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Recently today I was talking to a customer and really liked his watch. We talked about watches, life and some other stuff, and then left.

Then about an hour or two later he calls the store and requests for me and I’m on the phone so I tell him that I’m speaking. He then asks me how much longer I’d be at my workplace and I tell him less than 20 minutes. He tells me to stay for a bit because he wants to show me a picture.

Fast forward 20 minutes and this dude comes in and gives me one of his $300 watches. I was very surprised and gave him a hug and then he left and I went home.

My question is what would you guys recommend in similar situations or even this exact situation. Was it wrong for me to take the watch? Could it have been stolen or he potentially wants something from me? I typically try not to see the worst in people but after some self reflection and talking to my parents about it there could have been some malicious intent even though he seemed like a genuinely nice dude.


[–]cali323231347 points348 points  (9 children) | Copy Link

In the book “How to win friends and influence people”

A man visited the family of another. He started talking to an older lady (the owner of the house where the family had been) and talked about the house. And eventually the car that was really nice which he greatly appreciated and showed great love for. Apparently, the family was fighting over who’d get the car when she died.

The older lady gave this man she just met the car, regardless of the fact the man said she should give it to her blood family instead (he said this prior to knowing the family was fighting for it without a care for her/ the car). She said she gave it to him because she knew he’d appreciate it as much as she did.

Enjoy the watch. Stay humble.

[–]Senior EndorsedVasiliyZaitzev99 points100 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

This was also the plot of Gran Torino.

[–]seducter33 points34 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Great fuckin' movie. But not a great FUCKIN' movie.

[–]jackandjill2218 points19 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

This happened to me to after I got a new job. I wonder why men like giving other men watches.

[–]JaFaRr914 points15 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I was just going to comment this, GREAT book.

[–]Sin-Silver4 points5 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

This is the exact example I was thinking of as I wrote OP's post. The man might help felt that you truly appreciated him and the watch.

[–]ASTRA-LUX2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

THIS!!^^

[–]ihavenopeopleskills1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

^ THIS. ^

[–]hackslash_0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

First thought that popped into my head after reading title

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[–]-uppitymantis-21 points22 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

A healthy dose of skepticism is good but life would be a terrible place if you go through it assuming the worst in people.

[–]Nergaal8 points9 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

some people don't want to see the world burn. they are just rare, and definitely not the rule of thumb.

[–]2319Skew83 points84 points  (4 children) | Copy Link

Two schools of thought.

Random act of kindness. Pay it forward.

OR

People give gifts with strings to get something from you.

Have no idea if he's just a nice guy or if he's currently watching you with binoculars waiting to catch you alone in the washroom.

[–]RevolutionRose9 points10 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

Not happening, not on my watch

[–]bosshawg5022 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Not on his watch 😂

[–]jackandjill225 points6 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

For me it was the second or maybe both idk. I had gotten a new job & they had a nice watch said they had another & gave it to me. I asked "why" they said "you have to keep your hands open if you want to receive" & just left.

[–]Johnfeb9456 points57 points  (20 children) | Copy Link

Watches happen to be something a lot of men are very passionate about. Particularly men with status and money. It’s a huge thing in the professional world. Something like a Patek Phillipe or Vacheron Constantin are beautiful engineering wonders and probably the closest thing to perfection in the living world. My bet is it is just a good gesture from a guy who’s been around and has success who saw something in you when you were talking and decided to give you a nice watch. A “welcome to the club, you’re going to do well” sort of thing.

Also they understand that a lot of these watches either hold their value or appreciate. They convey status and good taste.

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[–]Johnfeb9415 points16 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

I mean that’s a possibility as well lmao. Always be careful there’s some sickos out there. But it being a watch kind of makes me think otherwise

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[–]Johnfeb9410 points11 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

"who lifts"

lmfao

[–]guifawkes6 points7 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Take a picture with a pretty woman while wearing the watch and say "thanks man" next time you see him.

He could be a pirate looking for booty, or, perhaps he has no kids of his own and giving you a watch like that gives you a head start on making the right impression.

Idk...i feel like if he wanted booty he would've been like let's go buy you a watch or here's two tickets to an event. Regardless....op don't take another gift. If he offers more (the watch is a lot) he has ulterior motives, politely decline the next gift.

[–]RevolutionRose1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Yeah watch out for him coming in again

[–]RevolutionRose2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Something like a Patek Phillipe or Vacheron Constantin are beautiful engineering wonders

What is the engineering marvel they achieve besides telling the time correctly? [Serious, too poor to have encountered one of these.]

[–]Project_Zero_Betas5 points6 points  (12 children) | Copy Link

and probably the closest thing to perfection in the living world

Haha take it easy my smartphone tells exact same time

[–]Johnfeb9416 points17 points  (10 children) | Copy Link

Like I haven’t heard that a million times.

Elites don’t wear nice watches because they tell the time.

[–]Project_Zero_Betas2 points3 points  (9 children) | Copy Link

I understand the status symbol of them, but youre being hyperbolical calling them “perfection in the living world.”

[–]Johnfeb948 points9 points  (8 children) | Copy Link

It’s not exaggerated. They’re fucking perfect. It’s why a lot of them can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[–]Kink32 points3 points  (3 children) | Copy Link

It's not something I'd expect most people to understand that don't know anything about manufacturing. It's no joke, these watches have the tiniest gears, springs, and other parts that have tolerances that blow anything NASA puts on their space shuttles out of the water. They also require equipment that costs over a half a million dollars to make these pieces (in the modern way).

[–]RevolutionRose-1 points0 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

I think the price is more about the brand than the watch itself.

[–]VojvodaSrpski0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

These things literally cost a fortune to make and thousands of hours of experience for a watchmaker to be able to make them even with all the expensive technology, tolerances for some of the finer pieces are unbelievable they look perfect even under a microscope and most of the details are hand made. So if the manufacturer wants to make some profit on top of that they really aren’t overpriced at all.

[–]RevolutionRose0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I get this manufacturing superiority in cars, one car's engine will be better than the other. But spending thousands of hours and millions to do the same thing in the end : To tell the time. This is something I struggle to get my head around.
They are hand made and springs may look perfect under a microscope, but then you're paying for art, not for the watch itself. Its about art and brand, because a 4$ watch is doing exactly what a 4 million dollar Constantin does.

[–]guifawkes-2 points-1 points  (3 children) | Copy Link

Perfection is relative. Do these watches even have calculators on them? Doubt it...

[–]Johnfeb944 points5 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

BuT Do ThESe WaTCheS HaVE CalCuLaTOrs In ThEm? DouBT IT

One of the stupidest things I’ve heard someone say.

[–]Drakane12 points3 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

it was a joke though

[–]guifawkes0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

It was a good one too, in my opinion. Watches perform a simple function...and cars make a much better impression than watches. I have friends with expensive watches and Gucci belts, yet we don't really talk about those things when we get into my Mercedes-Benz.

[–]VojvodaSrpski0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

It’s not about accuracy or time at all, mechanical watches even 50 years ago were the very peak of human ingenuity and craftsmanship. To be able to wear something like that on your wrist is truly stunning.

I really can’t understand people that buy a new $1k+ smartphone every couple of years but can’t justify a watch for the same amount of money that will literally last decades maybe even centuries and will always remain stylish and an indicator of good taste and respect for finer things in life.

Horology is a really interesting thing, basically a watch is a beautiful and immensely complex mechanism you can wear with you that’s also your personal memento mori - reminds you that death is inevitable for everyone and that time keeps going forward regardless of anything. So you better make the most of your time because it will pass inevitably regardless of your actions.

[–]MisfitPL971 points72 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

Hes going to come back and say " So you like watches, - here put 2 hands and a face on this " and flop his dick out

[–]inittowinit7777 points8 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

LMAO underrated comment

[–]YoungTrappin2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Two hands and a face hahaha

[–]drsherbert13 points14 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

He wants to fuck you bro

[–]SERPMarketing0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Yeah, this dude is probably going to come back and start a “friendship”, then I vote you to hang out somewhere at a non-work related location, will get you drunk and then make a move on you.

Be cautious. If it’s not a guy trying to groom you, then it’s definitely a weirdo that will make you feel uncomfortable in the future

[–]Pluglord24 points25 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Congrats. You now have a sugar daddy.

[–]Tater__thot18 points19 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

To reject one's gift is to reject their friendship.

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[–]lvpvsdacvs6 points7 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

This. I had some muslim collegues and when i complimented a guy for his watch he just gaved it to me

[–]PreEntertain2 points3 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

Yeah you gotta be careful with what you say around muslims. I have an employee who does this. You can't pay any kind of compliment to the man. He literally gave one of our young employees the shirt off his back. One time I told him his lunch smelled good and next thing I know he's dishing up a plate for me (i didnt fuckin eat it though, kinda weird tbh.)

[–]dsgk_990 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I think I remember hearing about a video where this guy told an Arab he likes his car (some luxury car I think Bentley) and he gave it to him, I literally wouldn't be able to afford a Bentley even as a gift though lmao.

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[–]boy_named_su6 points7 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

He wants to gargle your hog

[–]PreEntertain0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

It's only gay if you're the one gargling

[–]sudo-reboot7 points8 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

When people give you things, or say they’re gonna do you a favor, you say yes and show gratitude. You don’t accept these things for yourself. You accept them because it will make the other person happy.

Like when a grandma tells her grandkid to eat cookies she made. You might not give a f*ck about grandma’s cookies. But you say yes and show gratitude because it makes HER happy.

[–]volvostupidshit18 points19 points  (4 children) | Copy Link

Is your ass still virgin bro? Haha jk. Free item is always good.

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[–]PandaLitter8 points9 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

The watch is just lube to loosen up your asshole

[–]RedDeAngelo3 points4 points  (3 children) | Copy Link

As a watch geek Im hoping it was a seiko or a hamilton.

[–]3abb1 point2 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

Why those brands?

[–]cphpc4 points5 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Seiko is equivalent to a Honda. He’s basically saying brands that are popular and well-sought after in the watch world.

[–]Vitamin_ABCDE6 points7 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

He wants you to be his boyfriend haha. Enjoy the gift, maybe he was just feeling generous at the moment. Or just sell it and when/if he tells you he wants it back, deny everything

[–]shitpostlord43210 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Reading this comment reminded me of that episode on Seinfeld where that one guy gave Jerry a suit so he can get a free meal and Jerry ended up giving it to somebody else.

[–]L2diy2 points3 points  (4 children) | Copy Link

What kind of watch was it? Just curious. Nothing wrong with accepting a gift from someone.

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[–]L2diy1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Damn. Way too gaudy for me, but if you like it nice!

[–]RevolutionRose1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

invicta bolt.

He's Definitely after your Ass

[–]RedDeAngelo0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Ahah I had a feeling it was going to be an invicta.

[–]zerohistory2 points3 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

Ive done this to my friends. given watches. often 10k+ watches. For women even more. watches are love man. enjoy it

[–]RevolutionRose4 points5 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Yeah sure. 10k+ Watches, where are you this christmas, Santa

[–]bdd10010 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Yep. If you’re into watches, a $300 watch is one of your shitters. I’ve given several of them away to strangers who complimented them.

[–]Texan21164 points5 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Several years back, my now ex wife and I were in the line at 7-11....and the dude behind us paid for our stuff, about 10 bucks or so....as we were thanking him, he just told us to pay it forward.

[–]Nergaal1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Where did this happen? When I lived in rural Texas, I would sometimes get free coffee paid by the driver in front of me. It happened a few times and I was shocked at the time. In hindsight, might have been me allowing to jump in front of the line (reverse road rage?) or maybe just something that happens in rural Texas. Some people don't want to see the world burn. Those are the people who if you are lucky enough, you want to keep around. Not everything in this world has to be malicious. That being said, it could be some sort of trap, but not very likely.

[–]ZZ3xhZz1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I think the dude enjoyed your company. He obviously likes watches, and you showed interest in him and his hobby. Well done, you clearly have some social skills. Being interested in people and letting them talk is a skill. He probably doesn't have anyone to talk to about watches. Your interest in him made him feel good. Now you both are watch buddies and the world is a better place.

[–]RevolutionaryPea71 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Nothing to do with TRP, but I assume you just wanted answers from men and this is, sadly, the most likely place to get that.

[–]BodomDeth0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Whats ur job

[–]NobodyP10 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

A lot of great stuff on this another idea is simply him wanting to be noticed/important and you being interested in him made him feel that way.

[–]empatheticapathetic0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

The man was from the government and the watch is a tracking device meant to frame you in a future crime. Isn't that obvious?

[–]flatox0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

On a sidenote, iv'e become very attentive to when people start giving their expensive shit away for free, because they might have plans to commit suicide.

Probably not in this case, but you never know.

[–]MisterRoid0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Maybe he just likes you. Doesn't have to be anything malicious behind it, and even if he's trying to use it as a hidden contract you don't owe him anything for a gift.

[–]ihavenopeopleskills0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

In this day and age it's good for you to be asking these questions, but provided he isn't asking you to do anything out of your way I don't see an issue with it. Since you asked your parents I'm assuming you are young and starting off in life, so he may have felt obliged to help you out. God bless him.

If you feel uncomfortable about it and he doesn't want to take it back, you can always sell it and donate the proceeds to a church or worthy charity of your choosing.

You know what I'd do? Keep it. Appreciate it. Build wealth such that you can afford to do the same thing to someone else someday.

[–]alfred3110 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

In my church a couple was scammed into buying a car, gave testimony about their experience and how it made them bring closer to God, an anonymous person gave him one the next week. This is actually not impossible, there are many rich and kind hearted people out there

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

He's probably a noble man. There are people like that, simple as that.

I cringe from half of the comments though. "Free watch dude", "free stuff", "he wants your butt" etc. Fucking peasants, you haven't been treated like human beings even once in your lives? It is not about the watch at all.

I'd wear the watch, so the next time he comes in he is satisfied. I'd also invite him to do some masculine stuff together. This is a good way to form a new fiendship, assuming you have a lot in common. Also he sounds like a successful guy.

[–]Nevesj98G0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

as someone said here, watches are linked to status and money, but they are also linked to a sense of responsibility (arriving in time). If your costumer service was pleasurable, maybe he saw you as someone "worthy" and with the "qualities" deserving of owning one of his 300$ watches, and even on top of that, you showed that you apreciated the watches. thats my take on it.
If you fear that the watch might be stolen, dont wear it for some weeks i guess.

[–]fartingaround0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I have a remotely similar story: 5 years ago i worked for Enterprise rent a car. I was a car prep so i maintained the cars and would sometimes drive customers to and from where ever they had to go. I drove this lady back to her house which was about a 5-10 min drive. We chit chatted along the way and when we arrived she said she was sorry she had no tip money for me but i told her not to worry. A few days later she comes back in and gives me a check $100 and gives me a hug. I guess some ppl really do appreciate others and are really that generous.

[–]Nyquil-Junkie0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

The only free cheese is in a mousetrap.

[–]RevolutionRose0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

He is gonna have lot of cheese in his mousetrap for sure

[–]DirtyBastard130 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Sometimes that happens. A guy I met at a party sold me a wood cigar humidor for $10 after I happened to complement it. Say thank you and be appreciative of the gift. Just roll with it if you want it.

[–]RevolutionRose0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

You didnt tell what your shop sells , is it a jewellary store? What if the watch has device planted on it to know exactly what goes in the shop so that he can plan his robbery better? Or maybe the watch will help his drone know exactly where to come and release the fainting gas so that he walks in like a boss?

I mean, its an Invicta bold ffs

[–]hibloodstevia0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Betas instinctually will suck up to alphas. This is to gain later favor and to raise themselves above other betas for when you have to start sacrificing people (in a tribe situation, 5000 years ago - always use this model to figure out people's behavior).

Same situation as a low value girl wanting to suck your dick and never even attempting to gain commitment.

[–]innerpeice0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Is he an Arab? its part of they're culture??

[–]SIR_SKINNYPENIS690 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Don't overthink it!

When I was young and broke I was very stingy. As I got older and started to have money, I became generous. Now that I'm in my 30s with no wife, no kids, I save a lot of money and I like to share it from time to time. I buy expensive gifts for the best people in my life for special occasions, I cover dinner for people randomly if they are dear to me. I imagine if I were very wealthy I'd do little things like this from time to time, random gifts, especially for younger men who are still making it and who impress me in some way or whom I see a bit of my younger, poorer self in. Just recently one of my friends and I were in a bar and we saw a group of student guys and girls who reminded us a lot of ourselves and who got us going over fond memories of being 20, and my friend randomly decided to send over a couple of bottles of champagne to them because they're just poor students and he felt like doing it (the price tag meant nothing to him but a lot to them). No alterior motive, it's just nice to drop little generosity bombs on people from time to time when you have enough money to be like that. My friend will also leave huge tips randomly if the waiter or waitress is especially nice and genuine, we're talking 200% tips.

You showed a genuine interest in the guy and he probably had a good time talking to you. He came away feeling good, and just wanted to show it in some way. He's probably quite rich or has contacts in the watch industry and just felt generous that day. Lots of rich guys are probably like that.

I think the world would be a much better place if more people did this! Make sure to pass it on when you are in a good financial position.

[–]Fiendorfoes0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I’m sure it was a genuine gift, I feel like you’d be smart enough to know if there were any implications wether hidden or apparent. If your really worried about it though, don’t use the watch yet, just hold onto it, and if this guy comes back being weird then politely give it back, but if you only see him every now and then and it’s as a customer and nothing more than polite convo, then I’d say he was genuinely being nice and may not have children around to spoil anymore...

[–]downvotesanimals0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

The fuck is this, show and tell?

[–]VojvodaSrpski0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Well to be honest a $4 watch if it’s Quartz or digital definitely tells more accurate time than any mechanical watch, so that’s definitely not the point.

Haute horologerie watches definitely are an art in some way. 50 years ago before there were any quartz watches, mechanical watches were the very peak of human ingenuity and engineering, thousands of microscopic parts working in harmony to tell accurate time and they last for decades even centuries and all that you can carry on your wrist. I personally think it would be foolish to abandon this marvelous technology that took more than 500 years to perfect just because there’s a cheaper and more accurate alternative.

[–]lozboss0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

He wants your ass OP. Lube up.

[–]Livecrazyjoe0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

How is this red pill related. Some of you guys over think and analyze to much. Nice guy gave you a watch. Big deal say thank you and move on.

[–]loliamsobroke-1 points0 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

In my experience there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Also, now you’re in his debt. No matter how you look at it a man spent $300 on you just because? Doesn’t make any sense.

Either way just play it cool and try to give back something of equivalent value. This could also be a start of a great friendship.

You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea.

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