Ive been following with much amusement for some time posts that relate to advice for purchases. usually these are written by young analysts who have come out of student poverty and are asking advice to those more 'experienced' of us. I have been shocked by the replies. I have seen the words: 'swatch, argos, casio etc'This has made me reach the conclusion that the responses given are a real insight into the British culture, rather than the free opinions of a few individuals that answer with arrogance and presumption and thier classic 'know it all' attitude. What can you expect when the national dish is tikka masala? Or when people go to eat a paninI ( its paninO) ? Why cant British people speak a second language? or a third?The issue of whether British people know or not what to wear is a debate for another forum. In my opinion, its not that they dont have the knowledge of what to wear - but they lack the self respect. I have seen offices with people with miniskirts, tops that women wear in clubs, men in jeans ( coloured albeit) and people that hadn't shaven in days. The poor answers that graduates get to " please help me buy cufflinks " are just from frustrated individuals that know not what they speak. Take boxershorts for example; a mother, retired investment banker who fails to provide an honest answer to a young graduate interested in a watch. Im sure that if she hasnt lied, she earned some decent dosh in her years. Why then is she forced to preach? Or judge? Why does everyone always think that all small questions such as " what watch / suit / car / house / pen should I buty? " really mean : " please master, illuminate me with your words of wisdom? teach me how to fill my pathetic existence?"If anon asks for a watch: answer constructively. Don't tell him to go to argos you twat - im sure that if he is to become a consultant, he has figured that out. But the fact that he DOESNT want to go to argos, that he wants to buy a NICE watch, illustrates how he wants to differentiate himself from YOU and what you REPRESENT. Understand humility. And respect others. And most of all, better yourself. And i dont mean buy gold Rolex's and Montblanc's - I mean shower, shave - wear an ironed shirt. Wear deodorant. Wear a suit. Wear a LONG skirt. Learn how NOT to address people as 'love' or 'mate'. And most of all, learn how to answer a question. Or just shut up.

Bravo.

Try http://forum.top-consultant.com/US/list.aspx

Sorry. It seems the latest changes to this forum allow posts only with IE (which is somewhat ridiculous when so many more sensible users are now using other better browsers). As a result the link I posted in error was that for this forum! Try http://170.blockfsofcheese.com/about.php

Thanks for reinforcing the point. Replicas. Class man, class.

Q." please master, illuminate me with your words of wisdom? teach me how to fill my pathetic existence?"A.Understand humility. And respect others. And most of all, better yourself. And i dont mean buy gold Rolex's and Montblanc's - I mean shower, shave - wear an ironed shirt. Wear deodorant. Wear a suit. Wear a LONG skirt. Learn how NOT to address people as 'love' or 'mate'. And most of all, learn how to answer a question.

I like the way you say "respect others" just after you've called someone a twat. Classy.

Well it seems that a starting point to ameliorate the "ignorance" would be to learn to spell "cuff-links" correctly? Then there is always: http://myperfectwatches.com/

The national dish is Chicken Bhuna, not Tikka Masala so your argument falls down slightly on that point. Other than that it's spot on and I for one agree entirely.

Well, as a WOP ot ITI (and member of the Accademia della Crusca) I couldn't agree more... the usage of the word panin(I) in singular form makes me cringe...However, the entire discussion around Rolexes and Zegnas it is just pathetic...P.S. Would it be possible that I share Pirlo's interest?

Isn't the whole point of consulting that you don't have to buy a watch, you just borrow the clients if you need to tell the time???...runs for cover

I have some questions, replies and comments, in no particular order:1) I've been a consultant in London for over a year now, and worked in a Caffe Nero during my university days, so I believe I am qualified to address the panino question on behalf of the English: who cares? It's a toasted sandwich! Life goes on. 2) What's wrong with Swatch watches? They are a fun brand, the metal watches are light weight, and they are not name-dropped in gangster rap songs. 3) The responses along the lines of "go to Argos" are examples of good old British wit. Non-Brits have long struggled with the sarcasm and irony in our humour.4) The majority of young men in this country have bought Casio watches from Argos - it's like a rite of passage. The number of functions you can command on your watch is a rank of status.Meanwhile, I take issue with someone taking issue with our national dish being a type of curry. Just what exactly are you implying in that sentence? Come on - reveal the name of the Utopian state that you come from. I won't assume it's Italy just because you say "panino". Rant over. Thanks for reading.

Ill address your points in order.1) Exactly my point. You dont care. Perhaps its the anglo-saxon way of absorbing other cultures and not understanding them. You SHOULD care ( mind you the panino example is just a symptom of a greater problem). Its the same reason why when I was in wonderful costal cities of Spain, Italy and France - I see " the Red Lion" pubs - PACKED with Brits eating fries and ordering pints of larger. Its a culutral ignorance thing. You dont see french cafe's serving fois gras in Chelmsford, do you? Why do you have this innate assumption of superiority within you - without realising that thanks to colonialism and immigration the Eglish culture is almost completely dissolved. 2) There is nothing wrong with Swath watches. I have had a few myself. As there is nothing wrong with having a Rolex, or a Patek. 3) The 'go to argos' sentences - i disagree. I believe some people were being honest. And thats just sad. 4) I grew up in this country and I, nor anyone of my friends, have eer had any Casio watches in our 20's. The watch IS a right of passage - but usually I noticed that with the first paycheck one decides to immediately upgrade the plastic for, say, perhaps a 40£ Seiko. I will not tell you where I am from - just that I am half British. You are just looking for fire to fuel some pathetic counter argument about my country - which is not the issue here - is it? Being raised in England, with a citizenship - and paying 40% taxes for 15 years - gives me the right to complain! :)

Apple Man,You certainly whinge like an Englishman so I for one believe you.BR

Apple Schmapple! I have never read such crap, I know a great consultant who is renowned in his field because of the work he has done in a 30+ year global career and I noticed yesterday that he wears what must be an £8 Casio.My point being that to be a great consultant you don't need to follow the suit/pen/watch/car crowd. If you do that's fine, but it's a personality matter rather than a consulting industry one.Let there be choice. Be individual, make up your own mind. Substance before style!

Just been in a meeting with one of our partners... he has very hairy hands but then I noticed he had a pink scar on the back, like a recent burn.It was when he moved his hand that I realised that what had caused / was causing this was the crown on his absolutely massive IWC watch!These are not cheap... and now he can only bend his wrist about 30 degrees. Way to go

Apple ManYou make some clever points and some funny points. You also make some rather stupid points.For example you use the term ‘Eglish culture’. Now bearing in mind that you raised the subject, and failed to spell it adequately, does this not stink of small minded hypocrisy? You point out it is helpful to know how to spell panino. Alright, but why not also attempt to spell basic words in English? You are the one asking why people don’t speak more languages. Whatever your take on English food it does no harm to distinguish ‘bread and butter pudding’ on a menu rather than say dismissing it as ‘bed and batter pudding’, even if you only ever use it as an avoidance tactic. English cooking may not be a world cuisine. It does help though to have some understanding of other foods. You will struggle to find anywhere in the world that offers more diversity of international food. I’m sure you are well aware that you can survive in the UK without having to eat only one particular food. So why do you need to mock it? Take your attack on one of the forum contributors. You ask “Why does everyone always think that all small questions such as "what watch / suit / car / house / pen should I buty?" really mean…." teach me how to fill my pathetic existence?"I really disagree with you and don’t think everyone does think in the way that you describe. It is also broadly insulting to everyone on the forum and creates a thread that lacks any real consulting substance …oh buty-ful one!

The hypocracy you are capable of crammiing into every one of your posts is astounding.As mentioned earlier by 'Ring-a-ding...', what watch/cufflinks you buy has no bearing whatsoever on your ability as a consultant, or your chances to get a graduate position. It is a matter of personality and taste, and certainly doesn't warrant an extended rant on the British culture!!You talk of respecting others, yet show no respect whatsoever to others or an entire culture for that matter.You criticise the British for their so-called superiour manner, yet you seem to adopt the 'high-horse' attitude when criticising the British culture/others on this forum.You seem to have a massive problem with the British. You use a ridiculous question about what brand of CUFFLINKS to buy, to launch into a bitter criticism of the English culture.Please leave out your sweeping generalisations, and look at the question for what it really is, rather than twisting them into an opportunity to address the chip on your shoulder.

Mike, spot on!

Who gives a toss wht u wear - do your job well. if you're a fashion consultant then dress nice.

Longmire on Sloane Street does some lovely cufflinks, but I feel with my answer I'm missing the point of this thread.

Well spotted.There are also non-fashion industry clients that do care what consultants wear, amongst other things.They should not be ignored by the consulting industry.

I don't get it.Apple man, your rant may make perfect sense to many, but don't make assumptions about the reasons for peoples' beliefs. You value watches, cuff-links and getting the correct noun-endings. Others value other things. I, for one, value my evenings and weekends, I value the quality of my work and I value the fact that my clients don't see me as flash, arrogant and pretentious.This is different to your view, but is not wrong. It is also not a reason for you to criticise British culture. I deplore much of what we Brits have created, but would not be so arrogant and superior to suggest that anyone with a view at odds with my own is giving "an insight into the British culture". It's just bizarre.I for one am secure in not needing so-called status symbols to validate my existence.

What??!!!!!!DEAR APPLE MAN:I read your post with some bemusement. Primarily trying to make sense of it - your prose leaves something to be desired for such a self-proclaimed paragon of the English language. My bemusement fast became consternation. Then I went and read my own post (22246, for your reference) to which yours must be a response.I conclude that your note is a very personal, and unfounded, attack on me.Weird.If you read my post, you will notice a couple of things:1. I suggested that you don't need an expensive watch to be a good consultant. I said that as long as it keeps time accurately and doesn't look cheap or like a kid's toy it's fine. What, exactly, is wrong with a £50 Swatch or Seiko or Citizen?2. I suggested that you don't need an expensive suit to be a good consultant. Decent cloth, decent cut and make sure it's clean are what matters in the scheme of things. Make sure it suits you. M&S or some such is perfectly fine.3. These are the only things I've said about it in my post. Go to Argos? Where did I say that? Calling people "love" and "mate". What colour is the sky on your planet?I don't believe my post was preachy at all (though your post above seems to do enough of that for most of us).I also believe that I did, in fact, respond accurately to the original question. "fails to provide an honest answer" indeed! What post are you looking at?Now, on to other matters.You called me a twat! More pertinently, you suggested that I am a liar!!! I am offended by this and seriously NOT IMPRESSED. I don't expect an apology, though, since I doubt you have a clue - ergo, an apology from you would be rather pointless.As some of the other contributors here know, I'm all for a good, substantiated argument. Yours, however, doesn't quite cut the mustard. Now allow me to 'illuminate you' with some words of wisdom: next time you want to attack something (a) get your facts straight and (b) make sense.For your elucidation, I actually wear a Citizen Ecodrive watch. I have suits from M&S, I have off the peg brand name suits, and I have bespoke (i.e. made for me) suits. I enjoy wearing them all. By the way, in addition to English, I speak Dutch and passable Spanish.Now, perhaps you could clarify for me what exactly it is that I supposedly REPRESENT.As for your input, Pirlo: "bravo" what?

Boxershorts.That was a long, considered response. Great use of bench time.Twit.

Apfelmann; spot on.Boxershorts; chump.

Twit? Chump? What happened to respecting others?Benchtime? Actually I'm on holiday.That's it. I'm out. No point.

It's because they're threatened by people whose views differ.Children.

Now this is a strange thread. Boxershorts gets singled out and attacked for something he/she didn't actually do. A lot of folks jump on the bandwagon and carry on. Boxershorts responds in self-defence (and in a rather balanced way, all things considered) and gets pilloried.Bizarre doesn't even begin to cover it. I remeber Boxer's earlier post about "cheap shots and big egos" or whatever. This is a great example.In my experience, Boxer's comments are often good value. Apple Strudle's comments in this post don't compute.Also, Pirlo seems to have some sort of dislike for Boxershorts, probably on the strength of Boxer nailing him/her over a very stupid comment a while back. Ah, vendettas. Where would we be without them.I hope Boxershorts isn't being literal with the "I'm out of here" comment ...

Agree with Bonzer. Odd one.

... and as yet no response from the Apples or Pirlo or Pedro about what Boxer's done wrong.

Boxer come back.

I just read through this thread and it has made me quite depressed.Apple man - you seem to be quite a balanced person - you have a chip on both shoulders. Get off this forum and get a life.

Whats all this appalling commontion over a watches, suits cufflinks and ingnorance- go to Sloane or Bond street and get it sorted out!! BTW no Harvy Nicks or Harrods- thats for the lesser mortals-I hope this solves all the problems

what a bloddy barrage of spelling errors- but never mind if i got themessage through

... and still no Boxershorts.