Why Congratulations? My bah humbug question

varjag said:
Hey, am getting congratulations every birthday anniversary, and it's not something that took me much of effort..
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I would rate living for a year as slightly more difficult that buying a camera. Certainly costs more in most parts of the world.

Varjag, It isn't a very high horse as I was genuinely wanting an answer and not meaning to come off as an elitist prick. Sorry for any that took it that way.

Al, as a pro I can do the same with my gear. It makes tax time a little more bearable. As how the longevity and investment vs cost, my minolta gear has held up just as long as much of the leica gear floating around. The only maintenance was to a lens dropped from a bag. It isn't just Leica that knows how to build a camera. The do it well and with style and class second to none, and maybe that is why I get this backlash from my post. Seems like the classy people are the loudest moaners.

As for the model and level of congrats, it's an M2 with some guys name carved in the back. - What is that worth on the scale?
 
Just to clarify: is the "bah humbug" related to "question" or related to "congratulations"?

Cheers,
Uwe
 
Years ago some Leica dealers used to congratulate customers when they purchased their first Leica, so things are pretty much as they always have been!
 
I'm with Vance, actually; I don't tend to say "congratulations" when somebody buys something. If I think it's a cool/interesting thing, though, I'll say that. "Congratulations" seems to me to be more for achievement.
 
mabelsound said:
I'm with Vance, actually; I don't tend to say "congratulations" when somebody buys something. If I think it's a cool/interesting thing, though, I'll say that. "Congratulations" seems to me to be more for achievement.
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See to me that seems like a more logical response. I am all for letting people know that I like their choice of purchases. I am a classic Cadillac owner and when I go to car shows I talk to others and let them know that I like their cars by saying things like "wow, nice car" not congratulations. I thought it would be like that but I guess not.

And the Bah humbug was for the question. I knew that I would come off sounding like a holiday scrooge. I tried to lighten the load by attempting humor. Seems that many people here lack that based on the replies to the thread. People can congratulate all they want. I just was mulling over this while escaping the cold and thought others may have some insight.

thinking the congrats are due to the buyer's sudden epiphany that THAT watch is the best

Maybe it is that assumption that the buyer had an epiphany where the smugness comes in. I never had an epiphany before I bought my camera. It was just the right time and the right camera for the job that needed to be done. So far it has served me well and based on the reputation of the brand, should continue to do so for a while. To me, that is worthy of a "smart purchase" comment rather than a "congratulations"
 
It took me 30+ long years to get my 1st Leica and congratulations is a bit of understatement, btw, congratulations on your nice blog site....... I hope you don't get offended I just appreciate it.
 
"worthy of a "smart purchase" comment rather than a "congratulations"


Isn't it simply an alternative choice of words? Perhaps you are reading too much into it.
 
John Lawrence said:
Buying my first Leica was an achievement.
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OK, I can believe that. If somebody scrimped and saved and worked really hard to afford one, then that is indeed an achievement & worthy of congratulations

I bought my first Leica, an M2, a couple of months ago, and it wasn't an achievement. It was a gear purchase. But I hope it helps me to achieve something good.
 
Vance, you may be right about the smugness some have about epiphanies, but such things happen. Call them "Eureka!" moments, if you like, but I had one when I got my first 1) Canon EF SLR (the EF is the camera, not the lens type), 2) my Canonet QL17, 3) the Canon P, and now, 4) the Leica M2/M4 I picked up for cheap within two months of each other.

As for your question on rating that M2 - I'm afraid the name being crudely scratched on the back reduces your camera's worth from a "Congratulations" to a "Good for you!" Which might be good news for you! Happy whatever holiday you are about to celebrate!
 
Take that shiny new Leica and shoot some pictures of your neighbors' kids, or maybe the elderly widow down the block standing in her yard at dusk with all the Christmas decorations and brightly colored lights. Give them the prints to enjoy and share with their families. For less than the cost of a beat up Leica lens hood you can make a lot of people happy.
 
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its just a bit of fun!

its just a bit of fun!

blue4130 said:
So first off, I am not a troll. I own a Leica and selection of lenses. I don't want to start a flame war. I just question this mentality.

Someone buys a leica, Posts about a question, everyone chimes in and says "congratulations" as if the person had a baby or got a promotion at work. All he did was spend money on a piece of expensive camera gear. Why is he congratulated? Some would even say he was foolish for spending money on a camera that is outdated or not "new". Should people not say "welcome to the club" or something along those lines?

For the record, since getting my Leica, I have since put down my digital except for work related shoots (newspaper stuff).

it all reminds me of a South Park episode where one character bought a hybrid car and became smug, episode was aptly called "Smug Alert"

Vance
www.photogeek.ca
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its just a bit of fun!
 
blue4130 said:
I knew that I would come off sounding like a holiday scrooge. I tried to lighten the load by attempting humor. Seems that many people here lack that based on the replies to the thread.
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I think most of the replies have been quite funny and really demonstrate the subtle humour of many RFFers.
"Congratulations" is a standard reply when someone makes an announcement of personal importance. From what I've seen in my years here a congrats is usually a reply to a thread that begins with something like "I just got my first M6!!!". A new owner is excited so gets congratulated.
I've never received a congrats on any of my purchases because I don't announce them. I think you are reading a little bit too much into one little word.
 
photogdave said:
I think most of the replies have been quite funny and really demonstrate the subtle humour of many RFFers.
"Congratulations" is a standard reply when someone makes an announcement of personal importance. From what I've seen in my years here a congrats is usually a reply to a thread that begins with something like "I just got my first M6!!!". A new owner is excited so gets congratulated.
I've never received a congrats on any of my purchases because I don't announce them. I think you are reading a little bit too much into one little word.
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Thank you Dave, That was the exact kind of answer that I was looking for.

Al, I'll take your advice. In my neck of the woods, my camera cost more than the family made all year. Time to spread my holiday cheer and spend money on other people rather than myself.

Gilpen, good job on sticking to your guns and getting what you want. It can be a frustrating and hard thing to do. And thanks for the kudos on the site. It has been an interesting year away from the homeland.
 
Having a baby? Wow! However did you accomplish that?

Having a baby? Wow! However did you accomplish that?

blue4130 said:
So first off, I am not a troll.

Someone buys a leica, Posts about a question, everyone chimes in and says "congratulations" as if the person had a baby...
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As long as you're going super-analytical, why should you be congratulated for having a baby? Humans have been engineered for procreation over millions of years, and most people enjoy copulation anyway.

This is the Rangefinder Forum. Shut up and drink the Kool-Aid, or go someplace else. ;)
 
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