Law in Contemporary Society

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VeblenAndEngagementRings 8 - 01 Apr 2008 - Main.ChristinaYoun
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Concerning our discussion of engagement rings: if an engagement ring is used by a man to vicariously demonstrate his wealth through his soon-to-be wife, does the same idea apply to the quality of a woman’s wedding band? If so, isn't it redundant for the man wear a wedding band as well? Or instead, is the quality of wedding bands, compared to an engagement ring, a conspicuous demonstration of wealth of the _Italic text_couple (and if so, why do they tend to be more modest than engagement rings?)?
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 Recently in the market for engagement rings, I noticed something as I went into stores looking for them. The clothes I wore almost completed dictated what rings I was first shown and the level of attention from sales people (Dress clothes versus a hoodie and jeans). Clothes was completely a cue on my income level and therefore how much I could afford and would be willing to spend.

-- JulianBaez - 31 Mar 2008

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I agree with Julian, but I don't think this phenomenon is unique to the engagement ring market. I suspect almost any market of conspicuously consumable goods will yield the same result. A significant part of a salesperson's job is to assess what a potential customer will/have the ability to spend and to deliver to address those specific needs. Especially if they're working on commission, they won't want to waste any time and cut to the chase.

-- ChristinaYoun - 01 Apr 2008

Mina raises an interesting point. If the wedding band serves to show that he has a wife whom he can shower with expensive gifts, then how do men show that they have mistresses whom they can also shower with expensive gifts? The prostitution ring Spitzer patronized used a one to five star rating system, one being the least attractive to five being the most. Since men obviously cannot use deeply rooted institutions such as the wedding band to show that he has a wife he can adorn, I wonder if men have a way of saying "I have a five star mistress"? [Sorry - perhaps this question is a better fit for a different topic/discussion? Please feel free to move this to a different discussion.]

-- ChristinaYoun - 01 Apr 2008

 
 
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Revision 8r8 - 01 Apr 2008 - 03:12:45 - ChristinaYoun
Revision 7r7 - 31 Mar 2008 - 22:44:52 - JulianBaez
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