Keeping Down with the Joneses

Frugality is all the rage these days. For many people, though, thrift is just another fashion statement, yet another accessory that one wears in order to impress. In today's Washington Post, Kelly Marages had a scathing commentary on this bizarre trend that glamorizes the economic downturn. I liked her observations on the evaporation of common sense:

We've been told to go shopping in our closets. Cute -- but what does it mean? That I should take a shirt and pair it with some pants or a skirt that I haven't already matched it to? Call me crazy, but isn't that just called getting dressed? Or does it mean I should -- heavens, no! -- re-wear an outfit that I've worn before?

All of this recessionista business is, I think, just showing off by other means. I have nothing against any kind of lifestyle as long as it is genuine. I love being around people who are full of joie de vivre, who eat, drink and are merry. Seeking pleasure because one enjoys the good things of life is fine as long as the pleasure-seeking is to satisfy one's own desire for enjoyment, gluttony, happiness, whatever. In fact, one does not have to be wealthy to live life large (although money does help). It is repulsive, however, to observe people pursuing pleasure in order to show off their fine clothes and their money to others. The same principle applies to simplicity. If you like things simple, that's great. I'm all for whatever brings you peace of mind (I'm a die-hard "value shopper" myself). But the minute people start bragging about how "simple" they are - why then, frugality is just another way to show off one's superiority and to be snobby and judgmental about other people.