Why do people spend $1,000 on shoes?

Question

Then when you say, whoa, that's a lot to pay for shoes, they get real defensive, do you think that is underlying guilt? In marketing, I think it is called cognitive dissonance?

Answer 1

They are responding to your attempt to impose your value system on them. Obviously you are indicating that you would not have spent that kind of money on shoes, implying that what they have done is improper. But they have already done it, so apparently it is fine with their value system. When you attack someone else's value, expect them to be upset.

Upset that I disagreed with your response to their purchase? See? That's not cognitive dissonance, now, is it? It's just a defensive re-action. Cognative Dissonance is when you make someone say something they disagree with repeatedly and it starts to make them change their view.

Answer 2

What is your deal? I apologized to you, you attacked me first, unprovoked. For literally no reason. I apologized, I acted irrationally and in the heat of the moment, yet this is what you do? And I'm the bad person....try taking a look at yourself in the mirror. Your a bad and mean person, someone apologizes because they acted irrationally and you make an attempt to embaress them and put them on the spot. Do you know what the feels like? I told you I do my part, I donate money and put in my own time. But then you go and do this....You really are mean vicous person.

Try living where I do, and being around the people that I am constantly with. It's expected, try being under that pressure and doing the "right" thing, I'm only 21, I don't know what the right thing is, it's a whole lot easier to just fit in. So...that explains me, what about you...Why do you attack people?

Everyone know this question is directed and about me. I posted a question asking for someones opinion on a pair of shoes, and he attacks me, insults me and virtually called me a b*tch that couldn't care less about anyone besides herself. Without ANY knowledge of me or my life.

Oh - and I will add, they were damn cute shoes. <3

Answer 3

They feel and look great Johnnie! If you have the money to shop in places like that you'd agree as well. Life is nice when you can afford the little perks like that. Same thing with a three thousand dollar suit, it's better fabric and a better cut made just for you. Yep, hand made to order shirts, leather bucket seats in the Acura, even small stuff like hand rolled Cuban cigars make life really wonderful, in a materialistic way of course. The mid range life style of the middle and working classes centres around what you can save on your purchases at Walmart and the like. The really nice way to exist is to have stuff that is first rate and who cares what it costs. Most of the really wealthy people I've met over the years have no concept of the buying power of money or what things cost, they simply expect, and get, the best.

Answer 4

Certainly there is an underlying recognition that the purchase price is exorbitance. It is purely an indulgence. I had the same experience when I recently purchased a new Mercedes. With the money that I paid for that car, I could have purchased several cars for the family. Yes, there is some unspoken guilt about the extravagance.

Answer 5

First of all if I paid $1000 for a pair of shoes - they better do the walking for me! But I think people who spend and flaunt that type of spending habits are those who need to feel envied or superior in some freakish nature to others, so when they don't get the reaction of "wow, I wish I could get those" they behave defensively to counter act their guilt. Unless of course these are people like Paris Hilton or someone - then there is absolutely no explanation other than the name itself.

Answer 6

I think it's hardly cognitive dissonance, I think they are just trying to compensate for some underlying need to feel accepted. So they spend lots of money thinking people will like them because of it, and sadly, it works most of the time.

Answer 7

I don't know. Why not purchase the whole cow at that price and make your own shoes, as well as being able to eat for six months.

I don't know if it's cognitive dissonance but it's always an exciting concept to throw into a conversation once in awhile.

That and prolapsed brain fungus.

Answer 8

I guess because they can. Maybe it's some kind of status symbol, or it says, "Look at me! My shoes cost a thousand bucks!" Downside is, if you can't afford the outfits to accomodate the pricey shoes....well, I'm thinking tacky, tacky, tacky.

A funny little story dealing with expensive shoes...I know a woman who dated a sharp dresser. He was an attorney, so he had an over-the-top wardrobe, shoes included. He came to her house one day, and he was wearing $600 Italian loafers. He slipped them off at the back door, and the lovebirds spent a pleasant evening together. When he put them on as he was leaving, the poor chap discovered that her cat had peed in his shoes.
Bad, bad kitty!

He had to drive home barefoot.

They're still together, but I think he wears Sears' brand now. now. At least, to her place!

Answer 9

Okay sonn, so basicly people spend that much money on shoes to fit in with other people, and also because they may be insicure to whom they are trying to be inside. People get defensive because they understand truly that paying that much for a shoe is riddiculous, and they are angry with theirselves to be insicure, or something like that.

Loooves!

Answer 10

Some people are addicted to shopping, others over-shop like some over-eat. It makes them feel good, or wanted, or worthy. Fortunately, I don't have that problem.
I was appalled to find out that my sister-in-law spent a grand for her daughter, who lives with them, and already has 3 dogs and at least three cats, between her and her boyfriend, who ALSO lives with them.