For me it was a female coworker complimenting my Q50 Redsport. Interned at a 3 letter fed agency last summer and one of the other interns who I became friendly with was a mid 20’s former sorority girl - someone you’d never expect to be a car enthusiast. Gave her a ride after work one day since her car was in the shop and immediately after walking up to my car in the garage, started complimenting it. Talked about the VR30TT engine and asked me if the turbos were giving me any trouble, then talked a little shit about how it’s still slower than her car. I asked her what she drove and she had an M2 lol
Picking up my 9 year old son from summer camp, he climbs into his seat, buckles up, then turns to the camp counselor before closing the door:
“It’s an Alfa Romeo…”
13 year old counselor: “…Woah.”
That smile stayed on my face for days.
Honestly I’ve gotten a bit attached to the weird triangle grills as of late. I actually drive by a Alfa Dealer every once and a while and wondered if it would be the kind of car I might want to have one day.