Few people would have accepted Bitcoin in that amount 10 years ago, especially considering that the Mt.Gox case was still fresh and the price had dropped from $1100 to only about $200. I remember that time well because that's when I bought my first BTC and the people I talked to about told me it was a scam and to sell them as soon as possible.

I don't blame anyone who turned down the offer then, because there are those who would still turn it down today. According to some statistics, only about 5% of people are in some way involved in cryptocurrencies, and of that number even less directly in BTC.