DO like I do, either have the Varsity FPs handy, or a ballpoint. Then just say, "Oh, most folks aren't used to Fountain Pens, here use this one...."
thats the thing, i really really dislike the whole gold and black colour scheme, i think that the only company that can get away with it is mont blanc, and only becuase of tradition, on any other company it looks like a gift pen from a traveling salesman,