Genuine Classic Gangster
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 162
- Location
- Canada
I have experienced both of the phenomenon listed in the thread title.
One gentleman asked me how much I paid for a VS that I have.
At first, I didn't see any harm in answering him truthfully, so I told him. His reaction was one of shock, and that made me regret that I had told him. Based on my answer, he thought I must be a loaded, high-roller to be able to spend that much money on a hat. My answer about the cost of my VS led to further, even-more-intrusive questions about my financial status, which is something that I would rather not have had to explain to that person in any way. On the other hand, I was doing work with that person, so I felt pressure to answer the questions honestly for the sake of being polite. If I had instead said in reply, "That is none of your business," I would have come across as rude, and probably would have made myself look bad to the agency I was working for. I suppose I could have said something like, "I am not comfortable with answering that," although even that seems like it would have led to me having and awkward working-relationship with the person who asked me about the cost of my hats.
That experience has taught me that in the future, perhaps I should not disclose the price tag of my hats. I dread thinking about how I'd be able to get a non-hat-fan to understand the price of Optimos, and the awkward questions that I'd have to navigate once I disclose what they are.
Therefore, my first question to you dear ladies and gentlemen, is: what does one do when a co-worker, or someone with whom you must handle social discourses with in a delicate way, asks you intrusive questions about the cost of your hats, and how you are able to afford them?
The second part of this post has to do with unwanted hat touchings. I have also had co-workers and friends graze their fingers across the brim of my hat, without first warning me or asking for my permission to touch. I do not hold any ill will against them, but on the other hand, I have absolutely no idea what their fingers might have been up to before they touched my brim. I would much rather have no one touch my hat ever, other than myself, unless I have personally vetted the condition of his of her hands immediately prior to the touching, and even then, I am not sure that I'd be okay with it.
Similarly, I have had women at social gatherings say, "Can I see your hat?" (meaning, can they hold my hat). I am certainly grateful for the attention that women sometimes pay to me and my hats; however, I'd rather not risk having their hands introduce strange germs or residues onto my hats, or having them drop my hat onto the ground or into the soup or into the punch bowl, or whatever else is around. After all, if that were to happen, and my hat were to get ruined, all I would get is a "I'm so sorry," and I'd be out-of-pocket for the cost of that ruined hat, and I'd also be out the time, energy, and sentimental value which I've invested into it.
My second question is: when someone asks to touch your hat, how does one not be rude or offensive, yet also make sure that his hat is never subjected to an unwanted touching?
My third question is: how does one stop unwanted touchings that occur suddenly and without any verbal warning at all? That is, how do you stop someone from randomly reaching out and touching your hat, if the toucher does not say anything before he or she does so?
One gentleman asked me how much I paid for a VS that I have.
At first, I didn't see any harm in answering him truthfully, so I told him. His reaction was one of shock, and that made me regret that I had told him. Based on my answer, he thought I must be a loaded, high-roller to be able to spend that much money on a hat. My answer about the cost of my VS led to further, even-more-intrusive questions about my financial status, which is something that I would rather not have had to explain to that person in any way. On the other hand, I was doing work with that person, so I felt pressure to answer the questions honestly for the sake of being polite. If I had instead said in reply, "That is none of your business," I would have come across as rude, and probably would have made myself look bad to the agency I was working for. I suppose I could have said something like, "I am not comfortable with answering that," although even that seems like it would have led to me having and awkward working-relationship with the person who asked me about the cost of my hats.
That experience has taught me that in the future, perhaps I should not disclose the price tag of my hats. I dread thinking about how I'd be able to get a non-hat-fan to understand the price of Optimos, and the awkward questions that I'd have to navigate once I disclose what they are.
Therefore, my first question to you dear ladies and gentlemen, is: what does one do when a co-worker, or someone with whom you must handle social discourses with in a delicate way, asks you intrusive questions about the cost of your hats, and how you are able to afford them?
The second part of this post has to do with unwanted hat touchings. I have also had co-workers and friends graze their fingers across the brim of my hat, without first warning me or asking for my permission to touch. I do not hold any ill will against them, but on the other hand, I have absolutely no idea what their fingers might have been up to before they touched my brim. I would much rather have no one touch my hat ever, other than myself, unless I have personally vetted the condition of his of her hands immediately prior to the touching, and even then, I am not sure that I'd be okay with it.
Similarly, I have had women at social gatherings say, "Can I see your hat?" (meaning, can they hold my hat). I am certainly grateful for the attention that women sometimes pay to me and my hats; however, I'd rather not risk having their hands introduce strange germs or residues onto my hats, or having them drop my hat onto the ground or into the soup or into the punch bowl, or whatever else is around. After all, if that were to happen, and my hat were to get ruined, all I would get is a "I'm so sorry," and I'd be out-of-pocket for the cost of that ruined hat, and I'd also be out the time, energy, and sentimental value which I've invested into it.
My second question is: when someone asks to touch your hat, how does one not be rude or offensive, yet also make sure that his hat is never subjected to an unwanted touching?
My third question is: how does one stop unwanted touchings that occur suddenly and without any verbal warning at all? That is, how do you stop someone from randomly reaching out and touching your hat, if the toucher does not say anything before he or she does so?
