Its embarrassing

abcdefu

abcdefu

Member
I live in NYC and so you definitely see all facets of life here. Lately ive just been getting pretty mad at some (maybe majority) people's apathy. its like whenever they get a little bit of money they choose to spend it on some expensive clothes to look cool. And like for what? Other people literally dying because they can't afford/don't have access to food, housing and healthcare?

I think its distasteful, cringy, and embarrassing to be wearing these thousand + dollar outfits in the face of people who are dying due to lack of funds because they weren't handed the right cards in life.

I just don't think it should be commonplace or acceptable to spend absurd amounts on your image just to feel validated. Not only is it unhealthy for yourself but you could literally be saving someone's life with that money if youre just gonna essentially throw it away at pointless items anyways.

Can we start shaming people for this
 
14400114:iFlip said:
Capitalism sucks, huh? How dare those who have been successful enjoy their success!
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sorry but this is a played, oversimplification of a defense to an extremely complicated matter....
 
What could be more pointless than sliding down a mountain? Entire mountains are ruined ecologically to put in ski slopes, snowmaking takes significant resources, commuting to the mountain increases your CO2 footprint, and ski gear costs a bundle. Just join a gym, it’s a much better workout for a significantly cheaper price. Donate the saved money to charity. Lead the change you want to see, communist!
 
14400116:iFlip said:
What could be more pointless than sliding down a mountain? Entire mountains are ruined ecologically to put in ski slopes, snowmaking takes significant resources, commuting to the mountain increases your CO2 footprint, and ski gear costs a bundle. Just join a gym, it’s a much better workout for a significantly cheaper price. Donate the saved money to charity. Lead the change you want to see, communist!
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my thread is posted in non ski gabber and has nothing to do with skiing. it has to do with people buying pointless, expensive material items to facilitate their image in the face of others' hardship. im not going to respond to your total diversion from my topic. If you can actually back up an argument to refute what I initially said feel free. but don't give me some copout bs like this

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 10:37:21am

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 10:38:47am
 
topic:700billion said:
I live in NYC and so you definitely see all facets of life here. Lately ive just been getting pretty mad at some (maybe majority) people's apathy. its like whenever they get a little bit of money they choose to spend it on some expensive clothes to look cool. And like for what? Other people literally dying because they can't afford/don't have access to food, housing and healthcare?

I think its distasteful, cringy, and embarrassing to be wearing these thousand + dollar outfits in the face of people who are dying due to lack of funds because they weren't handed the right cards in life.

I just don't think it should be commonplace or acceptable to spend absurd amounts on your image just to feel validated. Not only is it unhealthy for yourself but you could literally be saving someone's life with that money if youre just gonna essentially throw it away at pointless items anyways.

Can we start shaming people for this
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I've live in a suburb of NYC most of my life and NYC has some shitty people in it.

Myself included.
 
14400114:iFlip said:
Capitalism sucks, huh? How dare those who have been successful enjoy their success!
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capitalism is an important and necessary facet of a fair economy, but it definitely has many aspects that need to be tamed or shit gets out of control.
 
14400121:VTshredder69 said:
I've live in a suburb of NYC most of my life and NYC has some shitty people in it.

Myself included.
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I may not have mentioned that I don't blame anyone for buying into shit when they get money. its easy to do and its pressured upon people. but it certainly takes a level of ignorance amidst all the bullshit in the world and is ultimately unhealthy. people just don't even think about it
 
So why don’t you OP start working at a homeless shelter ?

If you feel it’s so disgusting and fucked up (which it is) start working on ways to fix the problem.

Get friends involved with volunteer programs, make it a regular thing, volunteer at a big brother/sister program, host a shopping addiction anonymous program.

There’s endless way to help but if your just here to be in a echo camber like what you looking for on a website forum

that caters to a rich winter sport?

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 11:46:09am
 
14400153:50Kal said:
So why don’t you OP start working at a homeless shelter ?

If you feel it’s so disgusting and fucked up (which it is) start working on ways to fix the problem.

Get friends involved with volunteer programs, make it a regular thing, volunteer at a big brother/sister program, host a shopping addiction anonymous program.

There’s endless way to help but if your just here to be in a echo camber like what you looking for on a website forum

that caters to a rich winter sport?

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 11:46:09am
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hey thank you.

I posted because its on my mind and I believe in the importance of conversation- especially when its a topic most people seemingly don't even consider. I think its important to have these conversations everywhere as it is a problem that exists everywhere.

if it puts your mind at ease, I work at a food shelter. localizing our food system is what I am interested in but that is a different topic
 
This thread is full retard. Who are you to dictate how people spend their hard-earned (or perhaps not hard-earned) money? I strongly doubt you ski in Walmart ski pants and jackets. So you’re guilty of exactly that which you’re condemning others for. If spending money on fashion is what they enjoy, that is absolutely no worse than you spending thousands a year on skiing.

The same exact thing can apply to housing. Do you live in an apartment with 6 people and share a bedroom? Do you only shop at thrift stores? Everything is incremental. We all enjoy some level of excess. Anyone who skis enjoys a high level of excess. Yes, this is NSG but this is a ski site. It’s fairly safe to say everyone on here skis. Don’t go thinking you’re any better than anyone else. You aren’t. Capitalism isn’t great but it’s by far the best system out there. Until you go volunteer at a soup kitchen, sell all your worldly belongings and donate the proceeds to charity, give up your fancy cell phone, and stop flying, I don’t want to hear from you again.
 
14400160:iFlip said:
This thread is full retard. Who are you to dictate how people spend their hard-earned (or perhaps not hard-earned) money? I strongly doubt you ski in Walmart ski pants and jackets. So you’re guilty of exactly that which you’re condemning others for. If spending money on fashion is what they enjoy, that is absolutely no worse than you spending thousands a year on skiing.

The same exact thing can apply to housing. Do you live in an apartment with 6 people and share a bedroom? Do you only shop at thrift stores? Everything is incremental. We all enjoy some level of excess. Anyone who skis enjoys a high level of excess. Yes, this is NSG but this is a ski site. It’s fairly safe to say everyone on here skis. Don’t go thinking you’re any better than anyone else. You aren’t. Capitalism isn’t great but it’s by far the best system out there. Until you go volunteer at a soup kitchen, sell all your worldly belongings and donate the proceeds to charity, give up your fancy cell phone, and stop flying, I don’t want to hear from you again.
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Dude youre totally putting words in my mouth. I don't think im better than anyone for what they buy. We live in a world that pressures us to bolster our images though wearing expensive shit and I totally understand how and why people fall victim to it- myself included. For a long time I never even considered this and when I did I couldn't continue to make purchases like that without feeling guilty. I don't think most people think about how every purchase is a political decision so that's my point.

Why are you so offended? I'm not dictating how anyone lives their life- im just bringing up my thoughts on the matter. Skiing is a privilege but as I said before that is not my point. I am speaking specifically to people spending their money on frivolous, unnecessary items to support their image. Ski gear is mostly utilitarian and purposeful and does not fall under my statement.

And as I already said, not that I really need to validate myself to you, but I work at a food shelf because that is what im interested in not because im trying to be a fucking charity case.

Youre throwing all these assumptions on me and categorizing me as some baseless SJW which is just not the case dude.

as for your whole ski guilt trip thing, I think there's a big difference between having the means to participate in a fulfilling and meaningful activity and acting upon it and understanding that its a privilege vs going on a walk to show off your expensive ass outfit which is definitely the case where I live
 
14400160:iFlip said:
This thread is full retard. Who are you to dictate how people spend their hard-earned (or perhaps not hard-earned) money? I strongly doubt you ski in Walmart ski pants and jackets. So you’re guilty of exactly that which you’re condemning others for. If spending money on fashion is what they enjoy, that is absolutely no worse than you spending thousands a year on skiing.

The same exact thing can apply to housing. Do you live in an apartment with 6 people and share a bedroom? Do you only shop at thrift stores? Everything is incremental. We all enjoy some level of excess. Anyone who skis enjoys a high level of excess. Yes, this is NSG but this is a ski site. It’s fairly safe to say everyone on here skis. Don’t go thinking you’re any better than anyone else. You aren’t. Capitalism isn’t great but it’s by far the best system out there. Until you go volunteer at a soup kitchen, sell all your worldly belongings and donate the proceeds to charity, give up your fancy cell phone, and stop flying, I don’t want to hear from you again.
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and again with the capitalism thing- why are you even mentioning it? when did I say my thoughts on capitalism in my OP? it seems like youre coming from a very single framed viewpoint. as I already said in my last reply to you.. I too think that capitalism is a necessary aspect to a healthy economy.

like sorry but do you think capitalisms sole definition is buying frivolous shit to look cool hahah because that's all I was talking about

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 12:21:00pm
 
14400116:iFlip said:
What could be more pointless than sliding down a mountain?
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it brings me joy and meaning, so its far from pointless in my life. if youre so indifferent to skiing and find it pointless, why do you do it then?
 
14400174:700billion said:
it brings me joy and meaning, so its far from pointless in my life. if youre so indifferent to skiing and find it pointless, why do you do it then?
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Because I don’t pretend to be a wannabe-Communist. And upscale clothes can bring folks joy and happiness, yet you hate on them for it. Hypocrite much?

But we now see the true purpose of this thread. You just wanted to slide in that you work in a food pantry. Virtue signaling success. Congrats. Now fuck off.
 
lmao this guy literally just said that he didn't like the rampant consumerism in the US.

NSG gets so triggered if anyone says anything remotely close to criticizing capitalism
 
14400181:iFlip said:
Because I don’t pretend to be a wannabe-Communist. And upscale clothes can bring folks joy and happiness, yet you hate on them for it. Hypocrite much?

But we now see the true purpose of this thread. You just wanted to slide in that you work in a food pantry. Virtue signaling success. Congrats. Now fuck off.
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buying "upscale" clothes just too look a lil bit drippy is entirely baseless. go fucking ask Lil B the based god why he wears vans.

what's communism have to do with anything?

every point you bring up has meandered from my original statement in a poor, copout, sometimes altogether irrelevant attempt to undermine what I initially said:

That I think its a bit cringe to wear a gaudy, expensive, frivolous outfit to look cool in the face of someone's hardship. What is it exactly that you disagree with there?

can you even directly answer those two questions without swaying off topic?

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 12:52:14pm
 
14400183:700billion said:
upscale clothes are entirely baseless. go fucking ask Lil B why he wears vans.
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What makes you think you can tell anyone what they should or shouldn't enjoy?

Also, one person's perspective on fashion means literally nothing to an individual's opinion.

We need to stop caring about what other people do and focus on ourselves, its a fucking joke.
 
14400184:eheath said:
What makes you think you can tell anyone what they should or shouldn't enjoy?

Also, one person's perspective on fashion means literally nothing to an individual's opinion.

We need to stop caring about what other people do and focus on ourselves, its a fucking joke.
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Hahaha the Lil B comment was purely sardonic

im not telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do. im expressing my thoughts. you can wear whatever you want and I can think what I want about it and post those thoughts on a public forum. that doesn't mean im telling you no you can't wear that shit.

idk I think to stop caring about what people do is pretty apathetic in the greater picture. if that was the general consensus we wouldn't make much progress.

I think its healthy to make people feel uncomfortable about participating in things that are ultimately shoddy.

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 1:01:25pm
 
14400185:700billion said:
Hahaha the Lil B comment was purely sardonic

im not telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do. im expressing my thoughts. you can wear whatever you want and I can think what I want about it and post those thoughts on a public forum. that doesn't mean im telling you no you can't wear that shit.

idk I think to stop caring about what people do is pretty apathetic in the greater picture. if that was the general consensus we wouldn't make much progress.

I think its healthy to make people feel uncomfortable about participating in things that are ultimately shoddy.

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 1:01:25pm
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Shoddy in your opinion, I feel like you don't get it. Your opinion is basically worthless to the rest of the world, they think differently than you, they do things differently than you, doesn't make them a bad person because you don't agree with it.
 
14400187:eheath said:
Shoddy in your opinion, I feel like you don't get it. Your opinion is basically worthless to the rest of the world, they think differently than you, they do things differently than you, doesn't make them a bad person because you don't agree with it.
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I agree, no it doesn't make them a bad person. its not inherently malicious to go spend money on frivolous, image based shit for yourself. but it has effects on the world that you may not be aware of, or may be ignoring. I think its ultimately spending your money blindly- which is unhealthy and does no good for the world.

where we spend our money is of utmost importance to determining the world we live in. people don't have to agree with my opinion, can ignore it, can say its wrong, whatever. but its definitely not a worthless opinion.

slightly Off topic, but its really the same people who say they're against gentrification who spend their money at the stores and on apartments that are gentrifying neighborhoods and pushing underprivileged out. I have a slightly different perspective on all this living in SF and NYC where this crazy wealth disparity is in my face first hand everyday and its very sad to see all these people down and out meanwhile there are so many people walking around treating them as if they don't exist.

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 1:12:22pm

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 1:14:49pm
 
14400192:700billion said:
I agree, no it doesn't make them a bad person. its not inherently malicious to go spend money on frivolous, image based shit for yourself. but it has effects on the world that you may not be aware of, or may be ignoring. I think its ultimately spending your money blindly- which is unhealthy and does no good for the world.

where we spend our money is of utmost importance to determining the world we live in. people don't have to agree with my opinion, can ignore it, can say its wrong, whatever. but its definitely not a worthless opinion.
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I still feel like you don't get it, you're taking a stance that is a bit elitist here, you're acting like your way of thinking is the correct way. Some people love spending their money, who cares? You're in no position to judge anyone for what they do, you're just being pretentious.
 
14400197:Professor-Modelo said:
lmao what the fuck did he expect
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no expectations. no regrets. im new here and just dipping my toes in the water. vibe checking the place. Im taking notes and I definitely have some future posts in mind now that are sure to win the hearts of the newschoolers community
 
14400199:eheath said:
I still feel like you don't get it, you're taking a stance that is a bit elitist here, you're acting like your way of thinking is the correct way. Some people love spending their money, who cares? You're in no position to judge anyone for what they do, you're just being pretentious.
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Are you saying I don't get spending money on brand names as a means of fulfillment? bc no I actually don't get that personally. I understand having a personal style as being creative and fulfilling and that's cool. But I don't think that buying specific brands because they're expensive = style. idk exactly what you mean by saying im elitist. but if that's not it, then what don't you feel like im getting?

ill admit I was probably being a bit pretentious in response to that kid who kept calling me a commie bc he really didn't have an argument of any substance- so ya I was toying with him bc im bored at work which was wrong of me.

but, my OP and feelings on the matter don't come from a place of pretentiousness at all. its really something I wish people would think about and consider and it really is disheartening to see people so down and out and the wealth gap does in fact piss me off. so that's why I care. you don't have to- but I do wish people would really consider why they buy what they buy.

I don't think you quite understand where im coming from- I don't judge people for the shit they buy. I don't see someone wearing Gucci glasses and think- that guy is a fucking asshole how could he. I really don't. I just think that buying brand names is falling victim to all this status pushing that happens in America- especially now with social media. And I will say I totally understand the pressure to buy that shit. I just think that it is not a fully realized purchase in light of the state of our economy right now.
 
14400212:700billion said:
Are you saying I don't get spending money on brand names as a means of fulfillment? bc no I actually don't get that personally. I understand having a personal style as being creative and fulfilling and that's cool. But I don't think that buying specific brands because they're expensive = style. idk exactly what you mean by saying im elitist. but if that's not it, then what don't you feel like im getting?

ill admit I was probably being a bit pretentious in response to that kid who kept calling me a commie bc he really didn't have an argument of any substance- so ya I was toying with him bc im bored at work which was wrong of me.

but, my OP and feelings on the matter don't come from a place of pretentiousness at all. its really something I wish people would think about and consider and it really is disheartening to see people so down and out and the wealth gap does in fact piss me off. so that's why I care. you don't have to- but I do wish people would really consider why they buy what they buy.

I don't think you quite understand where im coming from- I don't judge people for the shit they buy. I don't see someone wearing Gucci glasses and think- that guy is a fucking asshole how could he. I really don't. I just think that buying brand names is falling victim to all this status pushing that happens in America- especially now with social media. And I will say I totally understand the pressure to buy that shit. I just think that it is not a fully realized purchase in light of the state of our economy right now.
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I agree consumerism is fucking stupid but you can't tell people what to do man, your opinion comes off as very pushy and judgemental.

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 1:56:11pm
 
14400217:Professor-Modelo said:
you should renounce yourself of all material possessions, move to Cambodia, and take a vow of silence in protest.
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Ah yes, and live a simple life- have some goats and chickens perhaps? Sounds novel, but why Cambodia of all places?
 
14400216:eheath said:
I agree consumerism is fucking stupid but you can't tell people what to do man, your opinion comes off as very pushy and judgemental.

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 1:56:11pm
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is good point perhaps im being a bit curmudgeonish this morning. but I think the opinion can still stand to reason without my pushy, judgmental touch, no?
 
14400222:700billion said:
is good point perhaps im being a bit curmudgeonish this morning. but I think the opinion can still stand to reason without my pushy, judgmental touch, no?
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I agree that your thoughts and ideas are valid, but a big preachy post about it isn't necessary.
 
I think wearing expensive brands for clout and to flex wealth is dumb for sure. Its a pretty toxic culture if you have to wear certain brands to be respected at all. I feel like most expensive clothes are at least made to last a long time. Respect to the people who buy something really nice and then wear it forever.

I think more of the critique should go to the fast fashion brands who try and capitalize on short lived trends with shit products. Bringing in the whole wealth inequality aspect is just virtue signaling. I don't think you can blame individuals for wanting nice clothes, you're focussing in too narrow
 
14400227:AndrewGravesSV said:
I think wearing expensive brands for clout and to flex wealth is dumb for sure. Its a pretty toxic culture if you have to wear certain brands to be respected at all. I feel like most expensive clothes are at least made to last a long time. Respect to the people who buy something really nice and then wear it forever.

I think more of the critique should go to the fast fashion brands who try and capitalize on short lived trends with shit products. Bringing in the whole wealth inequality aspect is just virtue signaling. I don't think you can blame individuals for wanting nice clothes, you're focussing in too narrow
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yeah I think that's a great point on fast fashion too. that shit is awful. I think most ethical choice at this point is always to just buy used locally if you have the opportunity but not everyone does. and yes if you have access, higher quality and using things their whole life span is something that really should be taken into consideration more. and I think it is now lately more than ever.

im not a saint. ive said multiple times here I don't blame anyone for wanting nice clothes- I totally understand it as a pressure of our society right now to fit in. Now more than ever with social media.

and na truly not virtue signaling with the wealth disparity thing. that's just where my thought process stemmed from. but I can agree its shown not to be an effective way to express the point which could be said without it..

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2022 at 2:17:17pm
 
Who gives a shit, in America we have the right to pursue happiness , people can do whateverthefucktheywant.
 
In terms of placing blame, we should use a systemic, organizational, individual-level approach, obviously starting top down. (use this when you fuck up at work as an opportunity to blame the business for your mistake, you'll get promoted) I can't find any reason for those individuals to be embarrassed, sure they shouldn't have bought that expensive shit but it comes with the territory of being around money, having money, and being influenced by money. Likewise, the homeless didn't choose to be there, but being homeless "comes with the territory" of mental health problems, potential addiction issues, generally unfortunate decisions likely made due to difficult or impossible circumstances. Thing is, I can't place any more blame on the homeless or the rich guy for their individual outcomes, like I said, comes with the territory.

Now if I wanted to place blame, I could look to the systems we have in place that allowed this to happen, ie. our current form of capitalism and some of it's unfettered characteristics. Or the organization, that guy's company allowing him to make a 100x multiple of the average NYC resident (hypothetical obviously but maybe not), or the local homeless and government organizations for not getting that homeless individual the help they need and ultimately for Congress who obviously will have their head in the sand on homelessness in America until there's a tent city on the capitol steps.

We obviously have a lot of problems in this country, but narrowing down blame to the individual when it's actually a system or organization's fault doesn't accomplish much, the max effectiveness when blaming an individual is changing a couple of people's personal stances on the issue for a short time if at all. Max effectiveness for blaming a system or organization is culture-wide change. Looks like you're putting your efforts in the right place working at a shelter, good on you.
 
14400165:abcdefu said:
I am speaking specifically to people spending their money on frivolous, unnecessary items to support their image. Ski gear is mostly utilitarian and purposeful and does not fall under my statement.
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Just to clarify, you are saying skiers don't spend their money on frivolous, unnecessary items to support their image?

Honest question... have you ever skied before?
 
NYC is like nowhere else in the world.

I've rolled out of a Sunday matinee Yankee game at 4:30PM drunk AF. Wandered to a pool hall drunk and lost $200 in two 5 minute games. Then proceeded to buy four or five $9 budlights and a 60 dollar gram of cocaine (which was surprisingly good)

Next thing I know its Monday morning I'm in a hotel room with an Asian stripper that I'm attempting to boot out because i can't get hard cuz blow and walking to the office 4 blocks away.
 
Having money when those around you dont sucks a lot but doesnt mean you shouldnt get to enjoy yourself. My mom’s sisters have competing charities and one thing that gets brought up is donor fatigue. At some point charities and non-profits have to become somewhat self-sustainable because you can’t (shouldn’t) just have the expectation of money coming in non-stop.

and Elon has touched on this point. He’s said he’ll give $10 billion or whatever to solve world hunger if anyone can make a solid argument that it would actually contribute to making a permanent change. If the world’s richest man can’t solve a problem with money, what makes you think people will be able to make a noticeable change by shunning any material possessions they enjoy so they can divert money to people in need?

i know i sound conservative “pull yourselves up by the bootstraps” which i’m not, but i have to support the idea that you could redistribute all the wealth in the world, but in the end those who were poor before will mostly waste if away and be poor all over again, and those who had to redistribute their wealth will rebuild it again.
 
Hey dude look good feel good.

The vibe from this thread is that if your personal style was a condiment, it would be mayonnaise.
 
14401602:Young_patty said:
Hey dude look good feel good.

The vibe from this thread is that if your personal style was a condiment, it would be mayonnaise.
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personally I think there's a big difference between buying expensive brands as "style" and having style. Im just commenting on people buying expensive shit specifically to look cool not at all about style
 
Just tell people wearing these items to their face that their $1000 jacket doesn’t look good. Make sure you tell every single person that you see wearing designer clothing that their clothes look over the top and they could have felt better about helping people. They probably won’t care but at least you told them and not Newschoolers. Most people here aren’t in a position to help.
 
Unfortunately, in the United States, people have the right to be retarded with their money. It’s just a fact of life
 
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