Conspicuous consumption

genesis
By genesis

Conspicuous consumption is lavish spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income or wealth.  In the mind of a conspicuous consumer, such display serves as a means of attaining or maintaining social status.

This video says it all :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FJIdS7mTBTI

By britexpat• 19 Jul 2011 22:30
britexpat

Thanks.. i did not know that :O(

By edifis• 19 Jul 2011 22:15
Rating: 3/5
edifis

Yes. ofcourse they did!

By britexpat• 19 Jul 2011 21:53
britexpat

Did they have mahrajas when the Kama Sutra was written ?

By .sun26872• 19 Jul 2011 21:50
.sun26872

This reminds of something. When stupid Maharajahs of India started troubling common people for the sake of amusement, some very intelligent people wrote Kamasutra just to divert their devilish minds from destruction. Fashion statements are exactly the same thing. Mean rich people who suck money from society ruthlessly, are tricked into spending on needless and worthless things.

     There is only one thing about which I totally agree with Islam, a rich person is always a social criminal. Nobody can ever become rich without committing sins (obvious or inobvious). They are all crooks to begin with.

By anonymous• 19 Jul 2011 08:12
anonymous

"Islam strictly forbids extravagance...". Wow, what a great religion! Where are the true Muslims then?

By dahsuon• 19 Jul 2011 08:09
Rating: 5/5
dahsuon

Money needs to be circulated..a free flow it is good for the economy.To some extend this lavishness is better than holdfasting the earnings without spending for self as well as for helping others.Money should flow from rich to poor for balanced  society building.Islam strictly forbids extravagance and encourage charity

By britexpat• 19 Jul 2011 07:48
britexpat

I agree with your sentiments - especially since many youngsters look upon them as role models and someone to emulate. However, surely, they are in a minority.

By genesis• 19 Jul 2011 07:29
genesis

My intention was not to highlight how the wealthy splurge. But rather, how ridiculously pathetic conspicuous consumers are. The problem with this phenomena that it's contagious. I don't know how from all this can we ressurect a knowledge based economy , while youth aspiration of traveling abroad is shipping thier cars to show off.

By britexpat• 19 Jul 2011 07:16
Rating: 4/5
britexpat

This is definitely Conspicuous consumption. Reminds me of an article I read earlier:

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015714/Any-colour-long-white-Middle-Eastern-playboys-dazzle-London-supercars.html

This sort of thing occurs everywhere. There are rich kids displaying "bling" in Cannes and St. Tropez durinfg the summer. However, with the ASrab kids, they tend to go over the top and also enhance the sterotypical image of the rich kid with oodles of money.

By anonymous• 19 Jul 2011 06:06
anonymous

Even if u r rich u can help a lot to others.When I was rich I helped a lot to others and now when I m bound for limited self earned money still I feel like helping others.Life is all aobut earning spending saving helping others too..Now a days I have stopped thinking about shiny brand things.What I feel to do is saving saving and saving for my self.For kids I dont put boundries but I dont spend in hurry like before.But still whenever I have money to spare I do a bit for few needy persons.....actually some people have free money still they dont like helping others and this is what I feel is really ridiculous....

By nomerci• 19 Jul 2011 05:32
nomerci

I did not watch the vid, but my general opinion is that what we see is one thing...we can't look behind closed doors...I know that many wealthy people who enjoy their wealth also give very generously to those in need. Not everybody is a revolutionary.

By .sun26872• 18 Jul 2011 23:56
Rating: 3/5
.sun26872

Rich people must spend.It is heathy for economy.It's poor people who should not spend credit card money which they can't repay.

By FathimaH• 18 Jul 2011 23:47
Rating: 4/5
FathimaH

Oh I know some people with that attitude..actually a few too many.Whilst many attribute this to the  nouveau riche even those who have have been born into wealthy families can posess such foolishness. It is sickening really when you consider the trials and struggles many are enduring the world over. I guess thats why even in Islam we are adviced not just to pray for wealth but also the wisdom to use the wealth judiciously without pomp and wastage!

By anonymous• 18 Jul 2011 23:46
anonymous

Whilst I have the upmost sympathy for countries that are struggling and of course  it would be nice to see the Arab World help other Arabs.Just like other so called rich countries that ignore the needs of their own people. Are Arabs the only people in the world that see their 'poor' struggle whislt the wealthy 'splurge'. I think not. 

By John Lalay• 18 Jul 2011 21:52
John Lalay

the day, first oil well were explored successfully, arabs got lazy and started dreaming of lavish life without struggle

By genesis• 18 Jul 2011 21:47
Rating: 4/5
genesis

While Arab youth in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Syria & Bahrain continue protesting for their rights, dignity & freedom. Some gulf Arabs continue their summer London spending spree saga    

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