
I read this article on Why Do Poor People Waste Money on Luxury Goods and it was sobering. I have never been an advocate of fake it till you make it, I rather prefer to maximise the available and get the best possible value for you money. However, reading this put some people’s choices in perspective and I understand better.
We live in a world where it’s a crime to be poor. The poor are met with inhumane treatment, while the rich are revered. The surprising thing here is that this treatment is also mostly from the poor themselves. If you doubt me, drive into a place, say a bank; drive in and withdraw N5k. Stroll in the next day on foot and withdraw a N100k. you will see the difference in treatment from the security staff down to everyone you come across. The greeting you will get when you are behind the wheels is different from when you walk in- that’s if you get any. It doesn’t matter if the car you are driving is owned 99% by the bank through loans and the guy on foot doesn’t have any debt. The person on foot will be treated worse than the person on wheels.
A senior manager once insisted on the use of a Prado jeep to attend a meeting at the head office of a popular bank. The Prado wasn’t available on said day, the Admin team offered the use of a Corolla but this was promptly turned down. Why? On arrival at the bank entrance, a Prado (or a jeep) will be allowed to drive in and drop off its passengers at the bank entrance, while a saloon car will be directed straight to the annex car park. Its passengers have to walk in- same as those who pull up in legedez benz. Or maybe the security staff will still open the gate for those who came in a saloon car, while walk-ins have to open the gate themselves. Lol!
Ok, ditch the wheels. Try wearing formal clothes, well made traditional outfit or even casuals that look designer to a place, and visit the same place with worn casuals or okrika. We will love to hear your experience.
People defer to wealth or some semblance of it. Success is ascribed to you when you look the part. In every industry there’s some measure of success and everyone fuses into it. In the corporate world- it’s the clothing, accessories and car. In the entertainment industry it’s the bling, cars, house, etc etc.
If you think class distinction is a myth, you are wrong. Even the 1% discriminate from the other 9% that make up the top 10%.
So, for most of us who are struggling, perhaps 1st or 2nd generation middle class, there is that subtle struggle to always appear very well put together. Truth is, for most its not to show off. Its just to access the very basic opportunities.
Walk into a government office looking average, work into a government office looking successful- you will see the difference in treatment. It’s a mix of an anticipation of a bribe, plus wariness because they do not know who you know, plus an acknowledgement that you probably know what good likes like.
It’s that last part I want to speak on- when people perceive you know what good looks like; they won’t offer substandard. You will most likely be extorted but on the average, you will also get good service. Good tradeoff? I think so, but I’ll let you decide.
Even in the informal sector; customers and consumers typically gravitate towards a business that looks successful versus one that doesn’t. Faced with options of a scantily filled business place and one filled to the brim with goods, most people will walk into the ‘happening’ business. It’s the reason you will not negotiate at the supermarket or a luxury store but will haggle with a small business owner- the roadside seller. That perception of a successful business signals to you that your purchase is just a drop in an ocean and serves to humble you to fall in line. Versus a smaller business.
Remember, the point here isn’t to live above your means, it’s a call for you to make the best use of available resources knowing that you are addressed as you are dressed i.e: as you appear.
They say; don’t judge a book by its cover but….. please confirm if anyone reads a book to the end before they make a buying decision? What informs a buying decision? The excerpts, the review, the summary, the author’s brand, the books design, etc. all this can be gleaned in the first 30 seconds or so. What’s your excerpt, what’s your brand, how do you present yourself? Fam! Work on your cover! Build your personal brand. Someday soon I will do an article on personal branding. However, I will stop here for now.
Anyways, how are you doing? 1st half of the year is almost over- and I mean this in the most non-pressured way ever. How are you doing?
On movies, series and TV this week,… I watched Glamour Girls, and….

It was ok. I’ve seen quite a bit of opinions on it and…. maybe we all need to calm down.
Or, here’s my POV- movies for me are a way to relax. So, I’m looking for mild drama and entertainment really. Like I said, something to take my mind of reality for 2hours.
Glamour girls- was ok. Met my entertainment requirements. I liked the acting from the ladies- Nse 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Sharon, @tokstarr, Joselyn, etc.
Storyline had some cracks; their editor needs to do better.
I enjoyed this remake better than Rattlesnake and Nneka the Pretty Serpent (all remakes). Given that I cannot remember the story line of the originals, I think this isn’t bad.
I love how they brought back the queen’s (Gloria and Dolly) for a cameo. Great touch 👍
I didn’t sleep through it (it’s a measure- I slept through you people’s 007 fave-Skyfall 😀)
It was entertaining, I’ll give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Have you all seen it? What do you think?
Also, I finished season 1 of the Lincoln Lawyer. Patiently waiting for Season 2 😁
PVC drive continues; INEC has extended the timeline for registration by 2 months I heard. Let’s all take advantage of it.
I wasn’t going to talk about this, cos it’s still hurting. But…. be careful what you wish for. Sometimes a savior/saving act isn’t necessary- work with what you have and make it work.
Brief summary- there was something I expected another to do for me, even fought about said person not doing it for me. So, occasion arose and person stepped up…… and….. anything that could go wrong did. A week down the line, problem not solved, relationship frayed, lesson learnt- sometimes just let certain things be.
Sorry, cannot give more details than that 🤩
Until next week!
XOXO
If this episode has resonated with you, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and share.
I see y’all private chats, I see your support; its much appreciated- and… lets bring it to the blog please 😁
Lots of love!
CE
