Reverse Discrimination

[papayahed]

Ha fooled you!!!

Question: Some people buy things just because of the designer name on the label, which we can agree is kind of silly. Is it just a silly not to buy something because of the designer name on the label?

(ie. Someone buys a handbag because it's Coach, Someone else sees a cute bag but doesn't buy it because it says Jessica Simpson. )

[Madhuri]

In this case I wouldnt buy the Jessica Simpson bag, I would feel that I am using her bag, and that that piece is not exclusively for me.

[Sarasvati21]

They are both the same thing, really. The purchaser is spending or not spending because of brand. It's silly to pay considerably more for something because it is branded. I have not purchased things because they blatantly advertised a brand. I think if I'm promoting someone's products, they should be paying me, not the other way around. :p

[AimusSage]

I get everything from one brand, and one brand only, and that is Martian Knives INC! :D

[kilted exile]

As always there is a song about this:

COrporate Rock Rules
When I was a little kid
I couldn't have told you what a sellout is
Kiss, the clash, and darby crash
I didnt care who forked over the cash
In my heart the music lived
Not what jackets and labels read

it's your money, do what you want
dont be bullied, you have a voice
it's your choice, dont cry to me

Who made up the rules
Isn't it quite hypocritical
To tell us what is hip and ridicule
Those who have what you wanted all along
Jealousy, greed want a lock on the scene
Indie adolph dont tell me
I inject what I want in me

Make your own rules

Like lemmings jumping off a cliff
Thats cool if its how you choose to live
Listen up, dont be fooled, do what you wanna do
and know the difference
It's your allowance-you allow it

Who makes up your rules

[sprinks]

I hate labels :sick:. All it does is lead to discrimination at school with free dress days. I pretty much refuse to buy clothes with the labels emblazoned all across them... But if I really really like the item of clothing despite the label taking up almost more room than the garment itself, I'll get it.
I just probably wont wear it with other people around :p

It's sad when people even start to buy brand-name pencil cases and the like.

[Bakiryu]

I know what you mean. I would die if I had something that was labeled "Abercrombie" or "Hollister" and my my "Gap" shirt embarrases me.

It's just because of the association with the label. For example, there could be the perfect boots: 7 inch long studded spike heel and buckled to the knee made of realistic-looking imitation leather and belted with real silver buckles. But if it was labeled "American Eagle" I would never buy them.

[kilted exile]

I know what you mean. I would die if I had something that was labeled "Abercrombie" or "Hollister" and my my "Gap" shirt embarrases me.

It's just because of the association with the label. For example, there could be the perfect boots: 7 inch long studded spike heel and buckled to the knee made of realistic-looking imitation leather and belted with real silver buckles. But if it was labeled "American Eagle" I would never buy them.

See this kind of attitude has never made any sense to me. If you like something buy it, if you dont dont buy it. Refusing to buy something just because it has a brand label on it is just as snooty an attitude as only buying brand label stuff.

[motherhubbard]

Like lemmings jumping off a cliff
Thats cool if its how you choose to live
Listen up, dont be fooled, do what you wanna do
and know the difference
It's your allowance-you allow it



I’ve never heard a song mention lemmings before.



I’m kind of guilty of this reverse discrimination. I don’t want to appear okay with spending gobs of money on clothing or like I‘m one of those people who cares about labels. I’m so out of touch on what ’cool’ is anyway. I thought those Hollister shirts were about this town that is only about 10 miles north of me called Hollister. It’s a little town and pretty touristy. At first I thought they were selling them as a tourist item or that the high school sold them to the students, but then everyone was wearing them. I finally asked someone what the big deal with Hollister was. Pretty dorky moment for me really.

[Madhuri]

Frankly, if I have money and buying branded stuff has little or no effect on my pocket, I will buy.

[Bakiryu]

See this kind of attitude has never made any sense to me. If you like something buy it, if you dont dont buy it. Refusing to buy something just because it has a brand label on it is just as snooty an attitude as only buying brand label stuff.

You don't understand it because you're not young. Kids care a lot about that stuff and beside those boots could give me bad shoe karma.

[Scheherazade]

You don't understand it because you're not young. Kids care a lot about that stuff and beside those boots could give me bad shoe karma.How is this for reverse discrimination?

If we "not young ones" say they wouldn't understand because they are "young" or "not old enough", the "young ones" would be up in arms and claim to know it all... but it is OK for them to say we wouldn't understand because we are not young?

:p

If anything, we do understand how it feels being young because, believe it or not, we have been there, done it, wore the t-shirt. However, "young ones" don't know how it feels being in our shoes because they haven't reached to that point yet.

[Bakiryu]

Yes but memory isn't the same as being there in the moment.

[Shalot]

In the sixth grade, I actually became AWARE of lables and suddenly realized that my purse with the upside down triangle pattern was a knock-off Liz Claiborne (the Claiborne triangle pionts up) and I was so ashamed. Now, of course, I am older and I don't mind carrying a cheap purse. My sister in-law gave me a knock-off Louis Vuitton and I carried it to the mall, and these teenage girls stopped me and asked me where I got it. I probably could have made an easy 50 bucks right there Nowadays, the knock-offs actually look like the real deal. My knock-off Vitton actually says Louis Vitton. It looks identical. Of course, there is the shoddy stitch work and cheap zippers that gives it away, but from 5 feet you really can't tell. Back in the 80's, if your Nike swoosh was tilted the wrong way, or if your shoes had 4 stripes instead of the adidas 3, you were done for.


I went to a private school and we wore uniforms and part of it was so that the focus would be on learning and not on labels everyone was wearing. But, the problem was that the only thing that was actually issued from the uniform company was the girls kilt. Everything else could be purchased from the store. Any store of your choice.

So, I had my K-Mart no-label oxford cloth shirts, my kilt, and for cold days, I had my off brand khakis. My family did not have money for anything other than that and there were a handful of us in that situation. We actually had fun with it though. I will never forget the day my friend borrowed my old Bass bucks and put duck tape around them so the hole wouldn't show. My other friend wore SAS shoes (if you don't know what those are, see the old folks thread that Baki started). And since we had the cheapest, thinnest oxford cloth shirts in history, we purchased an assortment of green and red and flowery bras. Never did get a demerit for that. :angel: I did however get in trouble for wearing socks that were too thick. He called them boot socks. and I got a demerit. But he didn't say a word about that pink bra. :lol: Talk about a distraction from learning.

However, everyone else seemed to have GAP Khakis, Polo or Hilfiger Shirts, Cole Haun or Rockport shoes (or whatever wasn't from K-Mart). It was ridiculous.

Finally, the school officials got a clue, and now every item of clothing can and must be purchased from the Uniform company.


And the funniest thing to me now, is Hot Topic. Hot Topic is not punk rock!!
It's awesome - corporate issued, overpriced, punk rock clothes.

But I guess human beings are social animals and we're going to do what everyone else is doing and moneymakers know this. Since I've already had my label phase, I don't care about labels anymore, and I am more interested in what I feel good wearing and it has to be affordable. I guess it's a kid thing - they're more easily manipulated (and that comes straight from the mouth of one my Business Instructors). But, there are still some adults who are about the Brand. Hopefully, they recognize what the brand is.

[Virgil]

If you like something buy it, if you dont dont buy it. Refusing to buy something just because it has a brand label on it is just as snooty an attitude as only buying brand label stuff.

Completely agree with Kilt. I think that's my approach too. I'm not even conscious of brands. I have no idea what brands are prized and what's just a name. If a product had Williams scribbled across it as a brand (I'm making that up) I wouldn't know if it were a real brand or a fake one.

[papayahed]

How is this for reverse discrimination?

If we "not young ones" say they wouldn't understand because they are "young" or "not old enough", the "young ones" would be up in arms and claim to know it all... but it is OK for them to say we wouldn't understand because we are not young?

:p

If anything, we do understand how it feels being young because, believe it or not, we have been there, done it, wore the t-shirt. However, "young ones" don't know how it feels being in our shoes because they haven't reached to that point yet.

haha, and believe it or not us "not young ones" used to say the same thing (you don't understand- your not young) when we were the "young ones".

[AimusSage]

haha, and believe it or not us "not young ones" used to say the same thing (you don't understand- your not young) when we were the "young ones".
You know, I still say that. :p But I also qualify as 'old' That must mean that I don't understand it either. :lol: How confusing... :goof:

[Pensive]

Yeah I notice this kind of attitute around pretty much. Even though I can understand their reasons for it a tiny bit (like this company produces more lasting items than that one) but personally speaking I don't really care about it. Many not-very-famous brands have been more lasting for me. And anyhow upto quite an extent one can judge that by looking at the product closely. You don't need to see what brand it is.


You don't understand it because you're not young. Kids care a lot about that stuff and beside those boots could give me bad shoe karma.

Well I happen to be regarded as young when it comes to years, and so I am quite around young people and have noticed they don't fuss about the brand names as much as middle-aged women. Or maybe it's just society difference.

[Virgil]

haha, and believe it or not us "not young ones" used to say the same thing (you don't understand- your not young) when we were the "young ones".

I always tell the young whippersnappers who disagree with me, "I was your age once, but you were never mine."

[Pensive]

If anything, we do understand how it feels being young because, believe it or not, we have been there, done it, wore the t-shirt. However, "young ones" don't know how it feels being in our shoes because they haven't reached to that point yet.



I always tell the young whippersnappers who disagree with me, "I was your age once, but you were never mine."

Oops, Scher and Virgil think alike! :p

[Scheherazade]

Oops, Scher and Virgil think alike! :pTechnically, Virgil is agreeing with Papaya there so please stop spreading unfounded rumours!

:p

[sprinks]

And the funniest thing to me now, is Hot Topic. Hot Topic is not punk rock!!
It's awesome - corporate issued, overpriced, punk rock clothes.


There's a song about that too!! :p

an excerpt from Hot Topic Is Not Punk Rock by MC Lars

Hot Topic uses contrived identification with youth sub-cultures to manufacture an antiauthoritarian identity and make millions. That $8 you paid for the Mudvayne poster would be better spent used for seeing your brother's friend's band. DIY ethics are punk rock! Starting your own label is punk rock! GG Allin was punk rock! But when a crass corporate vulture feeds on mass consumer culture, then spending Mommy's money is not punk rock!

[Virgil]

Oops, Scher and Virgil think alike! :p
:eek: :eek2: No way. :lol:


Technically, Virgil is agreeing with Papaya there so please stop spreading unfounded rumours!

:p

Whew! I'm glad you cleared that up. :p :D

[kilted exile]

You don't understand it because you're not young. Kids care a lot about that stuff and beside those boots could give me bad shoe karma.

Jeez, I'm only 26. Thats still young isnt it? Have I reached the zimmer frame age bracket already? Why did nobody tell me? WHat happened to my prime, freaking blip on the radar....:p

[papayahed]

Jeez, I'm only 26. Thats still young isnt it? Have I reached the zimmer frame age bracket already? Why did nobody tell me? WHat happened to my prime, freaking blip on the radar....:p

What? and you're not getting your senior discount yet????

[kelby_lake]

It depends how the logo on it looked.

[Scheherazade]

Jeez, I'm only 26. Thats still young isnt it? Have I reached the zimmer frame age bracket already? Why did nobody tell me? WHat happened to my prime, freaking blip on the radar....:pSee, Kilted! You are already shunned by the young'uns...

Come and join us on the dark side!


What? and you're not getting your senior discount yet????Senior discount??? I always thought it was senile discount... That is what I am getting, at least. At the stores, they always say, "She is senile; give her some discount!"

[Scheherazade]

The OP:
Ha fooled you!!!

Question: Some people buy things just because of the designer name on the label, which we can agree is kind of silly. Is it just a silly not to buy something because of the designer name on the label?

(ie. Someone buys a handbag because it's Coach, Someone else sees a cute bag but doesn't buy it because it says Jessica Simpson. )

[Taliesin]

While not a very brand-conscious person (I have to admit that I tend to buy shoes from one certain company because they have proven to be comfy and lasting but maybe that's just the fanboy in me speaking) I think I can offer a possible viewpoint to this problem - in our modern world, and especially the internet, we are surrounded by constant advertising, which, I think, do not mostly cause the effect of "Ooh! This product has an advert with kittens in! I must buy it now!" but probably work at a more subconscious level. So, one might think that he cannot trust his instincts, because his instincts are ruined by advertising and consciously chooses something something that was not tampered by with advertising.
I would draw a parallel with food - stuff with inserted monosodium glutamate often tastes rather yummy - but the yumminess is caused by meddling with our instinct - so, one might want to choose something that doesn't taste so yummy but has been less meddled with.

Wait a second, this logic doesn't make sense! Well, I'm going to post it anyway.

(There's the question of whether some companies have unethical practices, though.)