Are FSUW materialistic?

[Larry1]

An exchange of views was begun on this question in the "Advice" thread. It seems to me that it's an interesting question and it might be helpful to have its own thread. I've been asked this question more than once. I've pasted a few posts here:

Actually, on average, the Eastern European gals are more materialistic than American gals.

I'm not sure that I believe that Eastern European women are more materialistic than Western Women.  If you are talking to a lady from Ukraine, there is a good chance she has never driven a car.  In United States if a girl reaches the age of 20 and does not have a car of her own, or access to one, life is pretty bad.

There are minor material comforts that an EE woman will not do without.  She will find a way to have nice clothes .... especially boots.   

She will probably have a nice phone.   In the case of Ukraine, her phone will probably operate with two Sim cards.

But, for the most part, standard of living and disposable income limit the amount of money an EE woman has to play with.

It's not the level of material items they currently have that shows the level of materialism.  Of course, in the Eastern European situation they have less than in USA.

It's the level of material things they desire that defines a materialistic person.

I've come to know only a small number of FSUW well enough to make a judgment, so I realize that what I've seen might well be not representative of the entire population.  I think one FSUW I dated was definitely materialistic. Her life revolved around expensive stuff she bought or wanted to buy. But none of the others appeared to be materialistic. 

[Jumper]

I answered in the other thread Larry - but here is my take:

I have seen materialism in the FSU, certainly among the MOB segment.
That comes a bit naturally? Those that would want more than the average local person , and available locally, would a bit naturally look elsewhere for it

Certain areas or cities in the West are noted for this as well?

Spending time with normal folk in the FSU, i have never noticed them wanting more in life than the average person in the west.
Often taking more enjoyment from the simply things in life and a bit closer to families.Perhaps driven by necessity,yet result the same.

A man traveling there meeting a certain segment of the society, either MOB, or business executives ,  would get a different view I think.

Same as meeting  a thousand women from the average western home..
with normal family life will show different expectations than meeting  the wealthy gals of North Dallas, aspiring actresses in LA.. etc.

 If comparing the same level of socio-economic status , lets say NYC's aspiring professionals , vs Kiev's, i cant see much difference in material expectations?

Compare the average happily married FSU woman in Poltova, to one in Springfield  Il, do you think there is truly much difference?

Now  compare the springfield wife, to the aspiring hot young FSU women wanting a foreign man (that foreign men seek) and you've got a point for sure.

I just think apples to apples comparisons are often not  made,its not even apples to oranges..  more like applies to paperclip. its not even remotely the same.

Within the same relative groups, expectations in life regarding material things  seems to be the same.

If guys go dating an elitist LA party girl , they know what to expect, why should the be shocked if Kiev's metropolitan club hoppin hottie likes/expects her bling just as much ?

Guys often do not date in the same social circles in this endeavor..
(both directions)
the misunderstandings are just as often about those differences, ,as cultural ones.

[BillyB]

Actually, on average, the Eastern European gals are more materialistic than American gals. -ML

Addressing what ML wrote, that may be due to the fact that the average FSU women depends on a man to be the breadwinner. A man in their life may be required to take care of their needs. Doesn't mean a bad thing. A Western guy, who is used to dating Western women who are able to take care of their own needs financially may be shocked to learn an FSU women may depend on him more financially.


I've dated FSU women in the States who seem to watch their money well and ask me for nothing. My wife sometimes will use coupons. Every person from any culture should be judged as an individual.


But for the newbies out there, make no mistake, if a woman from any culture takes you shopping and asks you to buy her stuff early on in dating, she's at a minimum rude, if not taking advantage of you. Move on.

[Misha]

Addressing what ML wrote, that may be due to the fact that the average FSU women depends on a man to be the breadwinner.

How do you define "average"? The fact of the matter is that most women in Russia work and more than a few are the primary "breadwinner." I don't know of any couples in Russia where the woman does not work, with the exception of those women who have small children and are on maternity leave.

[Jumper]

I actually know of more couples where the woman works, but the man is in between jobs ?

[Misha]

I actually know of more couples where the woman works, but the man is in between jobs ?

Yes, and I know of even more couples where the woman earns more than her husband   

[BillyB]

How do you define "average"? The fact of the matter is that most women in Russia work and more than a few are the primary "breadwinner."

Yes, there are many women who work in the FSU, even harder than the men, but they didn't enter into those relationships believing they'd be the breadwinner and their husband is going to sit home.

[Misha]

Yes, there are many women who work in the FSU, even harder than the men, but they didn't enter into those relationships believing they'd be the breadwinner and their husband is going to sit home.

Ah, so what are "those" relationships and how it that tied to materialism?

[CDW]

In answer to your title question, it depends on the woman.

I would avoid such woman who has photos with her 'LV' handbag, for example, regardless if the LV is real or not.

For the reason, I do not really like to see women with "studio" photographs in any dating sites where they only posted "studio" photos, because it is harder for us to judge their characters.

[Misha]

In answer to your title question, it depends on the woman.

Pretty much. If anything, I am more materialistic than my wife 

[southernX]

imho

NO , my wife and most of the FSU women i know are not , however they do like and tend to selectively buy good quality items , not cheap junk , so maybe thats why some blokes might call them materialistic
because wehn they do buy it is more expensive than what they are used
the younger generation may have be more similar to western standards though in entitlement attitude

SX

[BillyB]

I would avoid such woman who has photos with her 'LV' handbag, for example, regardless if the LV is real or not.

My wife has Coach, Michael Kors, and Gucci handbags. Could Louis Vuitton be next? Like most people, she likes quality products but she doesn't want to overpay and will shop outlet stores getting 60% and more off high dollar items.


I'm editing to add: I want and enjoy my wife looking good so what she buys doesn't bother me as long as she's a smart shopper.

[SANDRO43]

Could Louis Vuitton be next?

For your sake, I hope not .

A plastic bag costing $ 1,700 ?

[Misha]

My wife has Coach ... will shop outlet stores

Stores like this one: [size=78%]http://www.canadaoutlet2014.com/[/size]


Buying purses from $29 to $70 are not exactly what I would call being materialistic

[Gator]

Materialism has many measures, one is insistence on luxury labels. 

Everyone wants luxury.  However, FSUW do not have a long history of experience with luxury goods.  So some FSUW may insist upon luxury brands to distinguish quality rather than do the work of making a value analysis based on fabric, construction, artistry, price, etc. 

My wife and her RW friends love the outlet and discount stores as Misha noted.  She occasionally buys me something, and each time it is high quality at a value price, frequently with a high-end label that she knew nothing about. 

[GQBlues]

My wife has Coach, Michael Kors, and Gucci handbags. Could Louis Vuitton be next? Like most people, she likes quality products but she doesn't want to overpay and will shop outlet stores getting 60% and more off high dollar items.

I'm editing to add: I want and enjoy my wife looking good so what she buys doesn't bother me as long as she's a smart shopper.

I bet she looks very stylish coming out of her 1987 (or is it '85?) Ford Granada (with over 100,000 miles is it?) clutching on the outlet-bought Coach bags, eh Billy?

[GQBlues]

For your sake, I hope not .

A plastic bag costing $ 1,700 ?

Don't be surprise to learn these items actually 'retain' value and are customarily sold 'used' for a princely sum. A lot of celebrities get rid of their used handbags this way. There's stores online specifically for used name brand items, Sandro.

[GQBlues]

More on Outlet stores:

It used to be huge in SoCal. I guess for the most part, it still is for a certain demographic in our area. It's great for hubbies of FOBs whose wives aren't yet aware or simply don't know any better and impress their respective partners some 'false sense of indulgence'.

These stores are also great for traveling/visiting foreigners. Unless you come from countries where these factories are located in, China, Thailand, Mexico, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Taiwan, etc...

Outlet stores are legal scams. While each store have their own ways of filling inventories, largely most of the items sold in outlet stores are not the same in quality regardless of the name label. Materials used in manufacturing of most of these are inferior to the ones you'd buy directly from their 'home' stores, or even department stores (as in the cases of Calvin Kleins, DKNY, WHBM, B-R, Coach, etc...). Mostly, you have a 3-tiered level of quality. Home Stores, department stores, then your nice outlet stores.

The label is legit, the materials used generally are not. Leather, cotton, composites, etc..have varying degree of quality. More often than not, they also have different 'factories' that supplies the varying stores. Check the SKUs or stock numbers of garments, items, etc...and get online and do a search within their stores, or even call customer service of the the brand and the items you bought in an outlet store will not be in their stock.

Then you have brands like Skechers, O'Neils, Van Hausens, Kenneth Cole, etc...basically what they do, since they are not known as top-tiered brands; they sell items that saw the prime stores showroom 2-3 years ago. In essence, overstocked items that didn't sell then and hoped to be sold now at generally 20-30% of retail price. This is true for highly trendy products and items.

Wifey stumbled upon outlet stores when her FSUW circle took her in one to shop years ago. She was fit to be tied and couldn't wait to come home to tell me how her money can go a long way shopping the 'brands' she once thought were ridiculously priced at retail. LOL. She really believed she's making a helluva bargain. In essence she was. It took me introducing her to a good friend of mine who is a regional distributor for a name brand clothing store that assured her that yes, they come from totally different factories and which is why they're, for the most part, cheap(er) and you won't find the exact same items sold in retail shops and in outlet stores. If that wasn't enough to convince her, it took an accidental meet with one of VS's angel model in 3rd Street promenade's Starbuck's we happened to chat with one day who pretty much told her the same thing.

Outlet-bought items do have 'some' merit. You're wearing name brands after all. Just buyer beware. Wifey still shops outlet stores but only for very specific items. Now and then, when visitors come, she'd occasionally take them to one.

[Hammer2722]

My girlfriend likes to buy good quality items but she refuses to pay top dollar for those items. I otfen go shopping with her and am amazed at the great deals she finds for both herself and for me.

[Daveman]

...

Outlet stores are legal scams. While each store have their own ways of filling inventories, largely most of the items sold in outlet stores are not the same in quality regardless of the name label. Materials used in manufacturing of most of these are inferior to the ones you'd buy directly from their 'home' stores, or even department stores (as in the cases of Calvin Kleins, DKNY, WHBM, B-R, Coach, etc...). Mostly, you have a 3-tiered level of quality. Home Stores, department stores, then your nice outlet stores.

The label is legit, the materials used generally are not. Leather, cotton, composites, etc..have varying degree of quality. More often than not, they also have different 'factories' that supplies the varying stores. Check the SKUs or stock numbers of garments, items, etc...and get online and do a search within their stores, or even call customer service of the the brand and the items you bought in an outlet store will not be in their stock.

...

Very interesting.  I had no idea this is going on.  I *assumed* that the items were merely a little outdated (according to the fashion police) or mildly blemished seconds in some way.  Live and learn. 

[tfcrew]

The younger generation everywhere has by and large  become more worldly.

[GQBlues]

Very interesting.  I had no idea this is going on.  I *assumed* that the items were merely a little outdated (according to the fashion police) or mildly blemished seconds in some way.  Live and learn.

I don't know how it is elsewhere, Daveman...but where we are, the stores need to tell the consuming public whenever an item is being sold with blemishes, damage, etc...

The regulations behind the Outlet market is that items slated for sale in outlet stores can not be shipped for sale at any other of their respective *higher* stores. This is to protect the public. Thus *exchanges/returns* of items bought from an outlet store to their 'home/department' stores cannot be done. And hopefully, as you know now, there is a reason for that.

[Daveman]

I don't know how it is elsewhere, Daveman...but where we are, the stores need to tell the consuming public whenever an item is being sold with blemishes, damage, etc...

The regulations behind the Outlet market is that items slated for sale in outlet stores can not be shipped for sale at any other of their respective *higher* stores. This is to protect the public. Thus *exchanges/returns* of items bought from an outlet store to their 'home/department' stores cannot be done. And hopefully, as you know now, there is a reason for that.

I would imagine that the regulations here are similar though one never really knows in the wacky South.  I'm sure that the outlet system makes much its bread and butter through the excessive ignorance of people who make such assumptions as mine.

Funny how tricks of trades makes perfect sense after the (even if self induced) illusion is revealed.

[Slumba]

I would certainly recommend a book called "Deluxe" by Dana Thomas which goes into the marketing and production of luxury goods.

http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-How-Luxury-Lost-Luster/dp/0143113704

BTW I recommend learning how to spot quality in clothing (at least in men's) and to know enough about how machines do stitching to be able to spot both good quality and poor quality work.  Coach bags are atrocious in this regard.

[jone]

While I agree with much of what GQ said, I will say that the business model of some merchandising companies is to embrace the outlet mall as a means of distributing the standard line of merchandise.  A name brand company will sometimes recognize the outlet mall as simply an extended line of distribution and not necessarily sell items at a discount. 

For instance, you can get AirJordans at the Nike Outlet Store, but that doesn't mean you are going to get a (large) discount.  Maybe you will get an overhead discount.  (How much do shoes really cost to make anyway?)

Just a thought.