De one with Branded and It's Acceptance

Sunny and windy

When I was a little boy, my mummy asked if I would buy branded goods. Without hesitation, I replied very confidently that I wouldn't. Ironically, ended up being spoiled with satisfaction of un-resistable temptation to own something which costs heavily - I didn't manage to keep to what I said in the past.

To be frank, branded goods are really a gift from Gods in the eyes of many. Particularly, our teenagers. Of course, all thanks to Peer Pressure. What ever the majority has, we must have too! Kiasu ("scared of losing" in Hokkien)? Maybe..

In relevance to this, there was an instance during my JC days when I bought this Billabong bag which costs $98, so that I carry a bag that is able to look good hanging low and bump my butt whenever I walked with the backpack, just like what my peers did. What's more wasteful? I also owned an oversized Billabong stationary case, just like my peers too. Thinking back, it was really a waste of money!

Hang on a minute.. not very convinced that it's entirely due to peer pressure which leads to this obsession with branded goods right? There's another culprit, which later became a part of my examinated-area in economics and marketing at university level.

Perhaps, needless to say, we're all aware of it's presence, sadly, we didn't really know of it's terminology. It's the Snob Effect. We like to possess something to "show off" or extravagantly, make known to others about our wealth and status.

A very good example would be buying a VERTU phone. Yes, we can't deny that fact that the exclusive design and diamonds mounted on the exterior are alluringly desirable. However, come down from the clouds and be rational about the functions of the phone. Personally, I feel you're not paying for the functions but the glamor of Vertu.. and of course, the sight of your friends' eyes popping wide upon the awesome sight of those sparkling shimmers - it's priceless.

HA! I guess one hilarious fact was that it'd have been unsafe and impractical to be wearing our "actual" money notes and big name tags to tell who we are.

Don't believe me? Printed designs.. yes. But have anyone ever saw any designers clothes made of actual dollar notes?

For the rest, I believe it's an "inexcludable" under their image of luxury. In certain cases, it's true that branded goods are brought with intentions way beyond the all-time favourite "nominees" for the cause of branded-purchase (as mentioned above). Consumers may choose branded goods over cheaper alternatives, innocently due to our belief and trust upon the quality-credibility and durability. Take Fujitsu laptop. It's a Japanese-manufactured product (from the birthplace of high and infallible technology). Thus, being one of the most desirable brand in the lap-top arena.

Of course, there are the left-overs in the population who are in between all we've discussed. They make branded-purchases for populace and functions. Honestly, I believe alot of us fall into such category. Simply because there's no clear distinction between buying branded goods for it's quality or external influences.

Let's bring Apple's mp3 player, the Ipod, into discussion. The Ipod is superior attributed by it's design due to the famous sensor turn-wheel; it's "drag and add", "scroll and play" user-friendliness; and also, it's heart-capturing funky and successful advertising.

Not forgetting it's one of the earliest pioneer in selling a product that not only allows listening to songs but also doubling its function as an external drive for storing data.

Of course, for those who are vain, you might realise another useful function that the metallic surface of the back of an Ipod, could be used as a handy mirror. Hehe.

All these qualities of this light-weight portable gadget fulfills most, if not, all the possible reasons why we bought this expensive branded device.

I believe when surveyed, very few consumers would only mention one of the many causes as their sole reason to consider Ipod as an ideal mp3 (currently, supporting even mp4 files) player!

Well, let's converge our discussion. Just simply ask yourself a question. What's the first thing that surfaces in your mind whenever you're asked about "Branded"? Personally, I'd would consider Clothings!!

That's right. Fashion is undeniably a major icon whenever we talked about branded goods. Jay Chou attending a Golden award ceremony, would less likely be wearing a G2000 suit. Just like anybody attending a grand ceremony, we'll tend to desire putting on a handsome blazer from Zara for Him and let's see... maybe a dress for Hers from DKNY? Of course, that's if we have the purchasing power.

Limme present a personal experience... My parents spent nearly $600 to equipped me with a presentable suit from Domanchi for my secondary school graduation prom-night. Why presentable? Because it's unique, it's branded!

But then again, ever since then, it was a hussle to go clothes-hunting. There after, I never liked going for anymore prom nights. Yucks!

Dressing good lifts our self-confidence. It boost our charm and beauty tremendously too. Just like Cinderella, a dazzling ball gown transformed her totally as compared to a shabby maiden's dress right?

Apart from self-confidence, we yearned for the feeling of belonging. To be more exact, to feel accepted. By thyself or others? Well, most probably, we desired to be accepted by others.

In further discussion, I'd like to bring you to discovery of being able to identify ourselves with a certain group or some sort of psyche-comfort (some might argue it is the same as social status..well, I give it to you lah) through ownership or even just by having the same ideal and desire about certain branded goods. Hehe.

Referring back to the possession of Billabong stuff in JC, though silly, it felt good to be recognised with the JC student image. Ha! If ONLY I had realised my JC uniform and our way of speaking were enough to giveaway a JC student identity. Omg.

Well, branded goods are truly expensive. Some are worth buying. Some are really just a waste of money. Some are brought on impulse. Some are bought with hard-earned and long term saving.

Today, I supposed due to economic prosperity and culture variations, parents are more willing to splurge on their children. Omg! Good thing? well, kids are really fortunate. Look at kids nowadays, they are wearing Billabongs when the Y-generation only got to wear during JC and secondary level. Naive but true, it improves our economy through purchases.

Here comes the bad side. Firstly, it's a wastage of money. Secondly, it might be detriment to the up-bring of our present younger generation. They might think it's natural and okay to spend on branded.

Personally, I feel that it's really ruining the fashion industry. Ha. as in, any Tom, Dick or Harry (not Harry Potter oki.. he wears Hogwarts robe and sweaters for goodness..) are now wearing anything they like. Well... it's difficult but imagine. Imagine what if little girls in primary schools are already wearing jewellery from Tiffanys? Or lovers in secondary schools are increasingly exchanging gifts from Guess and LV??

Should such bizarre situation occurs, what prestige are there for adults? Maybe in Utopia or every adults are millionaires ba!

Alot would deem branded goods as acceptance. However, today, it's no longer the case. Grateful to advanced technology and increasing support for innovations and creativity, increasing young adults are contented with cheaper alternatives. Not forgetting, the black markets and shopping in Malaysia or Thailand. The emergence of JetStar has made it possible to travel!

Trends have also allow people to feel accepted even wearing non-branded goods. Some very good example is the "retro" craze. Marketing efforts by merchandise have also helped a great deal. The introduction of "Being true" champaign by Levis recently have made individualism as fashionable too.

Branded or not? To me, it's like I'm sitting on a balancing beam. If you need it, then make the purchase with consideration of your financial ability.

Branded or not? Nobody really cares unless you're mixing with friends who are superficial. Well...as advertised by the Heeren: "Don't let your clothes wear you, you wear your clothes". Of course, it doesn't have to be only subjected to clothes only. Your belongings and those IT gadgets too!

Branded or not? Mohan and I discussed and agreed before. It doesn't matter whether you own a pair of Levis or G-star jeans, nobody cares unless they have knowledge to differentiate it.

Any last words from me? wahaha! Judge yourself. Don't subject yourself to critics and those articles which teaches you want to wear or what to own. Of course, considering friendly advices wouldn't hurt. :D