A person wearing a Rolex watch. Illustration photo by Unsplash
A few years ago, I bought a fake Rolex watch online for VND6 million (US$230), and it ended up putting me in an embarrassing situation.
The seller said it was a first-grade “authentic” replica that looked so real anyone would think it was a genuine piece.
At the time, I was immature and thought it looked cool, so I bought it to wear. I believed wearing it would make me appear more high-class and confident. Honestly, I just liked the design but could not afford the genuine version. It was contradictory to want to save money yet spend VND6 million on a counterfeit, but I did it anyway.
One day, I attended a wedding with my girlfriend. While we were chatting, an older man sitting beside us asked me for the time. I turned my wrist to check, only to discover that the watch hands had fallen off. I had to awkwardly reach for my phone instead. It was so mortifying—I wished I could disappear on the spot.
In the end, the watch did not make me look more refined or confident. My attempt at a high-class image was just as fake as the watch itself.
Many people are like I was—unable to afford real luxury items but still wanting to look the part. So they buy knockoff watches, handbags, shoes, or sunglasses. Some do it because they see others doing the same. Others are drawn in by how good these items look for the price, believing they are indistinguishable from the originals. But once someone spots the fake, the shame can be overwhelming.
These days, if I buy a watch and cannot afford something expensive, I go for a lesser-known brand—as long as it is authentic. Honestly, people’s behaviors often reflect their circumstances. When you wear or carry something that does not match your circumstances, people can often tell without even having to check.
*The opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.
