Not necessarily.
South Korea is one example that I have intimate knowledge of where one's consumer habits (the clothes one wears, the car one drives, the logo on one's handbag) is the ultimate signal of status.
You're automatically pre-judged by complete strangers without having to say a single word.
There are always exceptions to the rule, but it is in fact an unspoken rule over there.
The same is true in India. I live in the US, and when I visit relatives in India, they are nonplussed that I can afford a fancier car but choose to drive a Toyota. Clothes, watches, my phone brand - everything is under constant analysis and people feel free to comment on everything. I am used to it now but it gets tiring.
Was going to say this. Am in the US, and have Indian friends, and they are much more brand conscious than the average American.
Living in Canada, I specially choose clothes without branding or branding I can remove.
I don't advertise for free.
Yeah, that's been my strategy since… college.
Nike logo? Polo logo?
Not a chance.
No-logo clothes are actually the ultimate flex now...
Try my best to do the same:)
are you not describing "toxic and superficial" ? I specifically take issue with pre-judgement based on clothes, cars, and logos.
I think he was saying it was an unfair extrapolation to say that OP's limited experience with a small subset of people defined an entire nation.
I'm saying that in the case of South Korea, that extrapolation is very much accurate.
superficial maybe, "toxic" is your own personal idealogy