Do you consider the question 'how much?' rude?

[vastano]

Nothing grinds my gears more than for people to ask how much I pay for something. It's one thing if its a friend, but at cars and coffee I had a random guy walk up to me and the first thing he says is "How much were your wheels?" I replied with 'a lot'. I also see this asked on the forums quite a bit. In my opinion, its a very rude thing to ask. If you really wanna know how much something costs, look it up or PM a vendor. (steps off soapbox)

What do you guys think?

[Billup]

I typically don't care. If its someone I don't know, I will just lie and over exaggerate the cost of everything to make me feel richer.

They won't know the difference.

It does get annoying, so to make it fun, just bend the truth and see how far you can take it.

and if all else fails, just use this line. "More than you can afford, pal. Ferrari."

[TX_M3]

It really depends on the way you take it. I understand if you find it awkward if someone random ask you in person. But on the forums, not really. The board here is to share information with one another, espcially with a similar topic. He maybe asking how much, because he really likes it and wonders if he can afford it. Just my .02 cents

[KingOfJericho]

In American culture it is considered rude. In others it is a normal question. In my wife's native country it is completely normal.

My canned response is always "enough"... it's a dumb answer to a dumb question.

[Seminole]

Nope, just you.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by vastano

Nothing grinds my gears more than for people to ask how much I pay for something. It's one thing if its a friend, but at cars and coffee I had a random guy walk up to me and the first thing he says is "How much were your wheels?" I replied with 'alot'. I also see this asked on the forums quite a bit. In my opinion, its a very rude thing to ask. If you really wanna know how much something costs, look it up or PM a vendor. (steps off soapbox)

What do you guys think?

So how much did you pay for your wheels?

[vastano]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

So how much did you pay for your wheels?

saw this coming... $15,124 apiece, not including tires. Carbon fiber with Titanium shell.

[sanf]

the "how much ?" is fine. The questions like "it's your loans, car, house etc. paid off?", those might hit the rude category.

[koreez88]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

In American culture it is considered rude. In others it is a normal question. In my wife's native country it is completely normal.

My canned response is always "enough"... it's a dumb answer to a dumb question.

Americans are overly sensitive people in general.

Try traveling to England and you will take offence to every word people say.

[Whostheboss]

I don't think it's rude. I always answer honestly.

Are you White/Caucasian? (I'm not being racist)
But if you are, i noticed a lot of White/Caucasians do that. They will never tell you their financial or political information.

This video justifies my statement.... (watch just the first 2minutes)

[kits135i]

Originally Posted by vastano

Nothing grinds my gears more than for people to ask how much I pay for something. It's one thing if its a friend, but at cars and coffee I had a random guy walk up to me and the first thing he says is "How much were your wheels?" I replied with 'alot'. I also see this asked on the forums quite a bit. In my opinion, its a very rude thing to ask. If you really wanna know how much something costs, look it up or PM a vendor. (steps off soapbox)

What do you guys think?

Yes that does grind my gears a little bit. However, what grinds my gears even more is people who cannot spell A LOT properly!

[vastano]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

Are you White/Caucasian? (I'm not being racist)
But if you are, i noticed a lot of White/Caucasians do that. They will never tell you their financial or political information.

Yep, I am a white.

Originally Posted by kits135i

Yes that does grind my gears a little bit. However, what grinds my gears even more is people who cannot spell A LOT properly!

lol, fixed. I didn't pay attention to the spell checker.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by koreez88

Americans are overly sensitive people in general.

Try traveling to England and you will take offence to every word people say.

I've traveled quite extensively, including to England, and never took offense to anything other than incorrect generalizations regarding Americans and how we feel.

Walking into the nice apartment of a stranger and asking how much it cost them makes you look like a fucking asshole. Finances are pretty personal information. Would you ask a bikini-clad woman on the beach what her bra size is? It has nothing to do with being American, it has to do with being classless.

[koreez88]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I've traveled quite extensively, including to England, and never took offense to anything other than incorrect generalizations regarding Americans and how we feel.

Walking into the nice apartment of a stranger and asking how much it cost them makes you look like a fucking asshole. Finances are pretty personal information. Would you ask a bikini-clad woman on the beach what her bra size is? It has nothing to do with being American, it has to do with being classless.

I've been asked how much my car was, my condo was, my wheels were, etc. all those questions were answered with numbers. With no offense taken.


So far my generalization seems correct.

[KingOfJericho]

I've been asked and have answered with numbers as well but it doesn't change the fact that I think it's a classless question.

I should also add that there is a rude way and a non-rude way to ask this. When I had my Lotus, I took no offense when someone would ask "what does one of these go for?". That's a pretty normal question and is fairly public information - I'm just saving them the trip. If someone walks into my house and asks "what did you pay for this place?", I think that's a bit different and somewhat classless.

[carve]

Originally Posted by vastano

In my opinion, its a very rude thing to ask. What do you guys think?

Why do you think it's a rude thing to ask? I think it's interesting information.

[kevinbahnz]

Big ticket items yes. But I like to exaggerate the price lower because I don't want them replying with "you coulda got that for lower"

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I've been asked and have answered with numbers as well but it doesn't change the fact that I think it's a classless question.

I should also add that there is a rude way and a non-rude way to ask this. When I had my Lotus, I took no offense when someone would ask "what does one of these go for?". That's a pretty normal question and is fairly public information - I'm just saving them the trip. If someone walks into my house and asks "what did you pay for this place?", I think that's a bit different and somewhat classless.

Especially when we can go on to property appraiser and see what you paid for it. And the layout, and what the person before you paid for it, and what your paying in taxes, etc....

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by vastano

saw this coming... $15,124 apiece, not including tires. Carbon fiber with Titanium shell.

I know you did.

I always answer with lower than normal prices too. Like i'm a tight ass mofo. Don't want anyone asking for a loan or something!

Like if i were OP; i would have said i bought my wheels used from a guy getting a divorce and needed cash. Paid $100 a wheel!

In fact, all my suspension, exhaust, trunk lid, etc... all was used for super cheap. Only have $1200 in mods on my car.

This also helps reduce the stigma of only pricks driving BMWs.

Now that i think about, it i tend to answer any question about my car the opposite way i think the typical BMW driver would.

[Colt]

Doesn't really bother me, humans are just naturally a curious species. If someone asks me how much I paid for something it's usually because they like what they see and are just overall curious. Makes me feel super cool.

I never really give anyone a specific number on how much something costs though. I usually just say "around x amount or so"

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

Especially when we can go on to property appraiser and see what you paid for it. And the layout, and what the person before you paid for it, and what your paying in taxes, etc....

Exactly. This info is public on a number of websites (zillow, trulia, etc). No need to make yourself look petty by having to ask.

[kits135i]

To give more in site to my feelings. What I have found is most people do not like to be asked unless they are the type that love to show off. It is kind of personal. I feel its rude to ask people what they paid for things. I have a lot of answers to when someone asks what I pay for things. Examples: If someone asked what I paid for x, I will respond with... I will tell you if you tell me what is your wife or gf bra size is or say well, my wife is a porno star and she bought me this as a gift so I have no idea... The list goes on. I got like this due to the rude people who would say, well if you would not have bought a 10k watch you could have donated that to help people or I get to point a to point b on a car that cost 10k... Why do you feel the need to flaunt your money etc, etc. It's my money and I can do what I want with it and I don't need some person looking to stab me for it, or telling me how I "should" have spend it. As the saying goes... I spent 90% of my money on women, cars and alcohol and the other 10% I wasted!