Rocking in the Free World

When I was much younger, I was told of how North India is culturally different from where I was born and raised. I paid little heed to these words, simply because it was of no consequence to me. I had spent a third of my life in South India and it made little sense for me to deeply analyze something that I felt had no direct impact on my way of life.

Not anymore.

Having gotten around Gurgaon and Delhi has given me a sense of how strong the concept of conspicuous consumption is among the residents of this part of the country. Its not just the noveau riche that are guilty of ostentatious behaviour, it is also those that have been rolling in wealth for many years that seem to want to pwn the new kids on the block.

Neither party is to blame, for a show of wealth is in general considered a positive trait in most circles and with each new batch of billionaires (Rupee, not Zimbabwean Dollar) adding to this spiral, the number of grand weddings, ceremonies and flashy automobiles purchased is only going to increase with time.

In the midst of all this, how would a minimalist with a mere bicycle (albeit a good 21 speed bike) and a strong disinclination to own personal transport or have fixed assets tying him down cope? Not too great, but not too badly either, I admit.

An interesting article by Stephanie Rosenbloom in the New York Times speaks of how a couple began to divest themselves of all possessions until such time that they had few assets with them, leading to an overall increase in happiness.

Money is definitely the means to an end, but it seems as though there’s an increasing trend among people to spend money on experiences rather than on anything tangible.

Taking vacations, spending on important people rather than on important things, indulging oneself in a good meal or a short, spontaneous trip seem to make more sense and provide pleasure in greater magnitudes than mere purchases, for the value of the latter decreases with time while the former still stays fresh in one’s mind.

What is somewhat eerie is that I personally feel that I am already in that zone of shunning heavy purchases and instead opting for experiences. As times change, this sort of behaviour is widely being acknowledged as the ‘new’ normal.

Maybe there is more sense in chasing windmills than in chasing money.