The other day I was at an outlet mall near my home and noticed that it was uncharacteristically busy. In fact, as I was shopping in one of the children's clothing stores that so often gets too much of my money, I noticed a very long line outside. When I asked the cashier what is was for, she told me that it was for the grand opening of the new COACH store. She said that people started lining up at 4:30 that morning to get the 30% off discount, and that the line had not let up since. As I finished getting my little guy some clothes and headed outside to hit a couple more stores before lunch, I began to notice COACH purses everywhere. At least half of the women that I saw shopping that day were dawning their newly acquired bags. I kept seeing the same bags over and over again on a variety of different women off all ages. I must admit that I was a little perplexed. What is the motivation behind such a rush to claim a COACH bag? Is it the quality of such a bag? The style? The name, or the status that name carries? What is so great about having the same purse as so many other people who waited in line for hours to claim one as well? These bags are not cheap, even on sale. But, does it make one feel more sophisticated, more stylish, more able to keep up with their neighbors - knowing that they have a brand name purse? I guess that begs the question - what is in a name? I guess I am still trying to figure that one out.
Names do give a certain flair to things. In the words of Anne of Green Gables, "A rose wouldn't smell as sweet if it were called a thistle or a skunk cabbage."
ReplyDeleteBut I am with you, I don't get the Coach purse thing either! There are some jean brands I am awfully perplexed about. I actually tried a popular brand on to see if they carried some magical powers with their $250 price tag, but no, they were the same as my $35 pair. I'm afraid I am just as lost as you!