What’s something that screams ‘I’m broke, but trying to look rich’

[Booyakashaa]

Saw thing on Instagram threads, mostly Americans, would love to see what MN’ers think

Just for fun

I think…anything Michael Kors

I honestly think people take these threads too seriously.

It’s not that deep.

Of course it is! We are driven by status whether we want it or not, and so much of status signaling is done by consumption. Whole economy would look very different if it wasn't so serious.

This is a mean spirited thread

I knew a lot was fake because of all the fake backgrounds you can buy, but wasn't aware of much else, ie fantasy posting.

I think it's disingenuous to suggest anyone buying an LV bag with the branding stamped all over it is doing for any reason other than the perceived status it gives them.

And I'd say the same about (for instance, but there are many more examples) some of the horrid sludgy colour farrow &ball paint colours people pretended to like because it was the MC colour of the season.

@MiracleCures because people like things you don’t, such as “horrid sludgy f&b colours” they can’t really like them, they must be pretending? My goodness, that is quite an ego!!

What makes you think because someone has bought a bag they like or a car that they're doing it for the recognition of others? Projecting much?

Could it be - gasp - that they just happen to like those things and that it's down to them what they spend their money on, after all they've worked for them.

Jealousy is a really ugly look. How about people just do them and let others do them. You don't know anything about the life of someone with an expensive handbag or car etc 🙄 How judgy is this thread?

Do you think it's only you that really likes things and everyone else is pretending. Extreme main character syndrome here.

Not at all, but it's well known that people are very susceptible to buying things because of what they signify . It's hardly a novel concept.

And I am not suggesting that everything everyone buys is for that reason, but there are certain things that can only be really explained as being popular for what they signify rather than any Intrinsic quality.

Indeed

Certainly none of the rich i know - including those with titles- are slobbing about in ancient tweed as a matter of course.

it’s all Chanel handbags, charity lunches, should I get a license for the chopper, who’s going to the island for NY, Brunello and Lora knits, can’t believe the neighbours are being twats about the basement (in my terrace), look what I picked up in Jessica McCormack…..etc etc

Are you the same poster who started a thread recently,y about food trends people ‘were pretending to like’? It was absolutely fascinating. That poster genuinely appeared to think that if she didn’t like avocados or matcha, no one else could possibly like them — as if they lacked theory of mind.

I have never contemplated owning any variety of designer bag, but I’m typing this in a room painted in a sludgy F and B colour that I genuinely like. Other rooms in my house are painted in different sludgy colours from different paint companies. And my dad was a bin man. I have no middle-class credentials whatsoever.

Agree, yet feel the need to share that the WORST offender I've ever known is a man. He lives off his father's money (the father's lovely) while pursuing a fantasy career, and lacks the wit to cover his material snobbery with any kind of subtlety.

I used to try baiting him but, due to the aforementioned lack of wit, it wasn't fun.

I think lots of people are legitimately only purchasing what’s in front of them.

if you spend half your life flitting between airports and Capri, Gstaad & Monaco or the flower show, Art Basel and le salon you tend to shop if the stores that are available to you. And that’s not Next and Boden.

Exactly this - as if they haven't developed theory of mind, absolutely bizarre.

Nope.. although I am fairly sure some people do that too.

But people sometimes aren't aware of their own motivations, selecting signifiers can be a fairly unconscious process.

And just because you just picked colours because you liked them, doesn't mean that is what motivates others.

A huge chunk of our economy is founded on the knowledge people will buy stuff to show off,.or to fit in... We'd have a far happier planet and a far more miserable retail sector if that didn't happen

It's more fascinating that you haven't understood economics,.or marketing. The fact that people purchase products as signifiers has been very well established.

Not entirely true.
Veblen goods tend to achieve their status through quality and history.

😂👏

That post irritated me more than most, for some reason. Your solid oak, French polished, antique table marks more easily than one with a polymer-infused or varnished oak veneer. If you aren't bothered about protecting the antique, it's because signs of use add to the patina - and, importantly, you or your staff repair it frequently using the right techniques with the proper products.

I'd agree with the PP's granny that coasters are naff, though: I admit to my own bits of irrational snobbery!

Too broke for a £12,000 handbag but not for a £600 one, apparently 😳

Omg yes the whole ‘real rich people walk round in stinky fleeces with a crusty dog and battered car’ 🤣

Sometimes people aren’t aware of their own motivations? Have you considered this may be an issue for you?

Of course, I am sure it applies to pretty much everyone to varying degrees

Well unfortunately your attitude of “people who like things I don’t are pretending” doesn’t reflect that. At all.

I think this is a bit stereo typing people and it’s not quite that straight forward. I’ve got an Audi (brand mentioned upthread) and I bought it new (double sin!) but it’s not because I want to pretend to be rich - we’re pretty average - it’s not a Porsche after all! I just like how it drives and I like to buy a car new and keep it forever - well at least 10 years until they cost too much to repair.

At least in our farming county, I do think genuinely “old moneyed” people tend to be slightly less into makeup / nails etc but other than that I can’t say I see many things that highlight people as poor, pretending to be rich or truly rich! And even the makeup thing is a generalisation which I can think of several exceptions for.