It should be known that in the Philippines, different people recognize different status symbols, and some of them are just absurd. One of my friends, for instance, thinks that owning a computer, or two television sets, or an air conditioner means that you’re rich. One of my other friends thinks that owning fancy game machines like Xbox, or PSP, or Nintendo Wii are the status symbols.
I’m guessing that they’re weighing their decisions based on the prices of these appliances, but it’s not universally true. We own most of the things mentioned above, but I can assure you, while laughing out loud about it, that we are not rich. As a matter of fact, as of right this minute my current balance in the bank won’t even buy me two Big Mac Meals. Oh yeah.
But back to status symbols, I have one that is enormously absurd that I can’t even begin to think why people are actually going gaga over it. And I’m talking about those expensive flip flops. I hate people wearing one-thousand-peso rubber slippers for goodness’ sake. I know they’re going to justify it as being very comfortable—as opposed to very uncomfortable local rubber slippers? Hmm—and very durable, but come on, they’re still made of rubber, and they’re only slippers.
Actually, I also own a relatively expensive pair of flip flops, but comparing them to Havaianas or Ipanema, Dupe slippers are like the cheap ones. But this post isn’t really about the price comparison. What I find most interesting is how people act when they know they’re wearing Havaianas. They look like snobs. For girls, it’s acceptable, because girls will always have a reason for being a snob anyway. But guys? When they wear a pair of Havaianas with their feet all cleaned up and their nails pedicured (I suppose it’s a sin to wear expensive flip flops when you have dirty feet and nails), they look like morons with their heads up high, literally looking down on people while looking at other people’s footwear. It’s absurd, really.
I’ve written quite often about how people act when they’re wearing something they’re aware are good brands or expensive, and I don’t have anything against them most of the time. I believe it has something to do with psychology. Wearing certain types of clothes or brands somehow adds up to our confidence and makes us feel more pretty or attractive, but it shouldn’t eat at us and build up our ego. Because when we let that happen, all that we’re ever going to be are a bunch of superficial idiots.