I am usually asked by people how much my bike costs or this and that costs. Recently a guy who wants to get into cycling more and graduate from his 70's era Kent road bike asks me how much as a complete system............Meaning bike, shorts, jersey, gloves, etc. So I say to him, as you see me and my bike roughly $4500.00. Well, after gasping he said holy sh$#.
In which I replied, you can go alot more or alot less and you get what you pay for. I just happened to have my tommaso CF DA equipped bike, assos socks, descent stratos shorts, pearl izumi jersey, lg carbon gloves, shimao 215 racing shoes, blah, blah. Winter time would have really blown him away....All assos.

He did calm down and accepted the fact that to participate as an avid cyclist, the cost is within reality of what I have. Maybe not rude and is good to ask.