Pretentious, or Not?

[wspohn]

Some pens are just out and out pretentious. I won't mention any for fear of causing offence. You know the sort of thing I mean.

 

But can a pen of identical design be pretentious and another one not?

 

Take Montblanc, if only because it is a good example of a pen that has a high portion of pretentious ownership.

 

When I see someone using a MB fountain pen, I assume they enjoy writing with it and the issue of pretension really doesn't cross my mind. Who else but a fan would carry and use a FP?

 

But when I see people carrying MB BPs, which write exactly as well and no better than any other BP with the same sort of refill, I think that the only possible reason the person could have that pen is pretension, because there is no functional difference between it and a Bic.

 

Now I realize that the same could be said of an expensive FP and a $15 steel nib FP that happens to be a good writer, so this isn't a situation with hard rules. I just wondered if anyone else saw these thinsg in a similar way - give the guy with the FP an automatic pass and tend to wonder about the MB BP guy's motives, and put him on mental probation as a possible twit.

 

I expect that this is the point of view of the hardened FP user. I am sure there are many other examples, and don't mean to single out all you MB owners who love writing with their pens. I remember this being my reaction from very early on in the hobby - see a FP - ah, another FP lover. See a BP - aha - the guy must be trying to impress someone.

 

Personal disclaimer - I do indeed own one MB BP, a Bordeaux 144 to go with a matching FP as an ensemble, as well as a MB 146 size document marker I just couldn't resist at the price if fell into my lap at. So I am not speaking from the stance of a righteous FP only owner, as I have collected a few FP BP pairs over the years. I was just wondering if anyone shared my impression/reaction.

 

[QM2]

It could very well be, that the BP user simply likes the look, feel, size shape, grip, and general design of the MB pen. Just because a person uses ballpoints, does not mean that it is all the same to them what the pen looks and feels like! They have a right to have preferences in other aspects of the pen's design. Frankly, I don't understand the need to determine who is "justified" in their consumer choices of writing instruments and who is "pretentious". This is really all a matter of viewpoint. To many people, all fountain pen users seem extremely pretentious, and any attempt at explanation or "practical" justification on our part just seems laughable and pathetic.

[penguinmaster]

I'm a firm believer that objects don't make people pretentious, it's the actions of said user of those objects that makes them pretentious. I walk around with pens more expensive than a Montblanc a lot of the time, people that feel the need to judge me by that and not what I actually do are people I nave no interest in knowing.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

Edited April 7, 2009 by penguinmaster

[wspohn]

I think you are misunderstanding my intent.

 

I am NOT saying things SHOULD be one way or the other, nor trying to justfy anything.

 

I AM simply recounting my own response when I see someone with an high end pen that happens to be a BP, not an FP.

 

I see a FP and think hey - a fellow pen fan. I see a fancy BP and think - hmm, wonder if he is really a fan or just a poseur. Keep an open mind, but the suspicion is there.

 

Of course no one but pen fans ever notice what sort of pen people use anyway....

Edited April 7, 2009 by wspohn

[FrankB]

There have been occasions when I have used a FP in public and been considered by some observers as being an old fashioned dimwit. Imagine someone not using a modern mode of writing. Those people did not consider me pretentious. They thought of me as blitheringly eccentric. I know because a couple of them felt compelled to say so. Hence, I do not make judgements about the writing instruments others use.

 

To address your question, I do think some people would use a writing instrument as a tool of pretention. I tend to blow off pretentious people, so I don't dwell on the issue. I think there are many more people who just want something of quality and they choose a known brand name. Like anyone else, they become accustomed to that brand and tend to stay with it.

 

Another thing I have noticed about MB writing instruments in particular. For as much as we bash MB's precious resin it does actually feel good in the hand (for many people including me). I have actually had MB users comment on several occasions that they like the feel of their pen. So, even though those BP's write no better than any other brand, their owners consider that MB's have a special character. I am not being an apologist for the brand. I am reporting what I have seen and heard.

Edited April 7, 2009 by FrankB

[rickn99]

If someone looks at me as if I'm being pretentious, I have my manservant give them a good thrashing.

[wspohn]

I guess some people still think I'm picking on MB. I'm not, it was just the example that most readily presents itself. I own several MBs and enjoy them.

 

It would seem that if people can't get past that, it was a mistake to post this trying to see what reactions other people have - doesn't look like we are going to get them. Oh well.

[xmattxyzx]

If someone looks at me as if I'm being pretentious, I have my manservant give them a good thrashing.

This is probably my favorite post.

[xmattxyzx]

I guess some people still think I'm picking on MB. I'm not, it was just the example that most readily presents itself. I own several MBs and enjoy them.

 

It would seem that if people can't get past that, it was a mistake to post this trying to see what reactions other people have - doesn't look like we are going to get them. Oh well.

No, I know what you mean. For me, though, I see it less as "pretentiousness" and more as "getting ripped off." But, hey, that's me.

 

For instance, the Pilot Capless BP is only 10 dollars cheaper than the FP!

[Pippin60]

I have to agree. I really never thought of MB users as pretentious and FP users are a different breed. To use a fountain pen requires a bit of care and appreciation for the tool, while most RB and BP users may have received one as a gift, corporate anniversary, or brought it themselves perhaps as a status symbol. I also must admit that I identify pretentiousness first by dress and then accoutrement's, speech, actions and body language. Truthfully in my own personal experience I know of only one MB user at work its a nice 144 classic BP I beleive in platinum trim. He's used the same pen for as long as I've known him and besides being a little long winded he's a nice guy.

[ebwatt]

Bill,

 

To actually answer your question ... no. I don't look askance at anyone who has chosen to invest in a writing instrument. Granted I've never met anyone scribbling with a MB BP and if I did I might let them know that for an extra $100 or so they could have a pen that both looks better than a Bic AND writes better than a Bic (i.e. a FP). However, in the absence of that opportunity, I have taken pleasure in noting that a number of people in my workplace choose to use Cross, Parker, or Waterman BP/RB rather than whatever logowear pen happens to be available.

 

As a previous poster noted, it isn't really the object that creates the impression of pretentiousness. Most idiots telegraph the fact to such a degree that pen selection is merely a secondary input to one's impression.

 

Eben

[wspohn]

Bill,

 

To actually answer your question ... no. I don't look askance at anyone who has chosen to invest in a writing instrument. Granted I've never met anyone scribbling with a MB BP

 

 

I probably see this a lot more than most people as I meet many lawyers, and a certain fraction of lawyers are the sort that WANT symbols like fancy pens. I suppose that's where I got the impression I do. If I see a guy using a MB BP that isn't part of a pair in his pocket, it is entirely possible that he got it as a graduation gift, or just likes the pen, but there is also a substantial chance he is a twit - enough, anyway, to get him put on mental probation to see if his subsequent actions merit one cnclusion or the other. With people that haul out nice FPs - and use them, the thought just doesn't occur to me.

 

One lawyer I met went from probation to instant damnation when I also saw his fake gold Rolex....

 

Disclaimer - I use a Parker Premier Athenes as my daily BP, as I have to fill in multipage forms quite often. All of my note taking is by FP, though, either whatever is in my pocket (ironically, today ot is a MB 146) or that sits on my desk in vintage desk sets - a 149, a couple of Sheaffers, a Waterman or two.

[WendyNC]

wspohn, I don't know the answer to your question, but can cite my own example. There are times when I need a ballpoint because I'm using multi-part carbonless forms. I was given a gift certificate for Levenger and used it to purchase a gold-plated Sheaffer pen because I l believed it would be comfortable in my hand, I liked the look of it, and I felt that I could trust the pen to perform reliably in all aspects (including body wear) since it was from a manufacturer with which I was familiar. My reasoning was that if I had to use a ballpoint, I might as well get something that I enjoy using from both the hand and eye perspective and which would wear well. So, while I could use a different pen which takes the same ballpoint cartridge, I made a deliberate choice based on my personal sensibilities.

 

 

[Paddler]

Personal disclaimer - I do indeed own one MB BP, a Bordeaux 144 to go with a matching FP as an ensemble, as well as a MB 146 size document marker I just couldn't resist at the price if fell into my lap at. So I am not speaking from the stance of a righteous FP only owner, as I have collected a few FP BP pairs over the years. I was just wondering if anyone shared my impression/reaction.

 

 

I think you voiced my opinion right there. Some folks want to carry a complete set of something; they want their FP and BP and RB to match. They feel a bit uncomfortable otherwise, like if they happen to notice that they are wearing mismatched socks. This only amounts to pretension if they care what others think of it.

 

The context has something to do with it, also. If a lady wears her diamond tiara to the office, she's being pretentious. If she wears it to a black-tie ball, she's not.

 

I had a boss, years ago, who carried a couple of MBs in his shirt pocket. Would he write with his little darlings? Would he hell! He carried another pen in another pocket. That was his user pen. I could go on and on about that guy; he was one ANSI standard arch-twit.

 

I attended the Ohio Scottish Games one summer and was standing in line to buy a bridie and a side of haggis when the guy standing in line ahead of me apparently noticed the Pelikan M205 in my shirt pocket. So he out with his MB and actually twiddled it under my nose. He flashed me with it. Dang it, I only wore that Pel because my wife got all dolled up in her white summer dress with her clan tartan sash and kilt pin. I couldn't walk around with a woman dressed like than on my arm and meself lookin' like a clod with a P51 in my pocket, now could I?

 

Paddler

Edited April 7, 2009 by Paddler

[PaulLeMay]

lookin' like a clod with a P51 in my pocket, now could I?

 

Sir, many people on this forum would meet you at dawn with pistols for that comment.

[ethernautrix]

If someone looks at me as if I'm being pretentious, I have my manservant give them a good thrashing.

 

Great, now I have to add Montblanc Manservant to my list. Thanks, Rick.

 

 

 

This hobby never ends, does it?

[Paddler]

lookin' like a clod with a P51 in my pocket, now could I?

 

Sir, many people on this forum would meet you at dawn with pistols for that comment.

 

Wow! That quip drew fire in a hurry. Make it brickbats at forty yards.

 

Paddler

 

[Pippin60]

If someone looks at me as if I'm being pretentious, I have my manservant give them a good thrashing.

 

Great, now I have to add Montblanc Manservant to my list. Thanks, Rick.

 

 

 

This hobby never ends, does it?

 

 

:roflmho:

[ethernautrix]

For instance, the Pilot Capless BP is only 10 dollars cheaper than the FP!

 

Seriously -- a "capless ballpoint?" Introduced as if it were an innovation?

 

 

Utter bamboozlement, I say.

[TheWalrus]

I like my MB BP pen. First it was a grad gift, so there's sentimentality attached to it. Second I love the way it looks, the dark black body, the silver rings. Third I find it comfortable to write with, plain and simple, it's the right weight, and size for me. Fourth I find that it does write more easily than your typical Bic BP. That might be psychosematic, but it's equally true for me.

 

I don't care what other people think about me using the pen on a day to day basis. I like it and I'll continue to use it.