Money Makes the World Go Round…

Being half way through the semester, I feel as though I’m looking at this culture through the wrong “light.” The only way to successfully achieve a valid cross-cultural encounter is do use the practice of participant observation (a type of research which brings an anthropologist closer to a given culture by interacting in the cultures natural environment). To do this, I’m going to try to “throw” myself into this culture.

I come from a very ritzy city in upstate New York. Saratoga Springs is known for it’s nightlife, downtown area and in the summer, it’s thoroughbred racing. My high school was a melting pot of people. Like every high school, it had its jocks, nerds, drama kids, band geeks and rich kids. In our town though, it seemed as though the rich kids took it to a new level. Girls wear only brand names from their headbands to their socks. They carry only the finest, REAL designer handbags, and drive cars nicer then the teachers.

Facebook, a social networking site is a popular place for today’s teens to interact. Facebook is a place in today’s culture where it’s users “true identities” can be seen. When looking at Jen’s* Facebook, every picture sports brand names: An Abercrombie sweatshirt in one, American Eagle Jeans in another. One picture (seen in this post) has the caption “FINALLY!”

The accomplishment of getting a real designer handbag is one many girls in Saratoga Springs share. In addition to getting a car on their 16th birthday, many girls get a multitude of designer handbags and clothes. As they say, money makes the world go around.

*Name has been changed


Image source: http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v347/48/26/1374240570/n1374240570_30256272_1254.jpg