According to one definition, a symbol can be an object or action that serves as a symbol or symbol for something. In the world there are many different symbols: religious, state, astronomical and so on.
What signs exist to describe someone who has an impressive financial condition? If you were asked to describe a rich person, giving him a peculiar characterization, what would you mention? Most likely, you would think about a yacht, cars, expensive watches, suits and parties. Maybe something else? The above signs of wealth are quite common, but there are a few more things that speak about the status of a given person. What are these characters? How strong is their role in our lives? Let's find out.
Important element
Yachts, private jets and fashion watches are common signs of wealth among the elite, but status symbols are changing around the world. They are determined not only by social influence, but also by the cultural and even economic context. Symbols are multifaceted: from the UK to the United Arab Emirates, they range from the presence of prestigious nannies to cars and even falcons.
The evolution of status symbols is also related to their public perception. For example, due to the high cost of living in an expensive city such as New York, a large family is considered a status symbol. And in Singapore, where it is difficult to buy land, owning a home means elite status as a landlord.
Let's get to know some of the characters closer. The following are seven unusual signs of wealth, some of which you are likely to learn for the first time.
Big family
Ph.D. Martin says: “For wealthy mothers in New York, where it is especially expensive to raise children, a large family is considered the main symbol of wealth. People understand that in an era of economic instability, the fact that you are raising several children in a family is an excellent confirmation of that you're always afloat. "
According to Martin, today it is not unusual for a family to have two or three children. But if four, or, even better, five, is not a sign of madness or religiosity, but a symbol of success and wealth.
What is the advantage of large families? Children are not just status symbols, but an opportunity for a mother to be proud of others and to be a leader, emphasizing her individuality. Martin says: “Mothers living on the Upper East Side (Manhattan quarter, the most expensive area) wear tiny medallions with their children’s initials engraved on their necks and rings (one for each child) on their fingers.”
House
Eyewitnesses report that Singapore has special land tenure requirements. This makes home ownership a prime sign of wealth. Billionaires spend millions in this well-developed country buying several houses in luxury neighborhoods.
“Owning a piece of land in Singapore is certainly considered a privilege, because land is the most valuable resource in a city-state,” said Christine Lee, senior director and head of research at Cushman & Wakefield, in an interview. - Over the past five decades, land prices have risen significantly. This contributed to the creation of wealth for the older generation. ”
How much is a foot of land? According to Lee, the most exclusive homes, which are classified as good-class bungalows, have a living area of at least 15,000 square feet (1,400 square meters). There are about three thousand such buildings on the island. And only 5% of the wealthy in Singapore can afford such a pleasure.As a rule, their cost is approximately $ 1,200 (75 thousand rubles) per square foot (0.09 m2).
Indian elite
Rich people from India flock to the London real estate market to buy homes. Black Brick, London’s largest independent procurement agency, reported that the Mayfair area (renting property there is the most expensive in the UK) is one of the most sought after areas for Indian buyers.
Owning a house in Mayfair has become an even more prominent symbol of wealth over time. According to some reports, Black Brick sales among Indian buyers grew by 13%.
A car is a symbol of wealth in Russia
And not just a car, but Class C (first of all, these are elite models of Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen). Luxury cars are a traditional status symbol in many places, but they have a special priority in Russia. Businessman Ilya Merenzon told a magazine that he once met a deputy mayor in a Russian city, who told him: “I never make an appointment without looking at which car a person drives. It must be a BMW, Mercedes or something like that. ”
According to James Ellingworth of the Associated Press, for Russians it is important to have a luxury car. Even if they spend less in other areas of life, buying an elite model for them is an opportunity to declare others their superiority.
And here’s what Tatyana Lukavetskaya, Rolf’s CEO says: “Russians can afford to rent a room on the fifth floor of a Khrushchev-era apartment building and live very poorly, but they will still drive Audi.” She continues: "This is because everyone sees me driving a car (and what kind of car I drive), but almost no one sees how I live."
Nannies of Norland
Norland College is a prestigious European nanny school. You may ask: "Is the presence of a Norwegian nanny status and prestigious?" And there is. They are especially popular in the UK, where their school is based. According to one source, Norland's nannies are the preferred choice, and graduates earn about 50 thousand dollars (!) Per month (more than three million rubles).
As you can see in the photo above, the Norland nanny can be identified by her uniform - a brown dress or trousers, brown boots and dark tights. By the way, the nanny of the royal family, Maria Theresa Borrallo, is also a graduate of Norland College.
Falcons
Yes, in some countries, birds give their owner the status of a rich person. Falconry played a central role in the culture of the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East, where nomads have long used falcons to hunt for food.
In the UAE, falconers train their falcons (which can cost up to $ 60,000 or almost 3.5 million rubles per bird) to participate in the race at the President’s Cup. This is a national competition in which the winner can earn up to $ 7 million in prize money. According to some experts, dear birds have become a status symbol akin to fashionable European sports cars.
Falcons even receive first-class treatment - they are considered pets that have their own passports. They have a special relationship: while traveling on airlines they are kept in special cabins.
Bright clothes and logos
So we got to the clothes. Logos of famous brands are the last symbol in the list of signs of rich people. In China, a special increase in love for bright colors is generally observed: ten years ago, similar clothes with logos aroused contempt there, but today they are valued as a marker of luxury status.
Labbrand consultant (consulting company) Ren Ju says that many residents have become obsessed with hip hop and vibrant street wear. According to him, the popular reality show The Rap of China in China aroused interest in street clothing brands and, perhaps, has become the largest mainstream platform for hip-hop culture and the corresponding appearance in the country's history.
Ren continues: “Stylish clothes seem to give them optimism and confidence in the future. That is why the logos of famous brands have again become popular among Chinese consumers of luxury goods.”