Do Business pens really matter anymore?

[Carrie]

Most people at work used to assume that my Tag Heuer was a fake because I used to have a fake one before I got the real thing. I only ever wear the one watch as well as two gold and platinum with diamond rings. The rings are both antiques and one belonged to my great aunt. I've only had one person at work comment that maybe I shouldn't wear those things to work because they're expensive. Do I care, definitely not. I'd feel undressed if I didn't wear those items and I'm not looking to be judged by them.

As for pens, people at work did tend to notice my pens, probably because of the colours on some of the vintage Conway Stewarts and people seemed to like using my Parker 51. A couple of other people at work used FPs as well. Worst moment, attending a conference on a boiling hot day and the only time my P51 has ever let me down, uncapped it and it promptly deposited most of it's ink in the notebook I was about to use

[Sallent]

I would rather judge a man by the quality of his work and the nature in which he treats other than the clothes he wears.

 

I have met many who dress like they have a million dollars, yet every time they open their mouths they sound like an idiot compared to others who dress less opulent.

 

OLD ENGLISH PROVERB: Don't judge a man by his hat, but by the angle of his tilt"

 

The Romans had a similar saying that invoved the horse's mount (saddle), but I forgot

Edited June 27, 2008 by Dr Ozzie

[Wolf]

As you are a teen, just do what you like. Why care what other people do or think.

 

Why do what other people want you to do. Know what you want.

[Waterman]

As you are a teen, just do what you like. Why care what other people do or think.

 

Why do what other people want you to do. Know what you want.

 

Well I knew that but I just really dislike it when people judge me cause of what I wear or use. In grade 11 I had a Cross townsend 14K ballpoint pen and I think my chemistry teacher really didn't like me using that pen I don't know why but I think she got a bad vibe from me cause of it. But I didn't care what she said so I used it kind of in a way to rub it in her face. I still pulled an 80.

 

Thanks

Brad

[bilbok]

I've always carried a pen/pencil set with me, even if it geeky! When I have given my pen to a client to sign an order older clients will know how to write with a fountain pen and younger clients do not. Then again half of the time the clients could not figure out how to twist or pull the cap on a nicer ball point. For a short period of time I had a nice ball point with the push button on top and everyone tried to twist to top off.

 

Be prepared to lose it by having it borrowed.

 

The best advice I've seen is be consistent. If you're just starting out don't wear $400 shoes, $2000 watches or $500 fountain pens. You look like a show off and lose credibilty, clients will think theres nothing behind the show.

 

Shoes

$400 shoes are shoes for low key civil servant nowadays.

 

Good shoes cost more than 500 euros so about $800.

 

 

Watch

$2 000 watches are rather cheap too. A good steel watch cost $6 000.

 

 

Suit

And a suit at $500 is a crappy fused piece of junk which match well with a bic. A good suit costs $1 500.

 

 

Conclusion : you have no risk to look showy with $400 shoes or $2 000 watch.

 

 

Anyway, 99% of people are not capable to see the difference between $200 shoes and $800 shoes, particulary on other people's feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bilbok]

I've only had one person at work comment that maybe I shouldn't wear those things to work because they're expensive.

 

Was this person a member of the cleaning staff?

 

 

 

 

 

[Sallent]

Shoes

$400 shoes are shoes for low key civil servant nowadays.

 

Good shoes cost more than 500 euros so about $800.

 

 

Watch

$2 000 watches are rather cheap too. A good steel watch cost $6 000.

 

 

Suit

And a suit at $500 is a crappy fused piece of junk which match well with a bic. A good suit costs $1 500.

 

 

Conclusion : you have no risk to look showy with $400 shoes or $2 000 watch.

 

 

Anyway, 99% of people are not capable to see the difference between $200 shoes and $800 shoes, particulary on other people's feet.

 

I disagree, spending that kind of money is outragous!

 

I tell you that you can find some excellent shoes for $100-200 USD

There are suits that look very sharp and high quality for $200-250 USD

 

There are great watches for around $2000 USD or less

Here's a few I thought of in 3 seconds

 

Omega Speedmaster (hexalite crystal)

Omega Seamaster

Rado Diastar

Rado Original

Movado 800

 

If I were to think for a few more i could come with a list 4 times that size.

 

The point is that MONEY may influence the way people look at you, but you dont have to spend thusands of dollars. A few hundred dollars can go a long way.

 

Also, the most important thing is WORK ETHICS and ATTITUDE. No ammount of clothes will hide a lazy bum or a rotten individual

Edited June 29, 2008 by Dr Ozzie

[bilbok]

Some really don't care about writing instruments but for sure they know the worth of what your writing with. What they really do care is the tie (for men) and the business attire your wearing.

 

In most top executive meetings, the most common sight that peeps out there shirts pockets or organisers are the white design on cap tops better known as MONTBLANC.

 

Wearing a shirt with a pocket is a crime.

 

If I see a "top executive" wearing that or even a collegue, I leave the meeting on the spot and find a new job.

 

I don't want to work with tasteless people.

 

 

 

[xmattxyzx]

Wow, bilbok is great.

[marigolds]

Wearing a shirt with a pocket is a crime.

 

If I see a "top executive" wearing that or even a collegue, I leave the meeting on the spot and find a new job.

 

I don't want to work with tasteless people.

 

Wow, you must change jobs a lot.

 

[Sallent]

Billbock, you have priorities wrong.

 

Thank god I am surrounded by people who won't pretend to be your friend because you have an expensive watch or wear the latest designer clothes

 

Man, do we have our priorities wrong in this country

 

WHat happened to character and morality? Do they not matter anymore?

[satrap]

 

Wearing a shirt with a pocket is a crime.

 

If I see a "top executive" wearing that or even a collegue, I leave the meeting on the spot and find a new job.

 

I don't want to work with tasteless people.

====================

 

So what do you do when someone misspells "colleague"? I'd probably vomit on him. :ltcapd:

 

[bilbok]

I disagree, spending that kind of money is outragous!

 

Why ?

 

I tell you that you can find some excellent shoes for $100-200 USD

 

Where and when ?

 

 

There are suits that look very sharp and high quality for $200-250 USD

 

For $200, you don't even have enough fabric for tailoring the pants.

 

 

 

 

There are great watches for around $2000 USD or less

Here's a few I thought of in 3 seconds

 

Omega Speedmaster (hexalite crystal)

Omega Seamaster

Rado Diastar

Rado Original

Movado 800

 

These are not great watches.

 

Omega is a good value for money, middle range watches and seamaster and speemaster are sport watches so not wearable with a business outfit.

 

Rado and Modavo are cheap quartz watches and they only impress people who know NOTHING about watches. Worse = people who know about watches make fun of people wearing Rado because they fell in a marketing trap.

 

 

Great watches : Vacheron (12 000 euros), Patek (12 000 euros), Jaeger (4 000 euros).

 

Why are they great ? Because they are well made outside AND inside. They also have a great history and produce watches with complications.

 

 

 

 

The point is that MONEY may influence the way people look at you, but you dont have to spend thusands of dollars. A few hundred dollars can go a long way.

 

Everything influence the way people look at you, the look (clothes, body and face) beeing the first thing.

 

If I buy nice stuff, it is not for people but for me as 99% of people would never spot that my master ultra thin from Jaeger costs 3 500 euros while much more would notice and be impressed by my watch if I wear a D&G (Potty Mouth) of $300.

 

Anyone with knowledge, taste and self confidence would prefer doing business with someone wearing a $2 000 suit than with someone wearing a $200 suit.

 

Why? Because if one can not even afford dressing, what can I expect from him ?

 

 

 

 

Also, the most important thing is WORK ETHICS and ATTITUDE. No ammount of clothes will hide a lazy bum or a rotten individual

 

Do you see more lazy people among people wearing $100 shoes and $200 suit or among people wearing $1 000 shoes and $2 000 suit ?

Edited June 29, 2008 by bilbok

[bilbok]

Wearing a shirt with a pocket is a crime.

 

If I see a "top executive" wearing that or even a collegue, I leave the meeting on the spot and find a new job.

 

I don't want to work with tasteless people.

 

Wow, you must change jobs a lot.

 

Better = I don't work

[bilbok]

Wearing a shirt with a pocket is a crime.

 

If I see a "top executive" wearing that or even a collegue, I leave the meeting on the spot and find a new job.

 

I don't want to work with tasteless people.

====================

 

So what do you do when someone misspells "colleague"? I'd probably vomit on him. :ltcapd:

 

I am a frog so I don't speak English.

 

By the way, I am eating water melon right now and this is my favorite fruit.

 

[satrap]

Okay I'm getting multiple suggestions here. If I use a very nice pen I may come off as someone who just buys expensive stuff to compensate for my questionable academic abilities or if I use a very nice pen I come off as someone with an intent to someday work at a higher level so that may get me that promotion cause of the vibe I give off followed by hard work as opposed to someone who uses a BIC and works hard?

 

Brad

================

 

Dear Brad,

 

You are a capable, ambitious, intelligent young man. Your character is more important than any item you will ever own. I am sure all of the Enron executives had nice pens, cars, suits, mansions, etc. However, one guy was found dead in his Benz, with a suicide note in the car. The note could have been written with a solid gold MB, or a Bic, but who knows? The news did not mention the pen. His wife and children did not care about the pen, but about a life that was lost.

 

Here is my point: Use the pen that is comfortable for you. If it happens to be what others call "fancy", oh well, so what. Sometimes, people try to intimidate you by their lack of knowledge, or by trying to put you down for having what they perceive as expensive. Their problems are not yours.

 

What you write, and the accuracy of what you write, will be more important than the pen was used.

 

Be known for your character. "Brad is dependable, honest, creative. He takes instructions very well, is a team player, and contributes a lot to the team. With Brad on the team, we know an assigned project will be completed in a timely manner, and with great attention to detail." Something like that.

 

 

[satrap]

Wearing a shirt with a pocket is a crime.

 

If I see a "top executive" wearing that or even a collegue, I leave the meeting on the spot and find a new job.

 

I don't want to work with tasteless people.

====================

 

So what do you do when someone misspells "colleague"? I'd probably vomit on him. :ltcapd:

 

I am a frog so I don't speak English.

 

By the way, I am eating water melon right now and this is my favorite fruit.

=============

 

My favourite fruit as well. What is a frog? And no, I do not believe your comments about shirt pocket, but I do think you are funny.

 

Edited because I got it, you are French. More grandeur than the US.

Edited June 29, 2008 by satrap

[burmeseboyz]

bilbok, you're awesomely funny. At first I thought you were joking, but since you mentioned that you were French, I'm not so sure. Regardless, your posts are great.

[JDFlood]

My use of certain writing instruments reflects my personality, attitude and feelings. Sometimes I use a MB Limited Edition or Writers Series because it makes me feel especially good that day. Just something about writing a letter to a friend with the MB Virginia Woolf or William Faulkner. I also love writing in my journal with the Parker 51 fine point. If I am going to a meeting with extensive note taking I sometimes will use my Taccia Staccato because the the size feels good for extended times. My attitude about business is to dress for the specific occasion and my fountain pen is part of my attire. It is also about attitude. I feel good about myself when I dress well. I also feel good about myself when I use pens like a Parker Duofold True Blue LE. I honestly don't think it matters a hoot to others what pen I use so I just try to please myself in this area. /Craig

 

[daveg]

Billbock, you have priorities wrong.

 

Thank god I am surrounded by people who won't pretend to be your friend because you have an expensive watch or wear the latest designer clothes

 

Man, do we have our priorities wrong in this country

 

WHat happened to character and morality? Do they not matter anymore?

 

You can never be sure over the Internet but I think you are responding to a parody