Good Taste or Spoiled?

[CuTe_ClAsSy]

I just read this thread all the way through. I wasn't intending on reading it all when a friend first sent me the link, but after I saw some of the comments made here I did. After reading it, I realize I shouldn't have wasted my time, although I did learn one valuable thing from this thread: Highschool really never does end, does it?
Let me start by saying from a teen's perspective I am ashamed of the way grown women attack not only one another, but teenagers. We are just kids. That is absolutely ridiculous. And then some of you actually have the audacity to insult not only us, but our parents, and our entire upbringing? Nobody has the right to call somebody they don't even know spoiled. Since when does carrying a designer handbag make you spoiled? This thread sounds like a bunch of catty, jealous highschool girls. As a teen I would never even consider insulting a stranger like that, based on what they wear on their arm. Even over at the teen thread we can settle our differences in opinion with more class. I think a lot of you ladies need to grow up.
Personally, I don't think it matters at all whether teens carry designer bags or not. It doesn't matter whether their parents bought them or they bought them with their own money. It is ridiculous to judge somebody by a purse. Do I like designer purses? Yes. Do I carry designer purses? Yes. Does that make me a spoiled ungrateful brat, as some of you would imply? No. I love fashion, and my parents contribute to what I love. Personally, If I had a child, I would want her to have what she loves as well. If parents can afford to buy their children designer bags, what's the problem? And what makes someone think a teenager can not appreciate a bag that is bought for them? What makes anybody think that they are better than anybody else because they bought their own bag, and not their parents? It just sounds like they are bitter and jealous to me, but I could be wrong. Personally, I don't really care. We're on a fashion forum because we all love fashion, who cares how we require our designer goods? Bottom line: it is our life, and not yours. We don't pass judgment on you, you shouldn't pass judgment on us.

[lvuittonaddict]

well, the first thought that comes to my mind is, "omg, that is such a cute bag!"

people who get mad or upset at other people having designer bags are usually jealous. you don't know that person's story, or the story behind their parents getting them a designer bag. there are alot of different reasons...
1. they could be spoiled... why does it matter? their parents aren't spending your money
2. they could have saved and bought it themselves
3. maybe it was a one time only thing that their parents did special for them
4. maybe its a hand-me-down from a relative
etc.... who cares? at the end of the day... what they eat, dont make you sh*t...

[LadyLouboutin08]

Originally Posted by lvuittonaddict

well, the first thought that comes to my mind is, "omg, that is such a cute bag!" people who get mad or upset at other people having designer bags are usually jealous. you don't know that person's story, or the story behind their parents getting them a designer bag. there are alot of different reasons... 1. they could be spoiled... why does it matter? their parents aren't spending your money 2. they could have saved and bought it themselves 3. maybe it was a one time only thing that their parents did special for them 4. maybe its a hand-me-down from a relative etc.... who cares? at the end of the day... what they eat, dont make you sh*t...

I said I was done replying in this thread, but the bolded part made me giggle....I've never heard anybody say that before....

[PurpleRose]

I think a lot of posters have missed the point of the thread. The question was not "What do you do/say when you see a teen with an expensive bag?" The question was (to quote the OP) "What is your immediate reaction when you see a young girl/teenager (maybe around 16-18 y/o) with an expensive (and real) designer bag?" The people who are responding to the question saying that they think the teen is spoiled aren't necessarily saying this aloud to the teen. Also, we ALL are guilty of making judgments about people, both good and bad.

FWIW, I find it very hard to believe that the same teens who are so upset about being seen as "spoiled" have never judged another person. That's not to say that judging someone is right, but everyone has done it at one point or another. Yes, maybe some people are jealous of a teen carrying an expensive bag that they cannot afford. Perhaps they did not have a good relationship with their parents as a child and are envious of that instead. However, someone can think you're spoiled all they like, but does it really make a difference in your day? Why worry about what a stranger thinks of you?

Also, while you might be upset that they are judging you for your belongings, but I guarantee you that those same people are also being judged on something. Just some food for thought...

[cakegirl]

People are merely answering the OP's original question. I am not sure why others feel personally attacked by that. Having a different opinions does not qualify as a personal attack-this could have become an interesting dialogue on materialism and the way things have changed in the last 20-30 years. Accusations of being jealous or "not having a life" quite honestly just sound childish.

[canada's]

Originally Posted by DreamingBeauty

^^I don't see working to get a bag as a negative thing at all. If the bag is the motivation to get a job, hey, at least something is making that person get a job when otherwise they may not have. No matter what the job is, they will learn a lot from it and grow as a person. You learn how to listen to a boss, how to get along with coworkers, punctuality, professionalism, how to network, specific skills that may be helpful in the future. You can't learn everything you need to know in life from just going to school, education is very important but I do believe everyone should work some job before they start their actual career.

you're completely right. i mean a kid has to learn these things eventually, so they may as well do it in high school and reward themselves with a bag at the end of it if they choose.

[Ilin]

My first thought is that they are spoiled.

When I were small I never got more than about a 100€ worth in Christmas and Birthday presents, my family could never afford to take a trip to a foreign country and I got about 16€ from my parents per month as pocket money.

Most people I know/knew had a situation like this. So I don't understand how those girls would be able to spend at least 1000-2000 (or more) on a bag. For me, it would have taken several years. Maybe if they work, but it's very hard to get a job if you're under 18.

Lots of people in this thread have said that they have gotten is as a "reward" for getting good grades in school. Getting good grades is a kind of work, I agree, but it is for YOU, not for your parents. You will get the reward for your studies in the FUTURE, in the form of a good JOB. If your parents buy you something like that as a "reward" for getting good grades or not eating any candy in a year, then you are spoiled.

Being spoiled isn't a bad thing, though. So don't get upset. I think everyone should be spoiled.

[PerkeMe]

Last week I went to see my 12 y/o nephew play hockey.

A friend's son hugged me from behind and when I turned around to chat I noticed his girlfriend had a new Coach Poppy and it was crazy cute! Her mom had a Coach signature bag and the other lady talking to them had a pretty cobalt sabrina. It was like the summer preview!

Back to point...this girl was about 15 and had a brand new Coach. That cost a fraction of what her parents paid for her brother to play hockey in this league! My sister spends a fortune on hockey fees, skates, ice time, uniforms......so this girl got a Coach instead of a new hockey stick! So what?

I could have one of everything for what I paid for baseball for my son. One bat can easily cost $300 and up! New glove? That's a quick $100-150. Lessons? I spent thousand's over the years.

If I had a daughter, we would shop together. Only difference is I could borrow her bags; where I just leave the baseball equipment alone, lol.

[wantingmore]

Well said PurpleRose. I agree 100%. To answer the OP's question, my first thought is spoiled- how can a 16-17 yr old afford a $2k purse? Impossible w/o someone chipping in big time. This being said, who wouldn't want thousand dollar bags thrown at them? I have to work for my stuff...

OT: lvuittonaddict, is that Tae Yang in your sig?

[chillyne]

Originally Posted by jealousguy86

What is your immediate reaction when you see a young girl/teenager (maybe around 16-18 y/o) with an expensive (and real) designer bag?

I wouldn't mind, or perhaps i'll be jealous!!
"ohh.. look at that girl, she might be a rich kid!" lolz!! spoiled i guess..
and sometimes you have to think like "is that real?!"
well, it's none of my business if they carry this super expensive bags.
in short, they can afford!! juz my two cents!!

[Louiebabeee]

Originally Posted by Ilin

My first thought is that they are spoiled. When I were small I never got more than about a 100€ worth in Christmas and Birthday presents, my family could never afford to take a trip to a foreign country and I got about 16€ from my parents per month as pocket money. Most people I know/knew had a situation like this. So I don't understand how those girls would be able to spend at least 1000-2000 (or more) on a bag. For me, it would have taken several years. Maybe if they work, but it's very hard to get a job if you're under 18. Lots of people in this thread have said that they have gotten is as a "reward" for getting good grades in school. Getting good grades is a kind of work, I agree, but it is for YOU, not for your parents. You will get the reward for your studies in the FUTURE, in the form of a good JOB. If your parents buy you something like that as a "reward" for getting good grades or not eating any candy in a year, then you are spoiled. Being spoiled isn't a bad thing, though. So don't get upset. I think everyone should be spoiled.

lol I guess most people dont think of it that way, I think when most people tell someone they are spoiled they mean it as an insult, like spoiled brat....but I like the way you said it, that if a parent buys their teen an expensive bag then they are spoiled ..but its not a bad thing and it doesnt mean they are a brat, or unappreciative of what they have.

[chillyne]

Originally Posted by Ilin

Being spoiled isn't a bad thing, though. So don't get upset. I think everyone should be spoiled.

im a self proclaimed spoiled, and soemtimes i feel bad because im such a bag addict wanting for more and I couldn't help it.

I just love bags!!

[L-U-V-Purses]

I normally don't post in this section, but reading this thread I just had to.

First of all, I don't think it's bad at all for girls to get bags for good grades. I do. It makes getting through a quarter/semester/year easy knowing that my work pays off now for a bag and in a long run for other school opportunities. I don't think that teens with designer bags are necessarily spoiled. If you know them and they are that's one thing, but if it's a girl on the street walking with her parents, she might not be. Maybe she's not even as young as you think they are, I know that I'm always mistaken for being older. They might even be carrying their mother's bag. Honestly, I don't care. I actually like looking at purses to test my knowledge of what they are since expanding my horizons on this forum. I find it fun.

Second, I think it's wrong that some of you ladies are saying it's sad when girls work during the summer for a bag. Chances are the bag isn't the only reason they're working. Maybe their parents want them to work. Or maybe they work because colleges want more from students then just good grades. They want people who can bring something to the table. Colleges are super hard on students nowadays, I don't have to worry about colleges for a few years, yet I'm already doing things that make me look applicable for a good college admission. The bag is just a nice reward.

The person who said that getting a cell phone at 15 is appropriate, I disagree. It's not different then my having purses. Yes, I have an iPhone, do I need it, probably not. But I bought it with my own money because I love technology and I like a challenge, seeing as that's one of the fields I'm considering for when I grow up. I know that's OT but I'm just saying that some people here are judging on things other than purses, but in the long haul they're no different. I love my purses. And for the ladies here who say that I won't appreciate and love them because I didn't but it/them are completely wrong. I work hard, seeing as my school is tougher then most and it won't get any easier any time soon, and my bags are one of my interests. I'm different then a lot of girls in that way, they spend their/their parents money on clothes and shoes, but I like bags. And good for them, investing in things they like. It's no different for teens who buy bags, especially for girls who deserves them. I mean, I get good grades, I volunteer my time, I'm in yearbook, and take drama, and I'm starting to work once a week. That's only some of the examples that some teens do so don't say that "every teen" who has a designer bag is spoiled and undeserving because it's not always true. And unless you know them, you can't judge.

Honestly, I think having a designer purse at a young age isn't a bad thing. You learn to love them and appreciate them and not go through them in a week and be done. Less is more. You learn the value of money and learn to treat things with respect (well most people).

[orinoco]

Originally Posted by canada's

designers goods are not exclusively mutual with good taste. I have seen plenty of 3k+ bags that would fit in at target. I'm fine with teens having designer bags (or jeans, etc.), but i do not think it should be the focus. Hearing girls on the board (yes, this one) saving all summer at a lame summer job to buy a lv breaks my heart. You're young! Have fun, get into a little trouble, spend your money on movies, hanging out with friends and grabbing cute stuff at forever 21. To think they're missing out on random fun things as teens for a bag isn't fun to hear. And many here say, "it's an investment!" blah blah blah. Not really true, but whatever. There's plenty of time to acquire the finer things in life.

werd~! :d

[bisousx]

^^^ haha, I remember working an entire summer at Marshall's to buy this Coach bag when I was 16. I wish I could take that summer back, actually. I don't own anything Coach anymore, so I have nothing to show for my hard work! On the other hand, having a job kept me out of trouble and so I think it could go either way