DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - What is your image of each social class ?

**mnhloot** · 09-01-2012, 12:48 PM

I understand what you are saying, but it sounds a bit harsh on Americans while making it sound as if Europeans are guiltless in these respects. I mean, in Europe there is also a lot of materialism, people wanting top brands, best cars, etc. etc., aren't we also the continent that is the home of a lot of fashion, traditionally, "London, Paris, New York" being capitals of style!

I noticed in big Parisian department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps) and expensive boutiques that those who buy a lot of European brands in clothes and accessories are first and foremost Japanese (Louis Vuitton sells over half of its worldwide production in Japan), then other Asians (increasingly the Chinese) as well as Americans (some specific brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace...). So yes, Europe, and esp. France and Italy, produce the most famous brands in fashion, but I rarely see Europeans with Chanel or Vuitton bags and Yves-Saint-Laurent or Armani suits (at least not young people). In Japan, it is hard to find a girl that doesn't have at least one Vuitton bag (+ numerous other brand bags of course). If you don't in Japan or are a social outcaste. If you do in Europe, people will jeer at you (yes, even in well-to-do bourgeois milieu).

Likewise, few people buy Ferrari or Rolls; only those who are so rich they don't know what to do with their money. People don't work hard in order to buy a Ferrari (well, I don't know any) - they have other priorities. In the US and East Asia, people work hard and even borrow money in order to buy stuff which they can't afford, so as to look richer and show off. That is materialism.

09-01-2012, 12:48 PM	#26
mnhloot Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 354 Senior Member	I understand what you are saying, but it sounds a bit harsh on Americans while making it sound as if Europeans are guiltless in these respects. I mean, in Europe there is also a lot of materialism, people wanting top brands, best cars, etc. etc., aren't we also the continent that is the home of a lot of fashion, traditionally, "London, Paris, New York" being capitals of style! I noticed in big Parisian department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps) and expensive boutiques that those who buy a lot of European brands in clothes and accessories are first and foremost Japanese (Louis Vuitton sells over half of its worldwide production in Japan), then other Asians (increasingly the Chinese) as well as Americans (some specific brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace...). So yes, Europe, and esp. France and Italy, produce the most famous brands in fashion, but I rarely see Europeans with Chanel or Vuitton bags and Yves-Saint-Laurent or Armani suits (at least not young people). In Japan, it is hard to find a girl that doesn't have at least one Vuitton bag (+ numerous other brand bags of course). If you don't in Japan or are a social outcaste. If you do in Europe, people will jeer at you (yes, even in well-to-do bourgeois milieu). Likewise, few people buy Ferrari or Rolls; only those who are so rich they don't know what to do with their money. People don't work hard in order to buy a Ferrari (well, I don't know any) - they have other priorities. In the US and East Asia, people work hard and even borrow money in order to buy stuff which they can't afford, so as to look richer and show off. That is materialism.
	Quote