Ever been called an asshole while walking out of Neiman’s? Been pushed or shoved for just carrying a Bergdorf bag? A Barneys bag? Ever even carry a Barneys bag?
If you’re a purveyor of fine luxury goods, turns out there’s a good reason people hate you—because you hate them! Or at least that’s the perception. And a new study shows there’s a whole lot of truth behind it. Researchers at Paris Descartes University and the University of Southern Brittany have recently discovered that luxury shops tend to make those who frequent them a lot less friendlier than those who don’t.
The study took a group of female undergraduates and had them stand in front of both regular and luxury retailers in various stages of distress. For example, like dropping their belongings and fake struggling to pick them up on crutches (Yes, seriously.). According to the results, 77.5% of those shopping at ordinary stores were willing to help the young ladies out while only 35% of those shopping at luxury retailers were willing to lend a hand.
So what gives? Well, the researchers don’t necessarily have a factual answer just yet, but they do theorize that materialism and overly-visible consumption make people less sympathetic towards others. Not really that surprising, we know, but perhaps it does provide luxury shoppers the little bit of guilt they need to be shamed into being a tad bit nicer next time around, and those who aren’t a little sliver of satisfaction. And another reason to hate on the rich.
