Are you the kind of person who”s difficult to be pleased? Do you have the kind of eyes that works like a detailed MRI scanning or a 4D Ultrasound to detect the culture and traits of a person?
Hold your horses… this can be a test to assess yourselves as well, if you are indeed a legitimate elitist person.
1. Where do you stay? Simply put, where do you live or your area of residence?
Living in the capital city of Manila is no guarantee that you are a moneyed person unless you are a Chinese businessman having business in Binondo area. Residential houses in Manila are VERY RARE that people are contented in renting middle class apartments only. The real elite people of Manila are usually having properties at the same time in the South or in Quezon City not to mention the posh villages of Makati and Ortigas-Mandaluyong-Pasig districts.
Condominium living is also in question. Where is it located? What are its amenities? How big is the unit? Do you live like a sardine inside a concrete box?
2. Is Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda still special for you?
Think instead of the cheapest BMW car or Ford. A Mercedes Benz is still a head turner depending on the model and year it was released. Heard about Bentley or Hummer? Driving them is a different feeling rather than riding with friends only. Spostcars in the Philippines are usually offered at their cheapest models, not to mention that the city streets and roads of Manila is very unideal for fast cars. With the kind of income the above average Filipino has, owning a brand new one is almost next to impossible unless you are a political elite or a business magnate. Even the local moviestars are experiencing their dying film industry.
3. Where did you graduate?
Entering a top university in the Philippines is becoming more prohibitive with the kind of tuition fees they are posting. Money isn't the only requirement to enter, you must have the desirable grades for you to get in. University rankings are of course subjective, depending on the reputation of who”s creating these league tables. In the Philippines, being an educated elite requires you to attend the internationally recognized and accredited universities only! Accreditation that is awarded and recognized worldwide, rankings by international magazines and accrediting bodies and is welcomed by the famed Ivy League universities in the US and the Oxbridge fame from the UK. Constantly making it to the finals are the usual schools of Ateneo, De La Salle, UP and UST. The famous universities in the countryside are also recognized but not as “specially treated” as the ones we have in Manila or Quezon city. What about the rest of the exclusive schools? Sorry to say that when it comes to international standing, academic researches, number of Faculty with PhDs from abroad, hundreds of thousands of volumes of acquisitions in the library and publications are important BIG factors that edges the rest OUT. You studied abroad? WOW! That would mean roughly minimum of 1.5 million pesos of tuition per year for an ordinary course.
4. Do you own an Energie, Katharine Hamnett, Paul Smith, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, Marc Jacobs, etc. etc. apparel?
If not… continue working hard to own one. I am an Armani collector but believe me I don”t like or own an Armani Exchange. Why? It”s the cheapest Armani. LOLs. I only go for Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans and up. And when I say I”ll wear Armani, this would mean from my head down to my feet. All Armani. Not just an Armani underwear. My Armani starts from my eyewear.
5. Where Do You Usually Hang-out?
This is tricky. People move from one place to another. Filthy rich people can be anywhere they wish to. They can mingle with the yuppies, the working class, the masses. They can be homebody at times or travel once in a while. Splurging money is a usual habit but due to the global crisis this is put to a halt temporarily, that is… if they are educated in the science of economics.
So what if you frequent Glorietta? You are there to hunt? To dine Or to shop? You've been spotted at Rockwell but how often? The Fort is a hip place but I still see people “judging from their outfits” still enjoying it.
In other words, FREQUENCY to a “particular hip place” is one criterion to be identified as a “regular BIG spender”. Be mindful as well that in these places you would also see “social climbers” wearing their “ukay-ukay” outfits. People born with a “golden spoon” and not silver knows how to detect the naturally born “ilustrado”. SO… do not push yourselves too hard to catch a big fish if you are just a plain individual. You might not like to hear or feel the discreet “insults” of the moneyed people. Do you still hold your bottle of beer standing inside a club for five hours???
Compare these words…
“I was in Paris last week But I still prefer London than Copenhagen…”
“My father is in Riyadh and plans to go home next month and will bring me a new Plasma screen as well as a new portable Play Station”.
Im tired of Boracay, I”d rather go to Ibiza or Casablanca AGAIN!
I”m just here for a vacation but I need to return this weekend to consult my Tutor and assist me with my college matriculations.
My Louis Vuitton luggages are insured…
If some of these words still shock you, THEN… you know where you stand.
6. Watch Your Language.
I always appreciate honest people conversing in their own native tongue. BUT PLEASE… DO NOT PUNISH YOURSELVES TALKING IN A LANGUAGE YOU ARE NOT FLUENT! Do you talk trash? Be mindful also of the overnight English speakers, people who memorize movie or poetry lines just to impress you. Pick-up lines that is so yuckie rather that yuppie. I have nothing against people working in contact centers but some of them can really make me smile wondering how were they able to get in.
7. Do You Love To Travel?
If your answer is YES, Congratulations! BUT!!! Whereto? Whereat? Wherefrom?
Locally… if you are so proud you've been to Puerto Galera or Pagsanjan or Daranak Falls, these places are common cheap places for cruising. Boracay? This ain't good at present as from years back but still lovable and a big dream for most. Been to Amanpulo, Palawan? Now… now… you must be rich.
Hongkong, Singapore, Bangkok? Mind you, these are our neighbors that can be easily reached at lower air fares that is a lot cheaper than reaching and spending at El Nido.
THEREFORE… the cost of airfare is measured here. The longer the haul the more trendsetter you are reputed to be.
8. Cash or Credit?
Having a VISA or a MASTERCARD is just ordinary nowadays. You have a classic silver card? Then, you are an ordinary professional. You got a Gold card? Good Job! BUT!!! Make sure this is not an extension from your friends or relatives. American Express? The green classic is still eye-popping but the ELITE cardholders possesses the BLACK AMEX which HAS NO CREDIT LIMIT!
Cash? Have a minimum of at least 10,000 PHP on your wallet DAILY!
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