3 ms·

It's hard to break old habits or misconceptions. Can't enjoy a meal because it is overpriced. Or similarly, won't pay $3 for a cold drink in the sun at the be

by m463 3y ago

It's hard to break old habits or misconceptions. Can't enjoy a meal because it is overpriced. Or similarly, won't pay $3 for a cold drink in the sun at the beach, since it is $1 in town. In a completely different direction... I played skyrim and noticed that I had lots of upgrades, and great equipment and was kind of overpowered. So, I would go back and play the game naked. (not a new game, just start with the character I had built up) I would start out with no equipment and just make do with whatever I found. Use the first sword or pants I found and go from there. Kind of fun.

mmaniac 3y ago
> It's hard to break old habits or misconceptions. It's especially necessary when one's circumstances change a lot. It's true for pretty much everyone that the opportunity cost of not using your assets increases as you age - but increasing financial security also changes the calculus in a way which is difficult to unlearn.
MaxBarraclough 3y ago
> It's hard to break old habits Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. I've noticed how people hate paying £9 for what ought to be a £7 lunch. Doesn't seem to matter much if they're fresh out of university, or half way through a high-income career. I suppose it shifts from being an immediate financial concern, to an old habit, or perhaps a matter of principle.
- seabass-labrax 3y ago
  I think we fear the implicit judgement that we feel is being made about us. Imagine that everyone knows that the fair price is £7. The restaurant sells it at £9 - what does the make that purchaser? A fool for overpaying - even if they can afford it, even if they actually want to support the restaurant financially, the purchaser will feel judged as a fool. As is often the case with shame, nobody else might even have noticed, let alone actually be judging, but that doesn't negate the feeling! My theory is that a large amount of 'luxury' commerce is simply giving the customer an excuse not to feel shame, because no longer do they feel a fool, but now they are a special customer with discerning tastes. I've fallen for that fallacy many times. Only in very few cases does luxury imply higher quality; usually the illusion is formed by the addition of almost worthless decoration (such as folded napkins in a posh restaurant, bought wholesale for literally two a penny).
veunes 3y ago
> Can't enjoy a meal because it is overpriced. This is my problem precisely with food

by m463 3y ago

mmaniac 3y ago

> It's hard to break old habits or misconceptions. It's especially necessary when one's circumstances change a lot. It's true for pretty much everyone that the opportunity cost of not using your assets increases as you age - but increasing financial security also changes the calculus in a way which is difficult to unlearn.

MaxBarraclough 3y ago

> It's hard to break old habits Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. I've noticed how people hate paying £9 for what ought to be a £7 lunch. Doesn't seem to matter much if they're fresh out of university, or half way through a high-income career. I suppose it shifts from being an immediate financial concern, to an old habit, or perhaps a matter of principle.

seabass-labrax 3y ago
I think we fear the implicit judgement that we feel is being made about us. Imagine that everyone knows that the fair price is £7. The restaurant sells it at £9 - what does the make that purchaser? A fool for overpaying - even if they can afford it, even if they actually want to support the restaurant financially, the purchaser will feel judged as a fool. As is often the case with shame, nobody else might even have noticed, let alone actually be judging, but that doesn't negate the feeling! My theory is that a large amount of 'luxury' commerce is simply giving the customer an excuse not to feel shame, because no longer do they feel a fool, but now they are a special customer with discerning tastes. I've fallen for that fallacy many times. Only in very few cases does luxury imply higher quality; usually the illusion is formed by the addition of almost worthless decoration (such as folded napkins in a posh restaurant, bought wholesale for literally two a penny).

veunes 3y ago

> Can't enjoy a meal because it is overpriced. This is my problem precisely with food