Do I have a sign on my head?

[simbrooks]

I have walked around many stores from lowly places up to the 5-star type places - anyone who knows me understands that my appearance is extremely casual, hardly even touch an iron nor comb, i have gotten the looks of people who dont earn a third of what i make thinking (but so far not voicing) that i cant afford stuff in their stores. I have also had the unfortunate experience of being around plenty of new-money type people who thought they could rub it in your face in some way - not content with hanging around those types either. One of the useful things is that at 6'3" i can usually actually physically look down on these people, which helps add to the equal disgust look i give them if i can see that "i've got more money than you" look coming from them. I do enjoy being around the old-money type people, they are usually far more down to earth and capable of a normal lifestyle/outlook/relationship than the new-money types.

 

[d@n]

We live in the real world, people judge you by appearance............

This can be used to your advantage when shopping for a car or other high-dollar item. Dress in jeans and t-shirt to browse in peace and come back in business casual when you're serious.
They always leave me alone when I look poor.

 

[android]

I have walked around many stores from lowly places up to the 5-star type places - anyone who knows me understands that my appearance is extremely casual, hardly even touch an iron nor comb, i have gotten the looks of people who dont earn a third of what i make thinking (but so far not voicing) that i cant afford stuff in their stores. I have also had the unfortunate experience of being around plenty of new-money type people who thought they could rub it in your face in some way - not content with hanging around those types either. One of the useful things is that at 6'3" i can usually actually physically look down on these people, which helps add to the equal disgust look i give them if i can see that "i've got more money than you" look coming from them. I do enjoy being around the old-money type people, they are usually far more down to earth and capable of a normal lifestyle/outlook/relationship than the new-money types.

I think many people today equate casual with unkempt. To me, "casual" means khakis, nice shorts or new jeans with a short sleeved shirt and topsiders or loafers. I still leave the house clean and groomed. Anything less and I don't expect to get much respect if I were to go into a place of business.

Your appearance is not about how much money you make or whether you are "rich" or not. It's about your self respect and how you expect others to treat you when you are in public.

 

[Hank49]

I have also had the unfortunate experience of being around plenty of new-money type people who thought they could rub it in your face in some way - I do enjoy being around the old-money type people, they are usually far more down to earth and capable of a normal lifestyle/outlook/relationship than the new-money types.

"Old money type", meaning that they earned it the old fahioned way....they inherited it? And "new money type" merely earned it recently? The presumptuous bums.

 

[simbrooks]

"Old money type", meaning that they earned it the old fahioned way....they inherited it? And "new money type" merely earned it recently? The presumptuous bums.

Kind of, they grew up with it, dont have the attitude associated with those who got money really quickly. Yes some earned it, some lucked into it with new money, but suddenly their attitude changed - its a very common and repeatable event.

As for unkempt - yes doing average joe stuff i would say 99% of the time, when i want to smarten up the iron comes out. Doesnt mean i dont wear regular casual clothes - khaki's/cargo's, polo shirts, sweaters etc - that is my basic wear for work and play. To each their own i guess, i dont see the need to go out dressed up to the nine's all day every day.

 

[Hank49]

Kind of, they grew up with it, dont have the attitude associated with those who got money really quickly. Yes some earned it, some lucked into it with new money, but suddenly their attitude changed - its a very common and repeatable event..

I know what you're saying but you can't generalize that across the board. I knew a lot of rich people who were fourth generation rich and they were pretty worthless. (you know the theory of the family fortune, the first generation builds the empire, the 2nd thrives off it, and the third trashes it) On the other hand, I knew of hard working people who built a very successful business after growing up poor but they still dressed in old flannel shirts and drove beat up cars....certainly not the "new money" attitude you're describing.

 

[simbrooks]

Exceptions to every rule

 

[chepar]

You'll find is that this type of treatment is pretty common in the majority of those high end shops in Waikiki and Ala Moana. Actually, most of the shops in Ala Moana are now too high end and have priced themselves out of the budget of the average local shopper.

I recall several years ago they started running "local interest" stories in the news - this was when many of the Japanese tourists that are the lifeblood of these luxury stores stopped coming to Hawaii - and Ala Moana, in particular, was hurting. General local attitude was that Ala Moana was no longer a shopping center they cared to visit because of the treatment they received at the stores. You literally could not receive any help if there was a tourist in the shop at the same time. Ala Moana and its shops began trying to do an image overhaul and attract back the local customers.

While it's gotten better, it's still quite common to be treated that way. Typically I am completely ignored. No hello, no assistance whatsoever when you are obviously looking at something with possibly the intent to purchase. When someone does speak with you, more often than not they have this bizarre condescending attitude. Too often they fall victim to judging a book by its cover.

What's amazing is that these are SALESCLERKS. The way some of them act you think you're talking to Christian Dior himself. Recently I was with my very casually dressed friend - who is an extremely successful physician - she had been intent on purchasing something, but with the attitude she received, we walked out.

It's true that if you "dress the part" you're likely to receive better service. If you're talking about a luxury goods retailer, better yet if you walk into that particular store carrying/wearing something from one of their lines. Pretty sad, but true.

 

[mania]

"Old money type", meaning that they earned it the old fahioned way....they inherited it? And "new money type" merely earned it recently? The presumptuous bums.

New money is sometimes called "new bourgeoisie". Or - what better explaines - a joke about "new Russians":
A new Russian stands close to GUM (a mall on the Red Square). another new Russiam approches him and says - I see you got yourself a new watch. How much did you pay?
- 50k US$ - answers the first one.
The second then replies - You stupid, on Lenin's Street you could get it for 80k US $!!!

I do hope that our Russian Sb members will not be offended - I brought this joke from Moscow and I know that you have plenty of them....

Mania

 

[MSilvia]

We live in the real world, people judge you by appearance............

... and do so at their peril. If someone is browsing at your store, you ought to treat them as a potential customer regardless of how they choose to dress. There have been more than a few occasions when I've gotten out of my beat up car in clothes I've been roughing it in for day (just off days on a boat, or camping for example), and gone into a store, restaurant, or other establishment fully expecting to spend several hundred dollars.

Treating me like a hobo isn't going to get my business. THAT is life the real world.