I write this as I dine at what some consider a semi-swanky place. This version entails high ceilings, industrial design and décor, and your standard heart-thumping deep-house (at a low volume) playing in the background.

“Swanky” can mean different things to different people at various times. The definition can vary depending on how and where you grew up, your values, gender, income, social circle, and past or present cultural influences.

But overall, I think we all get the picture—a dose of glitz and glam, whether only occasionally or in your daily living circumstances, excites and motivates all of us at some point in our lives. Whether in how we dress, where we dine and travel, our choice of home design and décor, cars, or cultural experiences, everyone has a particular outlet or intake of what they consider an extraordinary lifestyle experience.

UNPACKING THE APPEAL OF “SWANKY”

Physical & Aesthetic

Sensory perception has a lot to do with it. We humans appreciate good design, quality, and excellence in the items we surround ourselves with, whether consciously or not. Have you ever had the experience of blind taste-testing two different quality products and automatically preferring the pricier one without being aware? Or have you been able to spot a knock-off from a mile away?

It’s a natural response to what we consider attractive, followed by the motivation to act to acquire it or be around it in some way, shape or form.

Psychological

If you hail from a family background of a particular socio-economic class, your adult mental approach to the finer things may depend on what that was like. Whether it was elite or less than, it could be the primary motivator behind your tendency to gravitate towards (or away from) luxury experiences.

Sometimes, it’s simply one’s nature that decides one’s tastes. Genetics has a lot to do with it, and it acts completely independently from how you were raised as far as motivating what you may enjoy.

Social

Beginning with our teenage years and sometimes even earlier, our social circles and circumstances begin to slowly dictate the development of our personal tastes and lifestyle preferences. A stylish girlfriend in high school, an elementary school classmate who hosted phenomenal sleepovers solely because her parents owned a dream home that could accommodate them—things like this that influence our adult tastes.

Additionally, social norms, the unwritten rules that govern behaviour within a culture, also impact how luxury is perceived. These norms can dictate what is considered appropriate or desirable regarding luxury consumption.

Emotional

According to this article, people buy luxury goods despite being unable to afford them for several reasons, including a sense of irrationality, a belief that a higher price equals higher quality, a desire for higher self-esteem, and a desire for a sense of accomplishment.

Pause and think about the next time your credit card hovers over a financial decision that feels desperate. You know what that feels like if you pay close enough attention.

Cultural

Certain cultural backgrounds embody a higher level of opulence and an affinity for materialism than others. These values ultimately shape what individuals within a culture consider luxurious.

Due to various factors such as an upturn in the nation’s economy, interdependence amongst citizens, or egalitarianism and competition – cultures such as China, Russia, India, and the USA lead the charge in this regard.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope what you have read has somehow educated, informed, or inspired you.

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