Do You Ask People How Much They Paid For Something?

What do you think about asking people what they paid for something? Their car, hotel, engagement ring? I’m often one of those who compulsively announces the brand, store location and price tag of what I’m wearing as my follow up to a complement. I like to include when I bought the item-in case it is still in stores and available. If it’s not, I’ll suggest things like Amazon.com or eBay. My dad would crack up when my mom would do this. She would “show off” to us about how “no one would ever know this item cost so little,” and then spill the beans immediately when someone would compliment her on it. 

This white Patagonia jacket is basically a second skin on me. I can attest to the Patagonia brand quality because this thing should be in shreds based on the number of wears and washes it’s had. I consider it to be “expensive” for a “sweatshirt.” It was $149 (plus crazy Washington state sales tax). You can find it HERE. It is one of the best $149 I’ve spent on a single item though. I could quickly add up $149 of shirts I don’t wear that are sitting in my dresser.

So something like this jacket is pretty easy to look up as far as price but sometimes people ask me directly what I paid for something. If it is an item that is “inexpensive” to me or something that is a good value (this jacket above) I have no problem spilling the beans. If it is something “frivolous/expensive” AKA something I probably thought about buying for 2 years, saved for it and then felt dizzyingly guilty and happy about buying, then I’m really hesitant to share! 

If I’m the kind of person who spent X on something crazy, will it be OK with my friends if I “can’t” go on an expensive trip with them, buy them expensive gifts, want to have separate checks, donate to a friend’s charity? These are the considerations I have before unleashing a big price tag on someone. When I hear a “crazy” price tag from someone else, of course it comes with some kind of judgement and questioning: wow, where did that money come from, can they afford that? In the end though I see the separation between them buying something and how it affects me-ie. spending money with me.