I came across an article in Digital Life a few weeks backs that caught my attention. According to the author, the factor that affects a women’s decision the most is the looks of the product, followed by the function and lastly the budget, which is also the main reason why women tend to overspend most of the time. Men on the other hand think the completely opposite of women. To them, looks are not worth much if the product’s features, performance and value-for-money are not desirable enough. Although the main highlight of the article had been about the different importance in considerations women and men before they purchase a product, it fundamentally brings back the age-long discussion of men versus women.
As much as most women would love to disagree with the article as to why they overspend, myself included, it is likely most of us are also unable to refute it. Just how many times have you overspend on items you need just because it looks cute and good even if there is a similar product that is a lot cheaper but not as attractive in its packaging? Sometimes, we even buy things we do not need on the impulse, most often clothes, just because someone might have commented that the top you tried out looks good on you. And this can be attributed to selection because of gender influence.
Women love looking good and this is also what influenced them to choose and look at things selectively. Because they want to look good, everything that accompanies them, be it gadgets, clothes or accessories must look good too. Similarly with the men, they buy things that they need and features and value are always at the top of their list because the looks of the product matter little to them. It can be bulky and boring in appearance but as long as it functions the way they need them to, they will purchase it.
However, just how true men and women are to themselves when making such decisions? Can the difference in hormones between the two genders really influence their thoughts and thinking that much? Or is this just a result of cognitive schemata at work?
Women have always been portrayed as beauty seeking, wishing to look their best at any caught moment, while guys have always been viewed as being rational and practical; caring little about aesthetics. But is the difference between the two really biological differences, or is it in fact biological “hard-wiring”. Are men and women reacting and choosing things the way they do now because they really feel that day or could it really be just an unconscious conformity to the norm that had been laid out centuries ago. Because they do not want to look weird and different from others of their gender, they end up reacting the same way and even if they do not feel the same way at first, over time, it becomes something like a habit that they do not even realize it any longer.
Personally, I feel it is really more biological “hard-wiring” then anything else. If it really is hormones at work, what is the explanation for the increasing individuals in society (metrosexuals, homosexuals, goths, etc.) who have acted differently from what is expected of them? Is there some ‘mutation’ that formed in their genes, or are they just brave individuals that have decided to stepped out because of who they believe they are. I choose to believe in the latter because I believe strongly that it is human nature to want to fit in with the majority. No one really wants to be an outcast. Just look at how people can easily be influenced by their friends to do certain things just to blend in with their clique even if they know it’s harmful (smoking, tattoos, etc.). If people would do that just to fit in with their friends, what more will they do to fit in with society.
So what do you really think is the real influence behind the differences between men and women? Is it really just gender differences that you are both with, or do people just want to look normal and fit in? Discuss!
(Credits: The Straits Time, Digital Life, 29/04/09)
As a girl, I have to say that girls are indeed more superficial creatures compared to the guys. Appearances(packaging) matter more us to compared to the features and usability and often, we find ourselves buying stuff which is of no use to us. I have many experiences with this and I have to say that I do regret it sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI am not very sure what makes us girls like this. Maybe God made us like that or maybe it's just the upbringing and environment influences which made us like that. The real reason? I guess no one really knows.
Well, I guess we can actually change this "bad habit" of ours by looking at things at a greater depth. I am sure we can change with our will. Well, if this works, it saves our pockets as well, doesn't it?
Being a girl, I would very much like to beg to differ with the article rather than to admit that we really do overspend.
ReplyDeleteBut then, comparing between the two genders, girls really tend to splurge on stuff which is more to the "look" than the usefulness of it. In another point of view, which girl doesn't want to look good at all times? Be it either you going to work or you are just heading for some shopping trips. Girls have plenty of areas to spend in. From the hair to the make-up and skincare products to the clothes and to the shoes etc. And not to mention those additional accessories to go along with. And usually, most of them are often bought as an act of impluse.
Guys (minus away the minority) might be more rational and would be able to control their spending and would only be buying stuff that they really need.
Hence, I can't help but to agree that girls do overspend at some areas.
I certainly agree that women are spending more than what is needed. It is the feel good factor, they convince themselves by saying they need to pamper themselves to get rid of the stress and hectic work. Retail therapy is what they name it. haha.
ReplyDeleteMany girls think that these extravagant stuffs helps to increase they value, change how ppl judge them. The truth is how many guys actually knows if you are spraying a chanel no. 5 or a scent from watsons? haha. and whether your heels are from gucci or bugis street. As long as you are confident inside out, i think that is what really makes one attractive.
Am i talking sense? lol.
Sylvia
Its not just women. more and more men are starting to to overspend. its not just the minority anymore. its slowly becoming the majority. and the worst part is that guys don't really know how to bargain. so they over-overspend. i think its more of a growing culture to overspend more than a phenomenon purely related to gender.
ReplyDeleteI would assume the differences in man and woman lies in the way they see love too. Men tend to procrastinate when they find a loved one and is always on the look out for more. Women once they find their love, locks in on one. Shoes and bags for women however is an exception. 1 is never enough.
ReplyDeleteI would like to refer to the article written about females and shopping. I would like to state a simple and hard fact that the reason to why females like to spurlge on luxury brands or retail is the result of their status quo; they will never be satisfied to what they possess.
ReplyDeleteBecause of a deep insecurity issue within them, SOME, not all women squander almost all their wages on these expensive shoes and bags. Brands like Jimmy Choo, the most expensive shoe maker in the world manufactures shoes up to 9,000 pounds per pair, and they just get swept off the shelves the day they're put up for sale. However these are all only material. As material, they can never fill the hollowness that some females feel.
How come it is that some can live without even a single branded item but others would scrimp and save for months just to get a 30,000 USD Hermes crocodile skin handbag?
Though i agree that such luxury items can, and may boost up first impressions, going to the extent of getting too many of it would only be contradictory, as people might see you as a lofty or dignified person.
What they need to do is to justify their insecurity within themselves, and even the cheapest clothes that look simple and plain will make them the most beautiful person on earth.
As beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, views may come from different perspectives, feel free to leave yours.
with regards to the article of female and shopping. I agree that women do overspent and splurge on items which are not neccessary. Women spend to 'create' that image they want, and were able to spend hundreds over dollar from the hair to their toes. And most of the time, women spend without thinking whether its a need or a must but men will only spend on items where they think its a need to buy.
ReplyDelete(Women spend to fulfilled their needs as in the areas where most will said to relieve stress, to pamper one self, to reward one self, etc.)
hence, i agree to women overspend.
With reference to this article, I agreed to a certain extend. I feel that now a days both genders overspent. It is just a matter of products they spend on.
ReplyDeleteFor men, being more gadget and tech savvy, thus they will be more practical and realistic in their purchases.
Whereas for the women, they are more impulsive when buying products that they find it attractive especially gadgets as they want to look good together with the gadgets. After all it all depends on the products they are buying as both genders have different needs and wants.
In conclusion, there is not much difference in regards to comparisons of gender's spending. If fact it should be more of the types of products that they would spend on.
interesting article. =)
ReplyDeleteI do agree that woman tend to overspend on stuff and most of the time, it will be impulse buying. However, I believe that there is no gender difference when we are referring to spending power. In my opinion, men do spend on things that they think it’s worth buying, which differ to how women think. For instance, men are willing to spend a few hundred on computer parts which women perceive it as a waste of money. On the other hand, men would think that women are dumb to scrimp for the latest model of handbags from Gucci or LV etc. Hence, I must say that be it a man or woman, they have their own point of view in which things that is worth buying or not. I guess there is no explanation for such behavior cause this is human nature. Wouldn’t it be weird if both gender behave and think the same way?
ReplyDeletePlus, I realized that it is not just women that are brand conscious. Guys out there, try asking yourself if you prefer buying a giordano polo tee or from polo raulf lauren? Wallets from the wallet shop or a Gucci or LV wallet? The point is, humans on the whole are very self conscious about how people look at them, hence if it is within their capabilities, they would want to look good and boost up their image and the first impression that they will be giving to others, by having branded stuff on them. So, not only women go for branded stuff, I believe that guys are even worse in this case because girls are still willing to go for stuffs that are pretty yet cheap, like those apparels from bugis street. That is why I find that those shop selling guys stuff in bugis street is not doing very well as compared to those selling girls stuff.
Just my two cents worth of comment (: