Commodity Fetishism

Got a little tip from some comments offered via a young lady's blog. For lady clubbers you could have experienced some form of molestation in the past like some guy grinding himself against you on the dance floor or a quick slap on the butt as you walk past a certain crowd.

Here's the tip - When you walk, place one palm across the front of your chest and the other across your butt. The logic is if any closet perv tries something funny your hand will be the first thing he comes into contact with. Prevents the actual molestation in addition you get to identify the potential molester following which your friends can proceed to wallop the shit out of that bastard - with the bouncers' help of course.

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Yes once again it's the festive season of the year - for the major shoppers anyway. Christmas. Brings to mind fine dining, christmas shopping, parties and getaways. Sounds good?

Exactly the traps of Commodity Fetishism.

Commodity fetishism is a false impression of society said to arise in complex capitalist market systems. Layman terms - When you are living in a pretty advance free market country, you tend to use materials to 'measure' what makes the society.

Example - In Singapore, your worth tends to be measured in terms of the car you drive, the house you live in, the places you go for holidays, the food you eat and even the kind of company you work in. All these indicators are used for a specific measure, the measure of your spending power. The more spending power you possess the greater your influence and level of comforts.

Fine Dining [expense], Shopping [Expense], Parties [Expense], Getaways [Expense]. Do you see the link?

Now as a further clarification I do not object to people spending a little more on fine dining, but fine dining does not specifically mean posh restaurants and hotel dinings decked out in your latest Hugo Boss suits or Versace evening gown. Fine dining can simply mean settling down in a cosy place with the food that makes you comfortable and appetising. If you enter a posh restaurant but you're not sure how to enjoy the food, would that not be worth the experience? Of course, if your dinner partner is familiar with the dining venue or the staff perhaps some awkardness can be avoided. I dare to advocate that a dinner at some simple cafe would be just as nice provided that you and your dinner partner can be seated comfortably, dinner is served promptly with friendly staff and of course, constant interaction of conversation.

Shopping, parties, getaways.. why does the word advertisements come to mind? Promotions, discounts, clearance sales, warehouse sales, christmas special offers, exhibitions and so many more.

Now a little more explanation on Commodity Fetishism - In most subsequent Marxist thoughts, commodity fetishism is defined as an illusion arising from the central role that private property plays in capitalism's social processes. It is a central component of the dominant ideology in capitalist societies.

Layman's terms - The bigger your house, the more respect people tend to give. Are some of your people nodding your heads or smiling in a subconcious agreement? Of course some others would offer me the alternative of protests like "No! I would judge the person based on their character."

Hello, I'm talking about ideologies here. I-D-E-A-S. What is the first idea that forms in your mind when you look at the person's residential property? "Wow, damn this guy/gal must be pretty well-off." The Singapore Society has always been a paper chase for meritocracy, not surprised that materialism is often linked together.

Another main point I'm advocating here is the emphasis on the purpose of spending rather than the quality of spending. Advertisements scream the notion of "value for money!" into your face but they often fail to substantiate one simple notion - What is the purpose of you spending this amount of money?

Do you buy new clothes simply because they are on sale? That you would like to be decked out in new clothes to celebrate Christmas? That you have just received your year-end bonus and you would like to pamper yourself a little bit more? How about looking around you and wondering if any of your friends need that extra smile or helping hand? Before anyone starts groaning "Not another charity supporter" I must emphasise this point - I'm not asking you to donate to charity. I'm asking you to take a GOOD LOOK around yourself and see if any friends are feeling just a tad lonely for christmas and invite them for dinner or even just a simple coffee session. I'm asking you guys to promote the Good Cheer and friendship. Start with your family members and friends before you start giving all that necessary warmth to some stranger who might even have to fake a smile so that it would seem 'gracious' for your help offered. Offer your goodwill to the people around you first, at least I'm sure you people would have a better of what gifts or aid can mean much more to the people that you know rather than to some complete stranger who might not appreciate what you have done.

I'm almost sounding like a potential scrooge. So be it, if it makes the people around me happier.