shiny thing that he's only ever seen online & doesn't have the social graces of restraint. Did you feel noticed when you wanted to be discreet? Maybe. You've made it this far in life without, presumably, any negative major altercation, so you're doing something right. Had this comment been made in a closed-door party or event, I'm positive we all would've reacted more positively to the young kid's exuberance. I wouldn't let him try it on, but I'd quickly weigh a risk/reward of continuing the conversation if I felt like I had enough situational awareness & security on my side. Let's let it go, huh? It's in the past.

"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality."

This line, from Seneca's Letters to Lucilius, highlights a key Stoic principle: much of our suffering is self-inflicted, as we tend to worry and fear outcomes that may never happen. Seneca advises focusing on the present moment rather than creating additional suffering by allowing our minds to dwell on potential misfortunes.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by racerx

That all ya got?

Friendly humor. C'mon, this thread is soooo first-world 'problems'.

So said with muuuuuch humor........

rolex hurt you.jpeg

[racerx]

.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by racerx

.

Look, if this was 15 or more years ago... odds are the OP's situation would not have happened. Imho, and i could be wrong, society has changed over the years, and the last handful has been VERY generous for horology.

Box and papers, bro..... is a good example.

So the OP's situation in modern life is now more normal public (youth) behavior than it would have been 15 years ago imho. Decade or so ago i'd ride European and American subways wearing a PP 3970er. Not something wise to do today because of obvious changes in society.

Hope this better explains my posts.

[Kowaco]

I always stop people in parking lots and ask them about their Tesla. Everyone has said they loved it and one guy even offered to let me drive it. I declined but thanked him.


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[Cassian739]

You have every right to feel uncomfortable, none of us can tell you how to feel. Question is, did this experience cause you to adjust your wearing habits?

My $0.02, without knowing more, kid was probably somewhere between genuine and being slightly obnoxious on purpose. More attention than you wanted that day, but alas, such is the Rolex life.

Keep Calm and Carry On.

[Krash]

Just some honest feedback here…

A lot of guys on this forum have been to hell and back (myself included). When some folks talk about feeling “uncomfortable” over an encounter with a kid, it just seems insignificant (putting it mildly).


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[dukie748]

Not so long ago it would seem the only people who would recognize a Rolex were enthusiasts or other owners, nowadays the average teen knows about them - on two separate occasions my friends kids have spotted watches I'm wearing and have asked questions - one of them even said 'is that a Pepsi'? He's 12, I was astounded.

We can all thank social media.

[racerx]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

You have every right to feel uncomfortable, none of us can tell you how to feel. Question is, did this experience cause you to adjust your wearing habits?

My $0.02, without knowing more, kid was probably somewhere between genuine and being slightly obnoxious on purpose. More attention than you wanted that day, but alas, such is the Rolex life.

Keep Calm and Carry On.

Hasn’t changed my wearing habits. I wear my watches everyday, no matter what or where I’m going. Only rule I have is not wearing them doing yard work.

[anodyne13]

From what I can deduce in Los Angeles, there is no interaction prior to you getting robbed at a restaurant often someone will tip them off whether it be valet or worker waiter

[1259]

Sounds like a life and death experience!

[Yobber76]

I have younger TSA agents comment on my watches, as I go thru Xray check. Always pleasant talk, they usually tell me what they want to own.
Usually ends quickly as they have other things to do

[CaptT]

This thread reminds me of the "lion" scene on "The Other Guys".....

"Did that go the way you thought it was gonna go? Nope.". 🤣

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Yobber76

I have younger TSA agents comment on my watches....

Great example!

[Ruud Van Driver]

It's hard to comment without being there to read the room.

If that happened to me here in the UK, I'd like to think I'd have said thanks and carried on walking. If he'd followed my wife or me out of the restaurant in any shape or form, my response might have been quite different.

Thing is, over here there's been a spate of thefts of high end watches and the individuals involved are known as 'Rolex Rippers'. It was a big thing on the BBC earlier this year, or possibly the back of last year, I forget exactly. The article was quite detailed in that organised gangs send scouts into restaurants, bars, etc. to identify their targets and the unfortunate souls are subsequently threatened when they leave the establishment with knives or unmentionables and their watches forcefully taken. The worst area by far was London, but such crime was spreading across the UK, albeit nowhere near as bad. I haven't seen anything about such crime in the news for quite a while as there's far more urgent matters going on around the world at this time.

As I've alluded to above, it's very easy to say 'just do this', 'just do that', whatever. Apart from being overly friendly or downright obnoxious, there's no right or wrong answer here unless it happens to you and you're there to read the room.

In general terms, I wear my watches when and where I want. If I'm unfortunate enough to have to go to London, I either wear long sleeves and keep it covered or stick to my Apple Watch and leave the good ones home. I'm reasonably cautious but it doesn't keep me awake at night.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Kids have terrible filters and often don't understand the nuances of complimenting people on expensive stuff.

I'm in my 80's and still compliment nice watches in public. Must be a watch guy thing.

Originally Posted by racerx

Quite the expert for not having been there.

Oh, I forgot to mention that my father helped to liberate France in WW2 and also lived to tell about it. Hope that’s not considered bellyaching.

I helped to liberate...

Nevermind, it's not important. What is important is context. You were wearing a nice watch in public, not carrying ICBM launch codes across hostile lands, when an enthusiast gave you a compliment. If anyone was going to rob you it would not have made any difference if you were cordial with the lad who complimented your watch. That die was cast, being nice to the kid would have been the stand up thing to do.

[PO.Victory]

How do you think you'll handle a similar situation in the future?

[JSCP]

Just say thank you , and sorry bud I need to join my wife…..

[GGGMT]

Oh for heavens sakes.


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[Bill2e]

Relax.

No one cares about your watch, but another watch guy. Of course or a thief, but considering you were in a nice restaurant it’s probably another watch guy.

If you feel that uncomfortable sell your Rolex and buy an Apple Watch.

[worldfamoussam]

This comes with the territory of owning something recognizable that many people covet or admire. Every situation is different and you have to read the situation in the moment. My feeling is that if you don't have any good reason to imagine any sort of danger to you, the answer is to be gracious in a way that will end the conversation quickly if that's what you desire. If someone asks about details or price, you can always say "it was a gift - I really enjoy it, have a lovely dinner and thanks for saying hi!" YMMV

[jaydav2306]

In reality he may have well just said "nice mass produced timepiece bro"

[rjd1]

99% of my experiences in public with people pointing out my watch and asking about it have been very positive - but i guess you can’t be too careful now days.

[Brian Page]

If it has that effect on you you shouldn't wear it

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