"Is that real, mate?"

[frank bullit]

Good afternoon chaps & chapesses!
My eyesight isn't brilliant these days (30 years of technical illustration has taken it's toll) so when a new lad turned up in the office today sporting what appeared to be a WG or Platinum DD. The old antennae twiched slightly. A 20 year old wearing a £25,000 watch, boy, that's some graduation gift!
My eyes being slightly dodgy I knew I had to ask 'The Question'.

What IS the best way to ask without offending the wearer?
I know I always 'bristle' a bit when I'm asked.

So, I said, "somebody loves you, can I have a look?"
As soon as I heard the cheap rustle of the bracelet I knew.
It was as light as a feather and had a see-through back showing a quartz movement! Visually it was quite good, and the young lad, bless him, said "My Dad brought it back from Dubai for me, I don't know if it's real."
"Very nice" I said, "He's a good Dad."
That's when he said it, "Is THAT real, mate?"

What do YOU say when asked, and how do you ask 'The Question'
Regards. FB.

ps. Titanium Rolex! What a daft idea, whoever thought that one up?