Because I Don't Like WASTE, That's Why... (Ulog No. 47)
Without a doubt we are now smack dab in the middle of the conspicuous overconsumption holiday season. Around our place, it doesn't so much involve actually going anywhere to fill a bunch of shopping bags, as it means looking out for the UPS or FedEx driver to bring packages to the door.
As I have alluded to on occasions past, the Holidays — which, in our house, happens to be Christmas — have never really been about "stuff" for me, so much as about the scents and moods and lights and company and cornucopia of food.
That was even true when I was a little kid.
'Tis the season...
Some People Get Distressed....
... because I am not "playing the game" appropriately when I insist that I really don't want any things,.... but they are certainly welcome to bring some food. Particularly our (adult) kids tend to roll their eyes quite a bit...
Maybe that's just an "age thing;" when you're pushing 60 you pretty much have all the stuff you could possibly want and need, but consumables are always welcome.
Except, in my case, I wasn't even that much into the "stuff" when I was younger.
When I sit and ponder that for a bit, it's not really about spending money so much as it's about the simply fact that I just don't like waste.
A bit of snow on the pumpkin...
Going Overboard?
The whole idea of going overboard — in terms of what you spend on the holidays — can take many different forms.
Earlier, I was reading a post by @tarazkp in which he mentioned having seen a 600 € baby outfit on a recent trip to Vienna.
His experience reminded me — and clarified — that I have always been very aware of what things are "worth" to me, as a concept separate from my ability to afford them... or not.
There's a lot of really expensive stuff in the world that doesn't make sense to me, regardless of whether or not I am broke or well off. And I get zero "ego-gratification" from walking into a store and being able to buy something for $5,000 simply because "I can AFFORD it."
I was able to do something like that, many years ago, and it was — and remains — a completely meaningless idea, to me.
I guess what I am trying to say is that an expensive item doesn't suddenly magically gain utility simply because I suddenly can afford it.
Holly in the snow...
On $1200 Boots and Being A "Lousy Consumer..."
Mrs. Denmarkguy and I have occasionally had debates over this particular issue, as there are quite a few things she would like to have if we were considerably better off.
One of the discussions involved a pair of swank upmarket fashion boots that were $1200.
When I asked what made them "worth" $1200, she admitted that "nothing" made them worth that, it was just the idea of having them that mattered. On some level, the price was more important than the boots themselves (although they WERE very stylish, don't get me wrong) and the "value" of the boots lay in their capacity to enable a person to walk through the world "wearing $1200 boots."
Not a concept I personally understand, but it helped give me an insight or two into how the excesses often associated with holiday spending come about.
In closing... I'm not a skinflint, by the way... I just like things to make sense!
Thanks for reading!
(Another #creativecoin creative non-fiction post)
Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for this platform.)
Created at 191213 23:38 PST
1140
Maybe "egotification" should become a word. Gratification from self-stroking the ego. :)
To listen to the audio version of this article click on the play image.
Brought to you by @tts. If you find it useful please consider upvoting this reply.
I’m with you! Although I seem to have expensive taste, once things get too pricey, I find it vulgar to spend money on the super expensive things. Money is power in our world, and I would rather see it used to accomplish good things!
I like to think that I am not a consumer. However, now that I am living in my condo, I find myself wanting to upgrade things. Some need to be upgraded, like the windows that are so thin, I can smell my neighbor smoking pot, or the carpets that aren't dirty but don't feel clean. Still, there are other upgrades I want just because I want them, like a new washer when mine still works, updated kitchen cabinets when the ones I have are perfectly ok, and a paint job everywhere, even though the paint is just fine, but not my liking.
So, am I being consumeristic, or am I personalizing things? It's hard for me to tell the difference.