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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I definitely do this, but the "status" that I'm going for is not "rich."

For example, I bought a CRV because Hondas last forever and a CRV is a good family car. It has good safety ratings. When I see other people in CRVs I feel like they have similar values--they want a good deal that's safe and reliable.

I wear Birkenstocks because they last forever (I've had one of my pairs since the 90s). When I see other people wearing Birkenstocks, I think they value comfort and foot health and durability and longevity over fashion.

I bought my kid an LL Bean bookbag when he was born, because they last forever and I didn't want to waste money on a diaper bag. We used it as a diaper bag and now he uses it in elementary school. When I see other kids with LL Bean backpacks, I think their parents value longevity and simplicity and reasonable prices.

I buy Kirkland brand for a lot of stuff. When I see other people who buy Kirkland brand things, I think they value buying in bulk to save time and money.

We have a large veggie / fruit garden in our backyard. When I see other people who grow their own food, I think they value health, delicious produce, and saving money, maybe even decreasing carbon footprint, etc. I also think they have time and enjoy gardening.

Basically, the "status" symbols I think I display are those of someone who values reasonable judgement, safety, health,  time, etc. [/quote]

Yeah but even these "good value" things are class signifiers. There's so many articles out there about how expensive it is to be poor. You can't afford the LL Bean book bag so you get the cheaper bag, which means you have to replace it more often - but that's more manageable as a rolling expense than shelling out the $$ for the good bag in the first place. Same with a good car. And you need land to grow fruit and veggies - so having THAT is a class signifier (otherwise, you live in an apartment without your own outdoor space). Etc.

Not saying you do any of these things TO show off your class status, but they DO show off your class status all the same. We have a beat up 10 year old Kia Soul and I know when I look at people with clean, new-looking CRVs I definitely think: that person has some money. (That's probably going to be our next car, too.) But I also sort of think that when I see a well maintained older CRV - that the person had the money to buy it, and has the money to maintain it.

I think maybe you just never know who you're speaking to with these decisions and status announcements. To the people just like you - we're like you, too; just haven't bought the car yet - you're saying, "I'm one of you. Not showy but 'comfortable' and I value safety and value over flash (but that's a choice, not a necessity)."[/quote]

I'm the PP you're quoting, and yes, exactly. That's exactly what I meant by my post. [/quote]

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