What to say when friends/relatives ask how much?

[codex57]

I use "a good amount," "a lot," or "a car/Camry" depending on who it is and how much I want to let them know as to the true cost. My one friend who I'd freely admit the exact amount hasn't bothered asking.

I wouldn't say, "that's a rude question." It might be, but I think I'm too dense or nice to really be offended by stuff like that. I wouldn't be offended if they asked my height, weight, etc. either. Maybe I'm just too apathetic or something.

 

[cinnabar]

Date: 3/13/2005 5:27:36 PM
Author: codex57
I use ''a good amount,'' ''a lot,'' or ''a car/Camry'' depending on who it is and how much I want to let them know as to the true cost.  My one friend who I''d freely admit the exact amount hasn''t bothered asking.


I wouldn''t say, ''that''s a rude question.''  It might be, but I think I''m too dense or nice to really be offended by stuff like that.  I wouldn''t be offended if they asked my height, weight, etc. either.  Maybe I''m just too apathetic or something.

Nah, you''re just a boy

 

[AChiOAlumna]

When people ask how much we paid, depending on who it is, I might respond jokingly with, "Why? Are you interested in paying off the remainder of the bill? How generous of you!" Although I''d never finance a ring, the person doesn''t need to know this and they sure as heck don''t want to pay off a 1.0 carat F-VVS2 Emerald Cut ring!!! LOL

 

[*BlingBling*]

Date: 3/8/2005 8

4:54 PM
Author:ilovebling
Have you ever been asked how much your rings cost? Without telling people the actual cost, what would/do you say?

When people ask me how much my ring costs, I say "A LOT OF MONEY". If they still want to be nosy, I look them dead in the eye and say "WHY, YOU WANNA BUY IT???" Usually they back off with the first answer. If not, I slowly step away and get my mase ready.

 

[Momoftwo]

It works both ways. I''ve never heard anybody ask that question of me or anyone I know about my e-ring, but I have had people volunteer how much they spent and why. I did have someone ask me how much my pearl necklace cost. After a minute, she realized what she had done and was so embarassed. I don''t think that most people who ask are being rude, just curious or like everyone does at some point, make a faux pas. Unless it''s someone who always asks everyone, then it''s probably just curiousity because they feel they know you well enough to ask. I don''t lie to people when they ask questions that I may not want to answer, but I may tell them I''m not comfortable answering. Lying is really no better than being rude by asking.

 

[lmurden]

What''s the the price? Priceless!
What''s the quality? High!

 

[sjz]

Date: 3/24/2005 6:23:12 AM
Author: Momoftwo
It works both ways. I''ve never heard anybody ask that question of me or anyone I know about my e-ring, but I have had people volunteer how much they spent and why. I did have someone ask me how much my pearl necklace cost. After a minute, she realized what she had done and was so embarassed. I don''t think that most people who ask are being rude, just curious or like everyone does at some point, make a faux pas. Unless it''s someone who always asks everyone, then it''s probably just curiousity because they feel they know you well enough to ask. I don''t lie to people when they ask questions that I may not want to answer, but I may tell them I''m not comfortable answering. Lying is really no better than being rude by asking.

I know a couple of people who are always telling people how much they''ve paid for their jewelry, their car, their house, their boat, etc. Those same people also have no problem asking everyone else what they''ve paid for things, either. To be honest, I avoid people like that when I have something new. No matter what you say, you can''t win with that type of person. Inevitably, if you tell them what you paid for something, they are going to either accuse you of bragging, or start telling you how you got "ripped off" and how you paid too much!

If I am confronted by someone like that, and am forced to give an answer, I usually either ask them why they want to know, and if that doesn''t work, I just say that I don''t feel comfortable discussing it.

I honestly think that people who are obsessed with how much things cost have some kind of insecurity issues. Either that, or they have no class. I''ve always believed that it was in poor taste to talk about money, and how much things cost.

 

[Momoftwo]

Did you know no one needs to ask how much you paid for your house? It''s public record. And usually available on the web through the local tax assessment office. I''ve gone and looked at the 3 previous homes we''ve owned to see how much they''re worth now, how much the last person paid, and if the people who bought from us still own them.

 

[sjz]

Date: 3/25/2005 8:34:56 AM
Author: Momoftwo
Did you know no one needs to ask how much you paid for your house? It''s public record. And usually available on the web through the local tax assessment office. I''ve gone and looked at the 3 previous homes we''ve owned to see how much they''re worth now, how much the last person paid, and if the people who bought from us still own them.

Yeah, I did know you could find out through public record how much was paid for anyone''s house. I will admit, once I looked up how much my ex paid for his new house, just out of curiousity

. It''s also pretty easy to find out what a car costs, a piece of jewelry, or anything else. I just think it''s a little obnoxious when people go around telling others what they''ve paid for everything, or asking others how much they paid. It just seems a little crass to feel like you have to put a monetary value on everything. Like I said, it seems like people who do that have some kind of insecurity thing going on, and they want to validate everything by putting a price on it.