I am returning to the UK for Christmas as I nearly always do. Of course many of my Chinese friends know about my plans and there are inevitably requests for items to buy which I usually politely refuse as it's my one chance to stock up on things that I myself need - shower gel, tea bags, Walkers cheese and onion crisps, that sort of thing.
But what surprises me always is the cost of some of the things I am asked to buy on behalf of girls who are either unemployed or earning a very modest salary. Where does this money come from?
Today for example, a friend of a friend asked if I could buy a Louis Vuitton bag which apparently is 2000 rmb cheaper in London than it is in Shanghai. That's right - not 2000 rmb but 2000 rmb CHEAPER!
This is a country where average incomes barely reach 100 US dollars a month and where university graduates can earn less than 300 dollars a month, but somehow, 1000 dollar luxury brand bags are common requests for today's fashion conscious young Chinese girls.
Don't get me wrong. There are girls here earning good salaries and like their counterparts in Europe, they enjoy spending their money on quality products. But I'm talking about girls who earn next to nothing yet have extremely expensive tastes in clothing and accessories.
It reminds me of the hilarious time in an upscale department store when a German guy was trying to explain to his unhappy young - and to be fair quite attractive Chinese girlfriend why he felt she did not need those US$500 pair of leather boots! I literally followed the couple around the store to listen in on the discussion to see where it went and trying hard not to burst out laughing!
Funny enough, I walk past Selfridges everyday and if you look at the LV concession, 99% of the customers are Chinese!A friend of mine also asked me numerous times to buy an LV bag for her when I go back to China! The Chinese are obsessed with showing off. Those who can't really afford an LV bag will spend their lifetime savings to buy one, just so that when she walks out with her LV bag, she can pretend to be posh and stylish! It's like quite often you see in London some people from the council states carrying LV bags which is bought by the dole money!
Posted by: London Fever | December 12, 2006 at 06:04 PM
Lol @ London Fever. As I was reading your comment I knew just what was coming. In this chavved-up era it always puzzles me as to why they do it. Some girls simply don't get it, I guess. An expensive bag with an otherwise cheap, tacky outfit, makeup, hair-do, etc just looks kinda stupid. Each to their own, I guess.
Posted by: Rich | December 17, 2006 at 08:42 PM