Well to be fair, Swiss army knives and Zippo aren't expensive, and were hold by "real men" at some times (army guys), but since it's widely bought by anyone for any reasons, it became more some "to have" objects to cast "an attitude" when used (i'm a real cowboy or a real Mac Gyver or else...).

I like very much the story on original HD bikers (the soldiers back from WW2 with ptsd, riding from coast to coast on army HD to chase their demons etc).
But nowadays it's more about readymade "rebels" with brand-news cracked jeans, or guys in the 40's "crisis" or whatever fantasm about still being young and reckless, or straight up cunts traveling together while pushing sideways the other road users, usually corrupt cunts (in S.E Asia).
So, fake bikers, even on real HD.

The real things aren't much more than what they are now, compared to what they used to represent.

Apple used to mean something at some point. I can't feel bothered that they are faked since they don't mean much now.

Fake brands, fake "private limited sales", fake posture, fake people, fake expectations in general.

I still mostly agree, Ghost.
But there is such a thing as functional excellence which cannot be faked - and, i suggest, some people value that level of quality for its superior ability to perform its task. Or its longevity, etc.

Once again i hold up the Swiss Army knife as an example.
Sure, some people like flashing their Swiss Army dicks but most people probably buy a Victornox because it is simply the best of its kind for what they need.

But yeah, the brand /fashion/dick-flashing syndrome is pathetic.
and ps, these are probably the people who most love the opportunity to buy a cheap passable fake. They don't care a flying flock about the quality.

So, there is another side of the coin - sometimes/occasionally it is the people who are insisting on the genuine brand that are the authentic ones.

SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:39 am the people who are insisting on the genuine brand that are the authentic ones.

Yeah, like Neil Armstrong, moon landing and the insisting genuine punch on the denier's face, i can get that.

I have something like that, a lighter worth a month's salary, with a specific noise when closed (as for Zippos).

I still use it, very classy item, but nobody thinks i'm farting over my ass* with it, because my usual clothing doen't match the alledged wealth of the average user.

* it means pretending to be more than i am.

Michel Houellebecq, in some books, write extensive paragraphs about some particular products close to perfection, to his taste.

He's got a real talented pleadings for some brand's products, confining to adoration, explaining why. The brands were pneased although very surprised. But the writer is a good one when he describes his love for the industry.

Ghostwriter wrote: ↑Tue Nov 23, 2021 2:08 pm

SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:39 am the people who are insisting on the genuine brand that are the authentic ones.

i'm farting over my ass*
* it means pretending to be more than i am.

excellence
Farting over my ass - on steroids