Job Discussion Forums

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Good point. A few deck themselves out in designer clothes and dubious hairstyles, ala Beckham. Can't say I am impressed by either, the people who do it to get attention, or the people who respond to these luxary attention getters.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

The times have changed but the game is still the same. 100,000 years agobeing the best hunter and having the biggest muscles got you the woman. Although we like to think we have evolved past that, it is still in our nature. I got no problem with the man who knows what to do in todays world to attract a suitable mate. Wink

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Interesting you would look at it that way. IMO, some people are chasing the wrong people. 'Beautiful' luxary consumers are just that, luxary consumers. Now why they want to buy that stuff, you need to have a conversation to find that out. They may have a good reason, it just may not agree with the principles and values that I hold.

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I can buy that. We all try to save money in different ways. It doesn't always make sense to everyone else, but if it makes you happy, who am I to say that Paris Hilton lookalike you have on your arm is a bimbo? On second thought, maybe I'll take her off your hands Cool

(as long as she buys her own stuff)!

Seriusly, my wife buys Burberry and a few other things that I have to wonder, why bother. But, she uses them, unlike Imelda Marcos and her shoes, so what can I say.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

I got into nice automatic watches with tactical/military-influenced design when I was in Tokyo. Tokyo is certainly the place to be for a watch nut. There are probably more fine watches in some Tokyo shops than there are in some US states. There were several days that I spent most of the day window shopping for watches in Tokyo, but I probably didn't see half of what's to be seen. Then again, that's true for a lot of luxury and tech goods in Tokyo.

Most Japanese want nice watches for status and don't know anything about their watch beyond its brand image. But I've seen some serious watch nuts in watch shops, and for them it's about the pursuit of their definition of excellence. They typically have a good understanding of the mechanics and technique that differentiates good watches.

I bought a few modestly priced watches online and from discount shops, and eventually got to a Y60,000 Oris. It was a nice watch for what it was, but my taste grew in a different direction. Luckily I was able to sell it for almost twice what I paid for it. These days, I'd rather use my experience with nice watches to look for bang-for-the-buck ordinary watches an invest the rest. For Christmas I bought myself a Timex that's surprisingly nice and well made for the money I paid for it.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Just don't play street hockey with it! Confused

mc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Aichi, Japan

Sometimes people buy these luxury goods simply because the quality is exponentially better than run-of-the-mill brands.

For example, I never paid much attention to shoes until I bought a pair of Gucci loafers that were on sale for 40,000 yen. They were, far and away, the most comfortable pair of shoes I'd ever worn in my entire life, and now I can hardly stand to wear anything else.

Conversely, I couldn't care less what brand my jeans are or what kind of car I drive.

Different strokes for different folks, indeed.