Gurgaon employee reveals how receptionist mocked them for not owning an iPhone; Redditors respond with bold retorts

Time of India

27-04-2025

In the world of consumerism, nothing seems to be more tightly linked with status than the smartphone we carry. A recent Reddit post in the r/gurgaon subreddit highlighted this very issue when a seemingly innocent interaction between a worker and a receptionist turned into an unexpected moment of embarrassment. The post, which quickly gained traction among other netizens, offers a fascinating glimpse into the sometimes shallow perceptions that can surface when we compare the gadgets we carry.
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The Embarrassing Phone Comparison
The Redditor, who works in Gurgaon and enjoys a decent salary, shared his experience at the office when a receptionist made a casual but jarring comment about his phone. The conversation began innocuously, with the receptionist asking about the price of the Redditor's phone. Upon hearing that it cost ₹12,000, the receptionist's response was blunt: 'Mostly, everyone here has an
iPhone
. Aap bhi lelo ek." But what followed was even more unexpected: the receptionist proudly declared that his own phone was 'costlier than mine,' before laughing it off.
While the receptionist's comment was likely meant as a lighthearted quip, it left the Redditor feeling embarrassed. 'It was just embarrassing lol,' he admitted, revealing how a simple conversation about smartphones had quickly become a moment of discomfort.
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The post shared by the Reddit user on the r/gurgaon subreddit has taken netizens by storm, with people offering varied reactions to the incident.
The Internet Weighs In
As often happens on Reddit, other users were quick to share their opinions, with a variety of reactions flooding in. Some commenters shared their own takes on dealing with such situations, turning this individual exchange into a broader discussion about status, appearances, and personal values.
One user chimed in with a humorous but insightful response: 'I always show myself as gareeb. It gives me internal pleasure.' This comment highlights how some people prefer to downplay their material possessions to avoid being judged or making comparisons based on wealth.
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Another netizen suggested the Redditor not take the situation too seriously: 'No need to get embarrassed. Rather smile at the foolishness.' This response points to the idea that material possessions shouldn't define self-worth, and that one can take a lighthearted approach to such comments.
The Danger of Superficial Perceptions
One commenter took a more critical view of people who place too much emphasis on luxury phones, saying, 'I feel like they have spent money on luxury when they really can't afford it. My perception on them is that they are too superficial.' This opinion reflects the growing awareness of how
social media and consumer culture
fuel the desire to project an image of wealth and success, often at the cost of financial well-being.
Similarly, another user gave a nod to the practicality of modest choices, stating: 'I have seen people who handle business in lakhs and keep a simple phone that does all the work.' The message here is clear—it's not about the price tag but about what the phone can actually do.
Real Relationships Beyond the Screen
In a particularly poignant comment, a user shared a personal story about her husband, who was the CTO and founder of a company. 'When I dated my husband, he came on our first date with a broken screen redmi phone, and honestly, I liked him on the very first date. Today, we are married, and he has an iPhone 15 Pro Max, which he only uses for taking my photos. Haha, otherwise, a small Samsung phone for everyday use." This comment not only humanizes the issue but reminds us that real relationships and meaningful connections are based on far more than the gadgets we carry.
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The Bigger Picture: How We Define Ourselves
The interaction and subsequent reactions underscore a deeper question: How much weight should we place on material possessions, especially when they're used as a measure of our worth or success? While it's easy to get caught up in the cycle of comparisons, especially in a culture that often values the external over the internal, many are learning that it's the character, integrity, and authenticity we display that ultimately matter most.
As the Reddit post demonstrates, what we carry in our hands doesn't define who we are. A phone, after all, is just a tool. Whether it's a luxury model or an affordable one, it serves a single purpose: communication. And as the stories and advice shared by netizens remind us, the best connections are made not through the screens we stare at, but through the people we choose to be.
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