I feel like being an early adopter to a new technology almost requires you to be a salesperson for that product. Has anybody thought of how they are going to "sell" the Apple Watch to friends/coworkers, when they inevitably judge you for spending $700 on an Apple Watch? I'm looking for a "script" here of key talking points to make my purchase look normal... Haha
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What to say to judgmental people
- Thread starter sp392845
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I don't see the point in trying to justify. I'll take the same approach I do with other things. When someone out of nowhere says something about Apple vs android, I just say something like "oh interesting." Not even sarcastically, just polite and neutralizing.
Buy, or not buy, and be happy with your choice. You don't have to justify anything to anyone how you - as an adult, I presume - spend your own money.
Well, unless you're a politician who "invested" in hookers and blow of course, but that's a bit beside the point really, isn't it.
Well, unless you're a politician who "invested" in hookers and blow of course, but that's a bit beside the point really, isn't it.
Herein lies the biggest problem with this board. Who cares what other people think? Ok, a *LOT* of people who post here do. I bust people's chops for things like "Is the Milanese Loop a Women's band?" and "What _Guys_are going to buy the smaller size" and people get really upset. Seriously upset. Who cares? Who cares what I think? Who cares if someone doesn't like your watch, or your shoes, or your hair style, or lack of style? Like yourself first, and others will like you. Do what makes you happy. Do your own thing. If you have to "sell" others on your purchases then start surrounding yourself with better humans, or fewer humans. Life is far too rich to waste it on other people's hangups. Beat the living hell out of your own drum and march to it like there's no tomorrow. And make fun of those people along the way, because it's much more fun to laugh than worry.
When people comment on my new tech, I usually say something like:
If they are actually interested, they'll ask more and I can tell them what I like about it. If they are commenting to be polite (like commenting on a new haircut), sticking to the above saves me lecturing to uninterested people and coming off as a total nerd. If they are fans of a competitor trying to start a "mine is better than yours" argument, simply acknowledging that other options may be at least as good is usually enough to fend them off.
- "I'm not going to try to sell you on it, but I like it".
- "There are some really good Android devices out there too, but Apple has its good points."
- "I know there are other options, but I'm happy with this."
- "I'm a hopeless technophile. I can't resist new gadgets."
If they are actually interested, they'll ask more and I can tell them what I like about it. If they are commenting to be polite (like commenting on a new haircut), sticking to the above saves me lecturing to uninterested people and coming off as a total nerd. If they are fans of a competitor trying to start a "mine is better than yours" argument, simply acknowledging that other options may be at least as good is usually enough to fend them off.
I do need a hug!! Lol
All good points, and you're all right about not needing to feel validated by other people. My chief reason for buying one is a fashion choice, followed closely by convenience, so I will probably not have a hard time justifying my purchase
If they're particularly obnoxious you could try something like, "Gee, I can't imagine myself openly questioning your choice of car/house/shirt/spouse."
Of course I'd never be quick enough to think of that if the situation really happened to me.
Of course I'd never be quick enough to think of that if the situation really happened to me.
I got some major shade when I bought a first generation iPad, but I feel like the app that sold it to my friends, believe it or not, was Tap Tap Revengeshowed off the visuals, sound, and utility of having a large surface area. I'm sure that the app developers will do more to sell the watch than Apple themselves.
Early adopter or not, Apple is a very polarizing company, it's largely carry over from an earlier era. Outside of the walled garden not everyone loves or worships supreme narcissism.
Show up with an Apple Watch and if it's noticed, the attention you receive may be more than you bargained for. That may be one reason it's rather plain and unspectacular.
Show up with an Apple Watch and if it's noticed, the attention you receive may be more than you bargained for. That may be one reason it's rather plain and unspectacular.
1) Be honest. Tell people what you like, tell people what you think the shortcomings are, and say how you use it.
2) Smile, and don't be a jerk. You're not special because you're an early adopter, you're just someone with a particular hobby/interest. Talking about your passion should make you happy, and smiling helps you keep things from getting too "preachy."
3) Don't talk about the price. Value is in the eye of the beholder. Apple won't pay you a commission for convincing a friend to buy the watch, so just talk about what it's like to have one and let them decide if it's something they're interested in.
2) Smile, and don't be a jerk. You're not special because you're an early adopter, you're just someone with a particular hobby/interest. Talking about your passion should make you happy, and smiling helps you keep things from getting too "preachy."
3) Don't talk about the price. Value is in the eye of the beholder. Apple won't pay you a commission for convincing a friend to buy the watch, so just talk about what it's like to have one and let them decide if it's something they're interested in.
The only one I haven't seen yet is "do you think the leather buckle on a 42 mm will make my butt look big".
If you have to ask others to tell you how to explain why you bought what you bought.. you're probably beyond help.
I'd just tell them it's none of their damn business what I choose to spend my money on.
Would it be correct to say that you are concerned what people think and not necessarily what they say? If you believe they will think you are wasting your money, that's where your problem is. You can't respond to their thoughts. So, maybe it's you that actually thinks you'll be wasting your money. You're entitled to do that and we all do it for different things.
I don't know anyone else who is going to buy this watch, but the other day at work someone else ask me why I would buy one. I didn't have to answer, one of my fellow workers looked at the questioner and said " Its Bob " and apparently that is all that needed said. I guess they know, understand, and expect me to do what I do
Give them a look and don't say anything. Maybe don't even give them a look.
The best way to deflate persistently annoying people is to ignore them completely. Of course they won't show their annoyance - but that's only because they know how to play the game too.
Like others have said, enjoy your stuff.
I've already been getting crap from my friends for telling them I'm getting one. I told them I'll be the one laughing next year when they want one.
I would find new people to hang with. Your current crowd sounds like a bunch of judgmental jackasses.
You shouldn't have to justify anything, but, it can be fun to try. I like to think of the AW like this...
For at least 12 years I have had a watch on my arm nearly every day except for a 1 year period of time I think of as the dark age where I tried just using my phone. OMFG, so many times I'd just be yanking my phone out just to remind myself of the time. What a dumb waste of effort and risk of dropping/tossing my phone every time.
Anyway, every watch I've had in that time has cost $350+ because that is how much you have to pay to get a decent looking watch with a link bracelet type band and also is something I like, style-wise. In the grand scheme of things, that's actually rather low end.
So compare to the Apple Watch: 1) I already feel no need to justify having a watch on. It's normal. 2) Its cost is easily within the normal realm of nice watch costs and every Apple Watch is nice, even that stupid rubber band, but, ignore that and we start at $649 for a very well made leather band and stainless steel case and it can tell the time. Guess what? You're already qualifying for many real world watches costing $649, but, it doesn't end there. You have every other feature and potential feature of the Apple Watch and the only real tradeoff is the battery life, and maybe the water resistance if that matters to you. That's an IF.
So, in reality, AW should not require any further justification than any decent low market watch. You could just stop there, and say something like "I felt like getting a new nice looking watch."
But if you feel, for some reason, you need more reasons but don't want to be a big salesjerk, you might consider adding something like "And I think this one may have some unique advantages. I felt like exploring what it might be able to do for me."
Don't try to convince others why THEY should want it, that's silly. Just tell them why you wanted it. "It looks nice and I think it might do cool things." what else do you really need to say? If you get prodded on the price, just bring up the cost of "dumb" watches and shrug. And if at any point they are trying to criticize this decision...? Maybe they need to screw off and mine their own damned business.
For at least 12 years I have had a watch on my arm nearly every day except for a 1 year period of time I think of as the dark age where I tried just using my phone. OMFG, so many times I'd just be yanking my phone out just to remind myself of the time. What a dumb waste of effort and risk of dropping/tossing my phone every time.
Anyway, every watch I've had in that time has cost $350+ because that is how much you have to pay to get a decent looking watch with a link bracelet type band and also is something I like, style-wise. In the grand scheme of things, that's actually rather low end.
So compare to the Apple Watch: 1) I already feel no need to justify having a watch on. It's normal. 2) Its cost is easily within the normal realm of nice watch costs and every Apple Watch is nice, even that stupid rubber band, but, ignore that and we start at $649 for a very well made leather band and stainless steel case and it can tell the time. Guess what? You're already qualifying for many real world watches costing $649, but, it doesn't end there. You have every other feature and potential feature of the Apple Watch and the only real tradeoff is the battery life, and maybe the water resistance if that matters to you. That's an IF.
So, in reality, AW should not require any further justification than any decent low market watch. You could just stop there, and say something like "I felt like getting a new nice looking watch."
But if you feel, for some reason, you need more reasons but don't want to be a big salesjerk, you might consider adding something like "And I think this one may have some unique advantages. I felt like exploring what it might be able to do for me."
Don't try to convince others why THEY should want it, that's silly. Just tell them why you wanted it. "It looks nice and I think it might do cool things." what else do you really need to say? If you get prodded on the price, just bring up the cost of "dumb" watches and shrug. And if at any point they are trying to criticize this decision...? Maybe they need to screw off and mine their own damned business.