Not necessarily.

South Korea is one example that I have intimate knowledge of where one's consumer habits (the clothes one wears, the car one drives, the logo on one's handbag) is the ultimate signal of status.

You're automatically pre-judged by complete strangers without having to say a single word.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but it is in fact an unspoken rule over there.

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RigelKentaurus 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

The same is true in India. I live in the US, and when I visit relatives in India, they are nonplussed that I can afford a fancier car but choose to drive a Toyota. Clothes, watches, my phone brand - everything is under constant analysis and people feel free to comment on everything. I am used to it now but it gets tiring.

	▲	computerdork 3 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Was going to say this. Am in the US, and have Indian friends, and they are much more brand conscious than the average American.

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bryceacc 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

are you not describing "toxic and superficial" ? I specifically take issue with pre-judgement based on clothes, cars, and logos.

	▲	giwook 2 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I think he was saying it was an unfair extrapolation to say that OP's limited experience with a small subset of people defined an entire nation. I'm saying that in the case of South Korea, that extrapolation is very much accurate.
	▲	snapcaster 2 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		superficial maybe, "toxic" is your own personal idealogy