What is the SF approved response to this?

[MBreinin]

I've been asked questions like that. I usually say something like, "I have some of those, but these are (insert brand)." That way, you don't insult a brand he obviously thinks is nice, and you tell him about a new brand he may have not heard of.

Mike

 

[Don Carlos]

Originally Posted by TimelesStyle

"Nah, Crocket & Jones, it's an English company" and leave it at that unless he asks more. Trust me, I learned the hard way about talking clothes shoes with people who don't share my affinity for the subject. Makes one come off as pretentious, elitist or just plain oblivious to others' interests. And while we may be each and every one of those things, no need to broadcast it

.
+10

Originally Posted by MBreinin

I've been asked questions like that. I usually say something like, "I have some of those, but these are (insert brand)." That way, you don't insult a brand he obviously thinks is nice, and you tell him about a new brand he may have not heard of. Mike
+20 This is the sort of little white lie that always works pretty well and avoids snobbery or condescention.

 

[dshin]

The majority of the population never heard of C&J, Vass, Lobb, etc...like a posted stated earlier.
And even more would cringe at the thought of spending more than $100 on a pair of shoes.
I get asked this often at work, where kenneth coles are considered the epitome of high end shoes.
I just say they are "brand X"...if I get a puzzled look, i just say most ppl probably aren't familiar with them. They are made in "country of origin" and leave it at that.
Some will dig deeper and ask how much do they run...and I tell them and 99% of the time I get a gasp.

 

[KObalto]

Originally Posted by dshin

Some will dig deeper and ask how much do they run...and I tell them and 99% of the time I get a gasp.

Yes, when the conversation goes that far (very infrequently), I say "BTW, they are over X years old". Gives it a bit of context. I used to wear shoes out in 6 months to a year.

 

[dshin]

Originally Posted by KObalto

Yes, when the conversation goes that far (very infrequently), I say "BTW, they are over X years old". Gives it a bit of context. I used to wear shoes out in 6 months to a year.

Yep. And from these convos, it's led to why I spend so much more than the average person on shoes, talk about the construction, etc...and as long as I dont come across as condensing, ppl aer very receptive.
I've led more than a few ppl at work from wearing squared toed kenneth coles to AEs, Aldens, and varios english brands.

 

[Bounder]

Originally Posted by cbbuff

So I'm wearing my new favorite shoes - C&J handgrade medium brown captoes, and a colleague says: "Hey, nice shoes, what are those, Bostonians?" What would be the proper response?
"Yeah, they kind of look like it, but I got them in England."

 

[KObalto]

Originally Posted by dshin

Yep. And from these convos, it's led to why I spend so much more than the average person on shoes, talk about the construction, etc...and as long as I dont come across as condensing, ppl aer very receptive. I've led more than a few ppl at work from wearing squared toed kenneth coles to AEs, Aldens, and varios english brands.
Yep, I supervise 25 lawyers who are mostly quite young and appear in court quite frequently. I try to steer them away from the square-toed loafers and bicycle toe shoes they usually arrive in when they join my unit. When asked, I generally recommend round-toed lace-ups, usually AE, which we get the 25% corporate discount for at the JAB down the street. I've sold so many of these, I should get a commission.

We are as snarky a bunch as SF, and the other day one of my better dressed guys came charging in my office followed by 3 of his co-workers hectoring him about his new Chelsea boots and how they were inappropriate to wear with suits. He asked, in his Southern drawl, "Are these okay for suits?", I said sure, he left vindicated, and his co-workers slunk after him. These poor guys pay way too much attention to me.

 

[MyOtherLife]

Originally Posted by TimelesStyle

"Nah, Crocket & Jones, it's an English company" and leave it at that unless he asks more. Trust me, I learned the hard way about talking clothes shoes with people who don't share my affinity for the subject. Makes one come off as pretentious, elitist or just plain oblivious to others' interests. And while we may be each and every one of those things, no need to broadcast it

.

Good response. +1

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

Originally Posted by KObalto

Yep, I supervise 25 lawyers who are mostly quite young and appear in court quite frequently. I try to steer them away from the square-toed loafers and bicycle toe shoes they usually arrive in when they join my unit. When asked, I generally recommend round-toed lace-ups, usually AE, which we get the 25% corporate discount for at the JAB down the street. I've sold so many of these, I should get a commission.

We are as snarky a bunch as SF, and the other day one of my better dressed guys came charging in my office followed by 3 of his co-workers hectoring him about his new Chelsea boots and how they were inappropriate to wear with suits. He asked, in his Southern drawl, "Are these okay for suits?", I said sure, he left vindicated, and his co-workers slunk after him.
These poor guys pay way too much attention to me.

Well done! This explains why all of the older lawyers that walk into where I work all wear Aldens in cordovan.

 

[cross22]

"Oh these? I am not sure, maybe."

 

[ktrp]

Factual questions can generally get factual answers.

They asked the brand, you tell them.

They ask what it costs, you tell them about checking B&S like you're playing a slot machine.

 

[mr monty]

Thanks, but these are Crockett and Jones.

The guy really like your shoes. In his limited knowledge of shoes, Bostonian is a very good shoe.
Since your shoes look nice, they must be Bostonian. Keep in mind this was a sincere compilment and respond accordingly. You can bet your last dollar, he will google "Crockett and Jones shoes" and see the retail price. That's when the fun begins!!

 

[in stitches]

Originally Posted by mr monty

Thanks, but these are Crockett and Jones.

The guy really like your shoes. In his limited knowledge of shoes, Bostonian is a very good shoe.
Since your shoes look nice, they must be Bostonian. Keep in mind this was a sincere compilment and respond accordingly. You can bet your last dollar, he will google "Crockett and Jones shoes" and see the retail price. That's when the fun begins!!

agreed forcing too much info on someone never works let him find out himself with a little info from you

 

[raphaelargus]

Originally Posted by cbbuff

So I'm wearing my new favorite shoes - C&J handgrade medium brown captoes, and a colleague says:

"Hey, nice shoes, what are those, Bostonians?"


Said sarcastically?