I thought gold was a ridiculous idea until I saw one. It's rather attractive.
Can't say as though I'd have bought one, even if offered the choice. Maybe for variety? Dunno.
I would not, however, have purchased one out of a desire to let the world know I had the newest iPhone. I don't spend my time trying to show off my smartphone. I dunno. I got over that circa the 3G. It wasn't even that I showed my phone off so much as it was people noticing it and wanting to hold it. Same was true for the original iPhone. By 3GS, more people I knew were on board.
This same thing happened when Apple announced the all-white 4. It's just a change.