Social anxiety and status symbols

Human beings are social creatures. Society comprises hierarchies and social structures that allow people to work together effectively and achieve more than they could on their own. It is no secret that our society is obsessed with status symbols. So, do people buy status symbols to feel better about themselves? 

Alain De Botton is a Swiss-born British author and public speaker. In one of his books, he defines social anxiety as “a worry so pernicious as to be capable of ruining extended stretches of our lives, that we are in danger of failing to conform to the ideals of success laid down by our society and that we may, as a result, be stripped of dignity and respect; a worry that we are  currently occupying too modest a rung or are about to fall to a lower one”.  

Various elements can bring about social anxiety. Such factors include a recession, the fear of redundancy, promotions, retirement, conversations with colleagues at the same workplace, newspaper profiles of prominent people, and the greater success of friends. So, status is hard to achieve and is often transient. 

Some fear failure to maintain status, which leads to humiliation and a corroding awareness that they have been unable to convince the world of their value. So, they invest in status symbols to impress others with their assumed importance.

Status symbols can give us a false sense of security. We may feel invincible or have it all together when we drive a fancy car or wear designer clothes. The truth is that these things do not protect. Often, status symbols can spark envy and jealousy among those who do not have them, fostering resentment and bitterness and further dividing our society.

Some people feel that having luxurious items is crucial to show they are successful. Symbols of status are everywhere. They are in the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, our homes, the countries we visit for our holidays, and the schools we attend. Luxury brands like Rolex and Gucci have built their businesses by selling the idea of social status. 

They are even in the food we eat. They are a way for people to communicate their social rank or hierarchy to others. Those who may not afford a Rolex find other ways to use status symbols to create a perception of value that can help them climb the social ladder.

Some adopt minimalism to assert their social superiority. A Spartan lifestyle is not the only minimalist symbol. Those with fewer material possessions have a higher social status in the minimalist community. They assert that they are more in control of their possessions and lives. Material things do not burden them; instead, they focus on experiences and relationships. 

So, while some believe it is crucial to have luxurious items to show that they are successful, others think it is more important to be humble and not draw attention to oneself. Snobbism and reverse snobbism are the two similar manifestations of social anxiety.

Status symbols can spark envy and jealousy among those who do not have them, fostering resentment and bitterness and further dividing our society

The notion that a status symbol confers respect upon its owner rests upon the widespread idea that the acquisition of the most expensive goods must inevitably demand the greatest of all character qualities. However, those who do not subscribe to the economic meritocracy theory believe that true merit is a more elusive, complex quality than anything that can be nearly captured by the possession of luxury goods or the balance in bank accounts. 

Flaunting a status symbol can sometimes get you into trouble or embarrass you. Sports celebrities wearing Rolex watches or driving top-end luxury cars are often targets of muggers seeking to get their hands on expensive luxuries without working hard to afford them. 

I once witnessed an even more embarrassing incident involving a young lawyer who quickly accumulated wealth. While attending a business meeting in a relatively small room, he wore an expensive luxury brand deodorant that did not impress the few people present. One colleague asked another why the meeting organisers had sprayed the room with nasty insecticide. The embarrassment on this lawyer’s face was evident. I am sure he concluded that his latest status symbol was not worth the money he spent on it.

People will keep buying status symbols to communicate their accomplishments and successes to others. While some may view this as materialistic behaviour, there is a lot of psychology behind it. 

The judgement is still out on whether status symbols really help to mitigate our social anxiety.