[happy1]

I'm Asian, but I can't speak for my entire 'kind"

I think a lot Asians have a entrepreneur mentality, they tend want to be their own bosses. My husband is in a family business.

Secondly, I think Asian's overseas tend to have more disposable income because they don't invest in housing as it is so expensive so they tend to live at home. For a lot single girls, their pay-check goes to savings and shopping and traveling.

[Kellybag]

Very interesting...and I can competely understand what you wrote.

In the U.S. most young people have that mentality to move out of their parents home ASAP and they end up having a hard time making it. They also feel it is taboo to be living at home too long.

I lived at home very long after college and so many people had something to say about it. But, I had money to spend and money saved. I also wanted to be my own boss and I am.

I totally respect that!

[La Vanguardia]

I'm Asian and I leave overseas. At the moment, me and my husband are renting a flat and saving up to buy a house. I only buy things that I can afford and will not put me to debt. If I can't afford it, I pass.

I prefer to use my money also to buy nice things I like than spend hundreds at a bar. I like to eat in nice restaurants with a good wine or drink, but I don't blow my money on alcohol and going out to bars every night.

Once in a while also, my parents give me nice presents ... and I have nothing against that LOL

[Kellybag]

La Van...you sound like me. It is funny when you read these posts you wonder what people are really like and how they live their lives and choices they make.

You seem quite intelligent and a wise woman.

Nice presents are always wonderful.

[Kellybag]

My little and slim Asian friends...in other posts I disclosed my height and weight and thanks to all of you I feel like a porker!!!

I always thought I was petite (shorter) and a good weight for my height...you all make me feel TOO HEALTHY!!!

I feel I need a new Birkin just to make myself feel better and I am usually not like that...material things only make you feel temporarily better. Well, in this case it is a Birkin...completely different.

[La Vanguardia]

Originally Posted by Kellybag

My little and slim Asian friends...in other posts I disclosed my height and weight and thanks to all of you I feel like a porker!!!

I always thought I was petite (shorter) and a good weight for my height...you all make me feel TOO HEALTHY!!!

I feel I need a new Birkin just to make myself feel better and I am usually not like that...material things only make you feel temporarily better. Well, in this case it is a Birkin...completely different.

We just have a different body built

By the way, I was in Japan this January and I felt so fat there. My gosh, here in Switzerland, I always have to get the XS or S. In Tokyo, I was a medium or even sometimes large!

[clanalois]

Originally Posted by La Vanguardia

We just have a different body built

By the way, I was in Japan this January and I felt so fat there. My gosh, here in Switzerland, I always have to get the XS or S. In Tokyo, I was a medium or even sometimes large!

LOL, I'm sure I'd be a large in Asia! :)

<-- size 6 gal and it

Show'em what you got and give'em something to talk about! :)

[Kellybag]

I better never need to buy clothes in Tokyo....I may need to have lipo before I shop.

Thank goodness for handbags

Clanalois...I remember you...you are the sweetie with the hot measurements...weren't they 36-26-36...give us all a break!!!

[IFFAH]

It's true that Asians have the enrepeneur mentality. Asian countries have definitely progress a lot with the number of millionaires increasing. Asians have also become smarter in investing their money in stocks, options or hedge funds. Many Asians no longer believe in working hard for money. It's time money works for us. Cost of houses in Asia are more expensive than in certain western countries. Here in Singapore, an apartment cost much more than a landed property in Australia. However, that's not the reason why young Asians don't want to buy their own houses yet. Actually, Asians have a very close bond with their families. Many only move out when they get married but some do live on their own. Asians also emphasise a lot on their cultural beliefs and moral values. Asians have become more open-minded. We are like Westerners ladies. We love to party, dance, shop, watch movies and especially, talk about handbags!!!! It's also not true that Asians are smaller in size than westerners. I've so many western friends and they seem to be the same size just like the Asians.

[IFFAH]

Originally Posted by Kellybag

I am not Asian, so that is one down.

But, since I am in the Asian thread I do want to ask a question and I want to preface it with the following...Please no one take any offense if I word something that would in any way offend you.

I was wondering...Asian women spend a lot of money on quality leather goods such as Hermes, but also quality jewelry, clothes, automobiles, fine dining and travel etc. If you don't mind me asking...what do you all do for a living to have such a disposable income?

When I think of Americans there is really only a small percentage of people that truly have wealth. Although the number has risen in the last decade many Americans really are not wealthy to afford the luxuries they have. They either overextend themselves and truly can't afford what they have or they save and save and buy something after they have the savings.

I just wonder if it is the same with the Asian population or if there is so much more wealth and that Asians just have better jobs/income.

What do we Asian women do for a living?? Well, not all Asians are rich. Some have normal jobs while some do have successful jobs. Some are born rich and some are entrepeneurs. Then, some are married into rich families and some are savvy investors like me. However, one thing in common that sets us all the same is our love for beautiful and the finer things in life. Those who have money will be able to afford things on impulse while others will save every month till they have enough money to buy the designer stuff.

As far as I know, there are more Americans who are richer than Asians. In terms of the size of wealth, they have many more millions than Asians.

Of course we don't spend all the time. We also believe in saving up for the future.

Actually, there's nothing much difference between the lifestyle of Asians and Americans. Asians have become more open minded and brave enough to speak out. With the improving economy, Asians here want better in fact more higher quality of goods.

I think the reason why you have that doubt is because many of the Asian ladies here is able to afford a birkin and etc. And you wonder how they can afford such luxuries. In my opinion, I think most of the Asian ladies here are rich.

[wellow]

Well.. here's the thing... You compare wealthy Americans to Asians who are living a varied number of countries.. The word Asian itself is so diverse.. There's bound to be a number of wealthy Asians in a every Asian country so the amount combined is pretty "large"... And the pictures also come from a number of countries.. including mine.. Indonesia :)

[augustinec]

I am Asian and in fact, Chanel receive almost half of their revenues from Japan, and LV topping 70% from Asia(which includes the Middle East). In Hong Kong, appartments are so expensive and family bonds are so strong that people tend to live at home, until they get married. I mean, while I was in the states, I looked at some properties (a house!) in the Hamptons, and commented how "cheap" they are, and people looked at me strangely.

In Japan, there is this social phenomena of singles living at home. I took the Japanese cultural studies and in fact, some companies are discriminative against females in the 20's living OUTSIDE, without their parents(ie., no transportation help etc.,) because they check the koseki which listed the family information. So many stayed home and can easily afford spending their WHOLE entire salaries on luxury. Plus, families usually prepare some money to help their weddings, and I personally know some people that bought houses(they are the very rich families in Hong Kong) for their sons and daughters after they've grown up.

But however, in terms of distribution of wealth, America is till the wealthiest.

[Kellybag]

I thank everyone who shared a bit of what they know here in response to my questions and wonders. It is really interesting. I have always felt it interesting to learn about different cultures and talk with as many people as time allows who are from different backgrounds than myself. It makes you wiser as an individual and you can really learn so much.
I am also so happy that all of you have been able to purchase all the Hermes items that you have. You have taught me so much from your ownership of the products. All the research you have done and what you have shared makes me all the wiser.
One day soon I will be able to share my purchase with you...that is, if it ever comes my way and they don't put me on a mile long list.

[IntlSet]

Originally Posted by Kellybag

Very interesting...and I can competely understand what you wrote.

In the U.S. most young people have that mentality to move out of their parents home ASAP and they end up having a hard time making it. They also feel it is taboo to be living at home too long.

18 million Americans between the ages 18 and 34 live with their parents. Just an interesting stat I picked up from my local newspaper today.

[IntlSet]

Originally Posted by Kellybag

I am not Asian, so that is one down.

But, since I am in the Asian thread I do want to ask a question and I want to preface it with the following...Please no one take any offense if I word something that would in any way offend you.

I was wondering...Asian women spend a lot of money on quality leather goods such as Hermes, but also quality jewelry, clothes, automobiles, fine dining and travel etc. If you don't mind me asking...what do you all do for a living to have such a disposable income?

When I think of Americans there is really only a small percentage of people that truly have wealth. Although the number has risen in the last decade many Americans really are not wealthy to afford the luxuries they have. They either overextend themselves and truly can't afford what they have or they save and save and buy something after they have the savings.

A large number of Asian women on *this* forum have significant disposable incomes, just like the Jews on this forum, the Caucasians, and the African-American ladies. A few of the ladies I speak to through AIM or PM of any race are doctors, lawyers or bankers. This is clearly a place where we come to talk about luxury goods, of course a good many of us therefore have the means to purchase them.

I can't speak for other Asian countries, but I do know China well. And trust me, a far smaller percentage of people in China "truly have wealth" as you put it than Americans, and 99% do not have the buying power even lower-class (income-wise) Americans have.