Does 'i like your shoes/dress/whatever' mean 'where did you get said item'?

[Perplexing]

Occasionally someone will say this to me - and I always say ' oh thanks, it's old' or just 'thanks!'

The other day, when I complimented someone on their top, the reply simply shot back '£8 - Asda'...

This left me slightly flummoxed.

Help de-code dear MNers.

Amazinggg - are you me?! The same thing happened to me once too, DH was with me and blurted out 'Mulberry' while I would have been vague.

That really annoyed and embarrassed me. He has no tact at all.

I know what you mean about that silly feeling you shouldn't be shopping in charity shops though - although you are helping a good cause the same as anyone else. I totally understand where you are coming from though. It can sometimes feel mean to take a bargain from someone who can't afford to pay more when you can! (But only if I am in a magnanimous mood!)

Thanks all for further advice btw!

If its a female friend and she has that questioning tone in her voice I always say thanks, its from so and so. But only if its somewhere cheap! Otherwise it feels like bragging for some reason. Other people I just say thanks but usually they'll follow up with "where's it from" ime.

I have no issues with someone telling me that it's expensive and they paid ££££ for it. It's not my thing to spend on high end designer but I just murmur something like "oh, it's lovely quality" or something like that, after all you can appreciate it without necessarily wanting to buy it.

My secretary loves high end and we frequently discuss clothes etc, this week she came back from holiday and was really keen to show me a cocktail ring she'd bought in Milan, so that she could tell me that it was £8 from a market. Mostly I think people just love sharing bargains (smile)

Sometimes.

Sometimes not.

HTH

:)

I am interested in clothes. If a friend or colleague is wearing something I like and I want to know where they got it, I ask directly. As others say, I would never ask the cost.
When complimented on something I am wearing, I just say thank you. I may add a comment about it being new or old or if it was a real bargain.

I think you are overthinking it. If someone compliments what I am wearing I choose to tell them where I bought it, after thanking them of course.

Keztrel - yes it can feel like bragging which is why I sometimes feel uncomfortable.

MissBee - I would never offer information on the cost of an item - especially not if £££. Any one woman's £££ is another's £. Agree it's fun to share bargain finds.

The point of the thread was to gauge how many people would hope / expect to be told where the item was bought. The comment in my OP about it being £8 was something of a red herring I guess. But it did rather add to the confusion. I would never say - of these shoes are from Russell & Bromley and they cost £££.

The 'ebay tip' is a good one for being vague if the situation feels awkward.

Yes, those asking who might be interested (rather than just a passing compliment) I would usually offer the shop and/or price and/or other information as part of the conversation.

Almost everything I buy is a total bargain but if it was something expensive I might say 'oh I decided to treat myself for once' or 'I bought this for a wedding/party/whatever' and provide some other information. Don't think I would mention the price though!