Anyone come across this statement? especially when you are in the consulting and trade profession... so you keep your Ferrari ownership a secret..
Really a strange phenomenon. If you have a new 5 series BMW it would cost more, yet you won't not let everyone know ..
I don't take the risk, so I will drive it to my office, but not to client sites or meetings. Clients don't know I have one. Everybody in my office and office park knows I have one though.
I don't mention it at work. Only a few people know. Why does everyone have to know? The way I see it... bringing it to work would be like eating a dry aged steak with garlic mashed potatos and braised herbs at a soup kitchen. It's just not good manners. It's also like when a friend tells everyone about his trip to Disneyland in Orlando and how much fun his family had... you don't then top that by recanting your trip around the world.. it's tacky. While most new cars here at work cost more than my 360, for those who have to make do with more modest transportation.. it's just not good manners to flaunt in any way.
You're absolutely right. They shouldn't flaunt their more expensive vehicles in front of the very employer who enables them to pay for those vehicles. Hopefully they have the good taste to at least park them out of sight so your patients aren't forced to see how grossly overpaid your employees are. It's a very strange world we're living in these days...
I hear you. I share with car friends...people with a similar passion. I find it odd that if someone buys a cottage or 2nd home or boat, the general population sees that as normal but a Ferrari for 1/2 or 1/4 that cost comes w a stigma.
ROFL Curt! DisneyLAND is in Anaheim, CA. DisneyWORLD is in Orlando!!! Just goes to show how much time you've done there! Added caveat: If you're the owner of the company (like me) and your employees don't seem to mind it (like mine), then the risk of driving the F-car to the office might be a little lower. This is what I do. But, like I said, even "car guy" clients of my company don't know about my Ferrari. I'd like to keep it that way.
I drive my 360 so people know I own one, can't keep it quiet, I don't brag about it but when its in the parking lot can't help them knowing. I don't feel it has ever hurt me in business dealings (likely not helped either). I have had only one client say I must be overpaid and imply he might go to someone else for the work, my reply was that I am not overpaid, I am that good and worth it. I got the job. If you are afraid to own a Ferrari, sell it.
In my business - aviation- it's called the "black porsche syndrome" - I've seen a couple of businesses badly affected when the owner turns up with something expensive, and that includes new 5 series Beemers. Also the airport where I work is in a rough part of town - anything expensive get vandalised sooner or later. For me, a late model, inexpensive Alfa or VW is just right - I can get away with that because most of my clients/contacts know I'm a car and motorsport fan. Discretion is sensible, IMO.
I'm with you Alan. We share the same vocation - unemployed! I have no guilt feelings. I don't hide my ownership of a Ferrari. After all the years of toiling, I deserve the fruits of my labour. For the most part, I receive accolades. For those few that are jealous, get a life! Driving it with a passion keeps my blood warm.
Unlike most in the DC area, I have no problem with announcing that I'm very good at what I do. But that has nothing to do with owning a 25 year old Ferrari. Owning the Ferrari is because I also don't mind admitting that I know how to drive. "Competence is elitist", but I'll continue to discriminate against incompetent mechanics, incompetent barbers, etc. .... ... while it's still legal to do so.
Someone at work commented on mine one day and all I said was, “I’m glad you can’t see my retirement accounts.”