World, Writing, Wealth discussion
Wealth & Economics
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Vertu - sheek or bling?
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I have never understood the need to have anything so outrageously costly or flashy. I know wealthy people like to show off their wealth and it sickens me, given the financial crisis we are in. If we were wealthy or won the lottery, we would help family, friends, animals, homeless, veterans, cancer and disease research, and so many others, I cannot name them all. I don't mean to sound like a communist, but in my opinion the excessively wealthy have a responsibility to share. Some do, but most don't. Sad.
Well, here we go. A topic that strikes a chord and definitely won't make me any friends... *sigh*@Miss Sue: It saddens me that you've had the misfortune of crossing paths with such pretentiously wealthy people. I'm sorry for your negative experience and hope you won't let this cloud your judgment of others. Because from my experience, it is not the norm at all.
Disclaimer: Just my own thought process. Obviously.
I'm good friends (in real life) with many self-made entrepreneurs who do quite well for themselves and truth be told, they are the most humble people I know. I don't see them show off. EVER. Quite the opposite, actually. Plus, they always work their tails off and never complain. That gains mad respect from this girl.
Imho, nobody has a responsibility to share anything. This is not to say they shouldn't. But what makes me cringe is the entitlement mentality that believes in all-for-one-and-one-for-all. I can tell you this from personal experience: The majority of folks aren't willing to show up and play the game, but they're all for the free food at the after-party. Very few people want to put in the blood, sweat, and tears (And who can blame them, right? It freakin' sucks!!) But everyone and their dog wants a piece of the spoils.
I've done a TON of charity work. Fitness events for Breast Cancer and MADD, model calendars for local sports clubs, volunteer work for the Sexual Assault Center (both in-person and hotline). The list goes on and on. I'm not trying to "show off" here. Nor am I a selfless person. Truth be told, I'm very selfish. It makes ME happy. It's as much (if not more) for me as for the cause I'm supporting.
And guess what? I also own two vehicles. Is that one too many? Sure. Do I need a stupid convertible where it snows 1/2 the year? No. Am I ever gonna apologize for my frivolous purchase? Absolutely freakin' not!
1. I earned every last penny
2. I've also pawned every single thing I own and eaten ramen for months-on-end to make things work. And been called irresponsible. And reckless. And crazy.
Nothing is as clear as it seems to the naked eye. Or as simple, for that matter. Everyone struggles. It's just that some don't choose to verbalize those struggles.
Whoa...this is long...oops...stopping now...
*runs away*
Hugs,
Ann
EDIT: Aiya! Didn't even answer the OP haha. Sorry, Mr Nik! Personally, I'm not much of a tech-person. So, nope, I won't be running out to buy the next new gadget the day it's released. With that being said, if I ever do have a change of heart and decide to spend excessive amounts of moolah on a phone? I sure ain't gonna apologize for it ^_~
Annie wrote: "Well, here we go. A topic that strikes a chord and definitely won't make me any friends... *sigh*@Miss Sue: It saddens me that you've had the misfortune of crossing paths with such pretentiously ..."
there's a book (it is a book site after all), The Millionaire Next Door, that describes people like Ann and her completely, absolutely, positively pretentious, lazy, and entitled ilk.
(was that sufficiently over-the-top and obvious? i was disappointed that no one seemed to like my "broad appeal" pun in the other thread.)
seriously, though, it's a good book. basically, your plumber could be a "millionaire".
there are "rich" people and celebrities who flash around their money and the media focuses on them and we celebrate them. that is human nature: we admire the rich and powerful and how will we know otherwise unless we see it?
however, as rational beings, to understand true reality, in general, we should avoid generalizations. so, i'd avoid generalizing that the majority of "rich" people flaunt their wealth, but at the same time i'd also avoid generalizing that the majority of people want to get something for nothing. there are many people who are historically disenfranchised.
as in most things, the truth lies somewhere along the middle path and in the particulars of an individual's circumstances.
O-ho, didn't even suspect luxury can cause such a debate-:) More than a coup in Turkey or other controversial issues.I suspect you might similarly dislike those who show off flashy expensive toys and equally respect those self-made entrepreneurs earning their wealth through hard labor and taking risks and spending it however they want.
It's just about the phone here-:)
I'll probably refer though more elaborately to some of the points at some later stage though-:)
Liked the broad appeal, Alex, no worries-:)
@Mr Alex: I hear ya, buds. I appreciate your level-headedness ^_~Nik wrote: "I suspect you might similarly dislike those who show off flashy expensive toys"
Umm. No, sir, I most certainly do not. Why would I?
Dude 1: Hey, Ann! I bought a Ford Focus today!!
Dude 2: Hey, Ann! I bought an Audi R8 today!!
Why is one considered "showing off" while the other isn't? Simply because of a different standard of living? No one gets to decide that for another person. We all get to decide our own. And earn it.
If you have a car at all - even a beater - you most likely wouldn't be too excited about getting a bus pass, eh? Does that mean you're flaunting your beater in the face of the kid who doesn't drive? It's all perspective, imho. One person's meh is another person's amazeballs.
Hugs because I really sound like such an a** right now,
Ann
P.S. - Nothing wrong with a Focus! Although I will admit, the R8 is a sweeeeeet ride!! *blushes*
OH, Crap! I did it again. (smacking my head hard) Wrote before I thought... AGAIN!! Sorry to All. (backing out of the room and shutting the door)Regarding the phone, my concern would be losing it or breaking it by accident.
Sue (Dog Mom) wrote: "OH, Crap! I did it again. (smacking my head hard) Wrote before I thought... AGAIN!! Sorry to All. (backing out of the room and shutting the door)"ROFLMAO!!! Where the heck do you think you're going? Come back here, woman!!
Seriously, though, why are you apologizing? You said absolutely nothing wrong. At all. We just have a difference of opinion. We ARE allowed to do that. In fact, it's one of life's greatest gifts. Well, at least one of the funnest (totes not a word haha) ^_~
Hugs Miss Sue,
Ann
EDIT: Today's not a good day for spelling... *sigh*
(peeking out from under my large rock (can't breath. cough, cough))Annie, OK, Thank you. Hugs, Sue
(slams rock back on fat head)
*laughs till a little pee comes out**wipes away tear**pours 2 glasses of milk*Care to join me, ma'am?
That's more of a Saturday mood-:)But since I've already written something (on the cell phone, which is a lot of trouble), i guess I'll share:
You really like show-off, Annie?-:)
I don't think it's about an object, it's about how someone behaves about it. One can have a private jet and be cool about it and another can have a Vertu phone bought for 20grand and take it out every 5 minutes just for others to see and boast how expensive and exclusive it is. Can be annoying.
Didn't think that any Audi can be something to show off with. Kinda modest. Maybach I can understand-:).
I personally don't connect well with a sheer consumerism culture and entirely material benchmark for what you are. But have nothing against those who value those things. After all, the expensive paraphernalia is designed to impress someone-:). There were times elsewhere that to be considered a businessman you needed to have 10k cash minimum at any time in your wallet. Really? That's what defines a businessman?. I don't think parliament members should compete who has a more expensive watch on the wrist with a 'decent' minimum starting at 50k.
I've no problem with anyone buying a yacht for 50 mil or 100mil and I might enjoy a journey. I totally respect those who made these fortunes, through labor, wit, risk or any decent means, even lottery. I would be more doubtful (to put it mildly) about those who employ 'other' means, avoid their share of taxes, neglect the environment, his/her own employees and so on.
The source matters, in my opinion, not the status. And the use to some degree matters too, in a sense whether the fortune is used for something productive, neutral/personal or negative, like bribes or 'killing' the competition
Annie wrote: "*laughs till a little pee comes out**wipes away tear**pours 2 glasses of milk*Care to join me, ma'am?"
C... c... can I may please have a... cookie?
Nik wrote: "That's more of a Saturday mood-:)"Hahahaha, dude! You can either have dorky-Ann or all-business-Ann. There's really not much in between *glib smirk*
You make some very good points. Truthfully, I think the news and media have skewed the general pop's perspective in regards to wealth. Negative sells better than positive, eh? Again, I've found most successful business owners to be incredibly decent people. They seem to understand the concept of "No man is an island" and value their employees a great deal for that reason. They also tend to have a vision much bigger than themselves. Legacy and all that. But whatevs, I'm basing that on a limited cross-section XD
Hugs,
Ann
P.S. - Yeah, I dig me an R8 or Vanquish over flashier rides any day of the week. What can I say? I'm a sleek luxury type of girl *smirks*
P.P.S. - Miss Sue, I've baked an extra dozen just for us. Hope you brought your snuggie ^_~
Annie, I'm wearing jammies and brought my blankie and teddy bear.Hugs, Sue
Yeeeeah!!! *hangs up NO BOYS ALLOWED sign* Slumber party!!!!
Annie wrote: "Truthfully, I think the news and media have skewed the general pop's perspective in regards to wealth. Negative sells better than positive, eh? ..."Media is a watchdog, sometimes inaccurate, tendentious, spotlighting negative, but that's because negative is more sensational, interesting. 'Pravda' reported all good, but how did that help?-:)
With further concentration of luxury in the hands of the richest man in Europe: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/25/in... , I guess we can return and ask about your attitude to luxurious accessories and brands. Do you see value in famous brands, beyond pretense and show-off? Would you go for a luxurious item rather than regular or modest?
I can't afford luxurious, but I'm practical and wouldn't pay $200 for a t-shirt if I could afford it. In my area in the South, there are many plantations, and the owners who come from old money are known for their plain, even rather shabby, dress. It's a kind of reverse ostentation. Showing off your wealth is a no-no.
Luckily, there is some distance in btw luxurious & shabby :)
I don't get that comment. Is it okay to be ostentatious with your wealth or not?
Scout wrote: "I don't get that comment. Is it okay to be ostentatious with your wealth or not?"Distasteful if you ask me, but shabby can be too :)
Meant that somewhere in btw (the distance) those two extremes should be good, but I'm not a fashion expert for an authoritative opinion :)
I don't do "bling" for anything! lol I buy what I can afford as to me it is not about what brand name is on the item, but what use I can get out of it. Those $30 jeans fit just as well as the $150 pair. To me brand names don't matter like it does to some people. Sometimes the quality of the product can be better at the lower price than the higher price. When you buy something with a brand name that is the only thing you are paying for.
I wear what fits and looks good on me. Many times that will be "name" brands, but they came from an outlet store or off the marked down rack from last season. I buy the NYDJ which are generally over $100 but I get them online, off their sale page, with a coupon, so that my cart is 2 or 3 pairs for $100 and then only with free shipping. I don't particularly want to an advertising sign for someone. Being short, having no butt/hips with my waist size is bigger, , it's the brand I found the size that fits. Levis 501 or whatever the current one is now, has never fit me. When I was working in offices as a paralegal and manager, I spent a lot on suits. I paid for the quality so that I didn't have to buy new clothes for work ever winter and summer. My top half is bigger size than my bottom half, so lots of skirts, tops, jackets bought as separates and mix and match. Those clothes cost much more than my casual attire, but they lasted for 10 years.
I drive a Miata because I like having a convertible. Once my kids were grown I could finally have the 2 seater I fell in love with as a teenager. Never have owned a new car, because I could find one cheaper used. Miata is probably lease expensive convertible out there. 4th generation, the newest model that came out in 2016, difficult to find. No one seems to be dumping those they way they did the prior years. Having a good mechanic is worth more than having a new car. The closest I came to new was a 1997 in 1999 that only had 23k miles on it. It had over 200k miles on it when I got rid of it. I spent less than 18k on it. Most expensive car I bought was 2003 in 2005 and that was 23k. My currnet 2006 I got in 2012 for 13k. The newest models are over 30k and that annoys me, so I haven't traded up.
My house was built in the 70s, originally 2 bedroom, 1 bath, it's been remodeled over the years to close in the patio for a family room, add a 3/4 bathroom, close in the carport to a garage (that wouldn't hold anything bigger than my Miata, and so now it's 2 bedroom/2 bath, with 2 huge walk in closets. Since I have to pay for maintenance and repairs, I keep it because it's cheaper than renting a place. It's in an old part of town that used to be a good place, but now everyone is out by the mountains. I paid less than 100k for it. I did put in a heat pump for electric heat and a/c. I had to replace the dishwasher. The stove was replaced with one a neighbor was throwing away that worked just fine. My washer and dryer were used in 2006. Washer flooded my laundry room last night and last week my vacuum cleaner died. I hate replacing stuff and think it should last longer. I don't have any expensive jewelry.
This is long but what I am saying is basically, I am frugal, but I spend more dollars to get something that will last longer or save me money (like replacing a 1970s electric heater and installing dual pane windows cut my winter bill in half). I get the things I want like a nice suit or a Miata, but I do when I can get a good deal. I spent 3 years researching smart TVs before I bought one on sale. For me, splurging is quality ingredients when I want to cook and road trips.
Please ignore all the typos. It's been a tough week on the sleep and pain levels.
Well done on a remarkably thought through approach in the times of the impulsive buying, Lizzie!
With all those iPhones and Samsungs, the real luxury is being overlooked-:). With the cheapest phone starting price of a few grand, price wise they start where everyone else stops
That's what wikipedia has to say about them:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertu
So, yeah "According to The Economist the concept was to market phones explicitly as fashion accessories, with the idea "if you can spend $20,000 on a watch, why not on a mobile phone?". Thanks to Economist for clarifying.
On the other hand not so delicate critics say: "Vertu phones have been described as "tasteless trash" by Wired Magazine,[18] and "technologically modest" by the Financial Times.[19] They are often described as bling"
What do you think, is it an expensive kitsch or really something to be proud of to produce from your pocket and let everyone around stare at ringing shining diamonds? -:)