Society's status symbols have changed

[NicD]

here is something we can all agree on (the car bit):

A survey (paid by Quidco!) showed just how much times have changed in the space of a generation.
Thirty years ago, a dishwasher, a mobile phone and a colour TV were thought of as signs of having money.

Top status symbols of 1980
Car phone
Dishwasher
Children attending private school
Two cars
Holidays abroad
Conservatory
Pony
Colour TV
Diamond Jewellery
Cordless phone

Top status symbols now:

High-performance car
Designer watch
Swimming pool
First-class travel
Second home
Tennis courts
Children attending private school
Holiday home abroad
Home with electric gates
Nanny

[HOGEPH]

Why would having a goat be a status symbol?

[NicD]

gives them something else to milk?

[Blib]

I've got a car phone!

[944fan]

I have most of the 80s list and only one of the now list. I am lagging behind somewhat.

[Kinky]

944fan said:

I have most of the 80s list and only one of the now list. I am lagging behind somewhat.

Look on the positive side .... in 30 years time you'll have a nanny

[simoid]

944fan said:

I have most of the 80s list and only one of the now list. I am lagging behind somewhat.

I've only got 5/10 and 0/10. Must work much harder.

Or complain about Tories and bankers

[GT03ROB]

NicD said:

Top status symbols of 1980
Car phone
Dishwasher
Children attending private school
Two cars
Holidays abroad
Conservatory
Pony
Colour TV
Diamond Jewellery
Cordless phone

7/10

NicD said:

Top status symbols now:

High-performance car
Designer watch
Swimming pool
First-class travel
Second home
Tennis courts
Children attending private school
Holiday home abroad
Home with electric gates
Nanny

4/10

I've gone backwards,

[simoid]

GT03ROB said:

4/10

I've gone backwards,

You mean we've all gone forwards?

[GT03ROB]

simoid said:

GT03ROB said:

4/10

I've gone backwards,

You mean we've all gone forwards?

.....& left me behind....ah well I was a big fan of Duran Duran.....

[chris watton]

NicD said:

Top status symbols of 1980
Car phone
Dishwasher
Children attending private school
Two cars
Holidays abroad
Conservatory
Pony
Colour TV
Diamond Jewellery
Cordless phone

1/10

NicD said:

Top status symbols now:

High-performance car
Designer watch
Swimming pool
First-class travel
Second home
Tennis courts
Children attending private school
Holiday home abroad
Home with electric gates
Nanny

1/10



ETA - I didn't even have a landline phone, let alone mobile, until 1994!

Edited by chris watton on Monday 21st April 11:10

[boyse7en]

NicD said:

Top status symbols of 1980
Car phone
Dishwasher
Children attending private school
Two cars
Holidays abroad
Conservatory
Pony
Colour TV
Diamond Jewellery
Cordless phone

4/10 for me

NicD said:

Top status symbols now:

High-performance car
Designer watch
Swimming pool
First-class travel
Second home
Tennis courts
Children attending private school
Holiday home abroad
Home with electric gates
Nanny

1/10 (what actually counts as "high performance"?)

[Negative Creep]

NicD said:

Top status symbols of 1980
Car phone
Dishwasher
Children attending private school
Two cars
Holidays abroad
Conservatory
Pony
Colour TV
Diamond Jewellery
Cordless phone

2/10

NicD said:

Top status symbols now:

High-performance car
Designer watch
Swimming pool
First-class travel
Second home
Tennis courts
Children attending private school
Holiday home abroad
Home with electric gates
Nanny

0/10

[RealSquirrels]

i reject society's symbols and have my own, chiefmost of which is an overbearing sense of my own superiority.

[simoid]

boyse7en said:

1/10 (what actually counts as "high performance"?)

Expensive/ at least £300pcm on PCP?

[chris watton]

simoid said:

boyse7en said:

1/10 (what actually counts as "high performance"?)

Expensive/ at least £300pcm on PCP?

What about owning everything you have (including cars) outright?

We own everything we have (including house), hell, I am even in credit with my Visa for about £20! but only have 1 out of 10 of those 'status symbols' listed!

[Ozzie Osmond]

NicD said:

here is something we can all agree on (the car bit):

Not so sure about that. For instance I'd suggest,

Top status symbols of 1980s
High-performance car.

Top status symbols of 1990s
High-performance car.

Top status symbols now:
A big lump of SUV.

[NicD]

or both a fast car and an SUV!

and owning what you have counts the most!

it ties in with those other strands, posh pawn and high earners at the so called food banks.

Instead of 'Don't spend what you don't have and put some away for later', we have the OK/Hello fake celeb culture.

[Foppo]

When somebody bows for you that is a status symbol.You know you've made it in this crazy world of ours.

Cars are bits of metal on wheels, status symbol nah.

[Martin4x4]

NicD said:

Top status symbols of 1980
Car phone
Dishwasher
Children attending private school
Two cars
Holidays abroad
Conservatory
Pony
Colour TV
Diamond Jewellery
Cordless phone

My working class parents 3/10

NicD said:

Top status symbols now:
High-performance car
Designer watch
Swimming pool
First-class travel
Second home
Tennis courts
Children attending private school
Holiday home abroad
Home with electric gates
Nanny

Me as supposed professional middle class/higher rate tax payer 0/10
(Though I could have some if I choose to, I don't buy into this whole 'designer label' mind set).

Edited by Martin4x4 on Monday 21st April 12:51