Status Symbols You Hate?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Redraidernurse

One of them does own a large van, which is necessary not only for the car seat issue (I believe 3 of the 6 children are in car seats), but for the issue of no extra seating for guests. The only reason I brought it up is because of this: "I don't care where you live or how many kids you have." It's a big issue in our family for day to day use and since we live in a small town and often travel together to bigger towns for shopping.

My apologies.

[photo]

Originally Posted by Redraidernurse

Multiple times each day.

Driving somewhere multiple times a day with 8 people is astonishing. Most mini-vans hold 7 occupants, and the SUVs I've seen even fewer. Other than a full-sized van, what are other options for you, your husband, and all of your children to travel all together in one vehicle?

Most larger families I know driver smaller cars and just take two because they don't drive anywhere all together that often.

[beth_williams]

Cars. They are also not always indicative of status since many choose to live in an inexpensive home yet drive an expensive car.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by beth_williams

Cars. They are also not always indicative of status since many choose to live in an inexpensive home yet drive an expensive car.

Cars can also be very deceiving because it is very, very easy to get a car that you can't afford. You can buy with a 6 or 7 year loan. You can lease which is even worse.

[beth_williams]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Cars can also be very deceiving because it is very, very easy to get a car that you can't afford. You can buy with a 6 or 7 year loan. You can lease which is even worse.

That's so true. I'm fine with a reliable, fuel efficient Honda Civic.

[Redraidernurse]

Originally Posted by bjl584

I have heard, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that being exposed in the cold can weaken your immune system which makes you more susceptible to getting sick.

The opposite is true. This article cites a study done by the Army Research Institute of Medicine that shows cold weather actually stimulates the immune system. As long as you aren't actually contracting hypothermia then some acute cold exposure actually seems to be beneficial. Can the Cold Give You a Cold? - Cold and Flu Center - EverydayHealth.com

[Redraidernurse]

Originally Posted by photo

Driving somewhere multiple times a day with 8 people is astonishing. Most mini-vans hold 7 occupants, and the SUVs I've seen even fewer. Other than a full-sized van, what are other options for you, your husband, and all of your children to travel all together in one vehicle?

Most larger families I know driver smaller cars and just take two because they don't drive anywhere all together that often.

Living in a small town and being a group of close knit family members we often go together to dinner, parks, the swimming hole, etc. Definitely on a daily basis at least once. We make it a point to get together as a huge group and do activities. Astonishing as it may be, since the van and other large vehicles owned among family members were acquired they have simplified our lives in a huge way.

[nick__45]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

This is a great point. We buy nice stuff at times, but it is stuff that we can afford and we don't overbuy. My wife just bought an L.L. Bean winter jacket. It wasn't cheap but she is always cold and the coat is rated to something like -5 degrees. It is her one and only winter coat and she will keep it until it wears out. Her last winter coat was a nice Columbia one that actually came from a local thrift shop for about $20 many years ago.

Another thing is that sometimes "status symbols" actually are better quality. That doesn't mean you should be snooty about it or go around flaunting them but you do sometimes get what you pay for.

Very true regarding status symbol items being better quality. For example, The North Face is a status symbol but The North Face jackets are extremely warm, comfortable, higher quality, and has very high warm-to-weight ratio. That is why hikers, cross-country folks, and those seeking quality gears use them. Hopefully, hip-pop and wannabe haven't ruined the brand like they did to Polo, Timberland, and others once good brands.

For me, I love Red Wing boots for work. They cost a ton of money but I buy them with a knowledge that they are made in USA by hard-working men and women who pay taxes and wanting to put food on table, just like me. Red Wing are also very comfortable, durable, and provide great protection. I'll give thousands of dollars to keep my toes and feet happy and safe and all Red Wing asks for is a few hundreds of dollars. It is like paying for insurance and I pay more than a few hundreds dollars each month for coverage I haven't used.

[nick__45]

Originally Posted by Redraidernurse

The opposite is true. This article cites a study done by the Army Research Institute of Medicine that shows cold weather actually stimulates the immune system. As long as you aren't actually contracting hypothermia then some acute cold exposure actually seems to be beneficial. Can the Cold Give You a Cold? - Cold and Flu Center - EverydayHealth.com

Then why is the Army spending millions of dollars each year in winter gears for its soldiers when it can just pay a few deadwood PhD's to write a white paper indicating warm clothes as cold prevention is pure myth. Do you know why research papers are called white papers? It is because nothing of substance is ever written in those papers.

[Redraidernurse]

Originally Posted by nick__45

Then why is the Army spending millions of dollars each year in winter gears for its soldiers when it can just pay a few deadwood PhD's to write a white paper indicating warm clothes as cold prevention is pure myth. Do you know why research papers are called white papers? It is because nothing of substance is ever written in those papers.

It hasn't only been cited in Army research papers, that's just the first one I came across. Since it is apparent you are bashing any research paper I'll leave it at that and you can continue thinking that getting goosebumps causes your cold, heh.

[fe2o3ez]

Animals, specifically exotic ones. (granted, that whole Paris Hilton-chihuahua thing cracked me up, especially when you know darned well the owner is just carrying that dog in her purse for show.) The situation in Ohio last fall was the epitome of absurdity. I love big cats as much as anyone you will find, but no matter the cost, nor status symbol, you wouldn't find me owning one. Spend your money helping the local zoos or wildlife preserves instead, so everyone can enjoy the animals. Better yet, fund some research to stop poaching or to avoid extinction. Don't have one in your house as a party favor!

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by nick__45

Then why is the Army spending millions of dollars each year in winter gears for its soldiers when it can just pay a few deadwood PhD's to write a white paper indicating warm clothes as cold prevention is pure myth.

Just because cold exposure doesn't give you a cold doesn't mean the army wants their soldiers freezing to death.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by fe2o3ez

Animals, specifically exotic ones.

Yep. When people spend thousands for some pure bred dog with all kinds of documents instead of the cost of a license and collar at the local shelter, I just

[ecoadapt]

It's not the status symbols themselves that bother me, but if/when somebody flaunts it. If you can afford the really nice things, then fine -- enjoy them! But for someone to rub your nose in the fact that

I also feel like this. For me it's okay if you have those 'expensive' materials/things,what I don't like is for you to boast for it as if people around can't afford or will never have such things!

Remember, Things will decrease in value but your 'Personality' will always have a mark on your lifetime!

[Nika]

It's not the status symbols themselves that bother me, but if/when somebody flaunts it. If you can afford the really nice things, then fine -- enjoy them! But for someone to rub your nose in the fact that

What is flaunting it? Only after reading this post did it even occur to me that having my ipad and iphone out at the same time whenever I'm waiting for something may look to someone that I'm "flaunting it". But NO, it is not my intent at all. It is not a status symbol - it is an addiction! I listen to podcasts to my iphone (more convenient to manage while I'm walking (about an hour a day) and I listen to them while browsing the net on the ipad (bigger and more convenient).

It really makes my commute better. I don't have time to sit at my home computer - I have a baby that needs my attention. So reading blogs, watching tv episodes, reading articles, and visiting forums is mostly done on my lunch, on my commute and when I am waiting for something.

As far as not wanting needing an iphone... I thought I did not need it, but once I started to use one (my husband's) I could not go back, so we got a second one and now will always use an iphone.

When people write they have no use for them, I almost feel in a way you would feel if someone who has never used a computer was saying that they live perfectly fine without ever using it, don't see much need for it, and they dislike all this computer/internet fancy stuff.

I suppose you can live a good and fulfilling life without internet, but once you have used it, you don't want to go back and use the library for everything. Same goes for washing machines and other things that might have been a status symbol when they just come out. Sure, you don't "need" a washing machine. You can wash your sheets and duvet covers by hand in your bathtub, like people used to, but I'm pretty sure once you know how a washing machine works, you will never forego it willingly. Well, I feel the same way about an iphone.

[Silver Bug]

I can not stand people with iPhones that act as if it's better than gold.
Hey, I could have got one too, but I've passed them up year after year because I use my phone for much more than angry birds.

[wincrasher]

Bleach blonde trophy wives with giant fake boobs.

Really, the bleach blond hair is really annoying.

[elessar78]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Bleach blonde trophy wives with giant fake boobs.

Really, the bleach blond hair is really annoying.

What if the giant fake boobs, the augmentation, was done for medical reasons? Silicone and saline deficiencies are rampant nowadays, particularly in the south western part of the US. The thinning of the ozone layer is allowing the sun to leech these things out of women's bodies. It's like the new osteoporosis.

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by elessar78

What if the giant fake boobs, the augmentation, was done for medical reasons? Silicone and saline deficiencies are rampant nowadays, particularly in the south western part of the US. The thinning of the ozone layer is allowing the sun to leech these things out of women's bodies. It's like the new osteoporosis.

Hmmm....maybe the hair isn't intentionally bleached, but a symptom of our deteriorating environment! Maybe these women need consoling and not my derision...

[terces]

My BIL is a stuff guy. Likes having the stuff but never the money in the bank. He's the type that would go out of his way to tell you that he spent on something whether its his $600 dog or $800 tattoo.

My FIL was visiting with us over the holidays and BIL came over to see him...mainly to see what he can get out of him since he is getting elderly. He asked his dad about the Rolex he remembered he had. I think his jaw dropped clear to the ground when FIL told him the Rolex was a fake.... BIL's been thinking about that watch for years...lol