"People like having stuff, and stuff is good for people" (Steinhauer 3).
I completely agree with this statement, 100%. There’s just something about buying a new DVD, a nice dinner, or even a round of drinks for friends that just makes me feel better about myself. Splurging is therapeutic for me. It raises my spirits, it brings me out of depressed moods.
Maybe it’s that “safety net” protecting me, the idea that I do have money to fall back on during rougher stretches. Maybe it’s the feeling I get when I spend entirely too much money on a Lacoste Polo, the feeling that people know how expensive these shirts are. The feeling that people notice me for the money I have in my bank account. Whatever it is, it feels good to splurge on things. Things that aren’t necessary but I still have the opportunity to buy them. It feels good having a flat-screen television and shelves lined with DVDs. Call me shallow, but I like having nice things. Its my therapy.
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I think what that quote means is that "stuff" is a sign of status. So in a way, it is good for people to be able to want nicer stuff as an attempt to perhaps move into a different status than their own. Or at least appear as if they are in a different status. The idea of appearing as if you are in a different status is very common. It always reminds me of the irony of discount stores like T.J.Maxx or Marshalls. Places where designer items are sold at a fraction of the cost. Isn't part of the importance of owning a Coach bag or Gucci sunglasses is that you had enough money to pay for it at what people think is full price. I can't really imagine a person look at someone's clothing and the first thing they think is "He/She didn't pay full price for that." You just assume they did. I just find it slightly ironic that the purpose of having nice things is that you have the big bucks to spend on it...but in reality you just had the street smarts to wait until they went on sale.
ReplyDelete(as a disclaimer: I often shop at these places! So I understand the satisfaction of paying less than someone else paid full price for! haha)