So I have a fetish for knock off bags and the like. I will thoroughly inspect the good inside and out, and I am very picky about what I buy. Thing is, I have decided, and am convinced, that street vendors and other people selling knock offs are just outlet stores for these hoity toity designers.
But that isn't my dilemma.
I own some authentic goods, and I own some knock off goods. I'm about 99% sure that no one would know which was which without me blurting it out (which I do every time- I am very proud of my bargains.), but at the same time- what is worse? Paying sick amounts of money to carry the real thing, or pretending that what you are carrying is the real thing?
As I get older, I search for authenticity in a lot of places. In people, in their actions, in my faith- but mostly in myself. I am not a fan of the person that pretends to be one kind of person, but deep down they are a completely different soul. I like genuine people. I admire them. If you are a rude and miserable person, just throw it out there. I would rather deal with a jerk than deal with someone rude yet smiling. I can't handle fake. I wasn't raised like that, and my face doesn't react well to fake responses. I will completely look at you like you are insane. My apologies- it's like a reflex.
How do you handle people that are unauthentic? You can't pack them up and send them back to China like you can bags. I try to be a nice person, and although I am sporting a crinkled brow, I don't think I offend the offender. I have heard "kill them with kindness" but that doesn't satisfy me. I want to shake them and insist that they be real to me and to others. So to ask again, how do you respond to this?
Hopefully I will wake up to a genius response after a bad nights sleep of having nightmares filled with toddlers and airports.
And, by the way, this comes from no place in particular other than the fact that I just ordered a fake bag, and I have to say- it's darn nifty.
ciao
What an interesting dilemma. What a great way to compare it to people. I think it is ok to love the name brand or the knock off, as long as you are not getting "your worth" from that item. The label should not define you, because I feel your label as a "jesus girl" should be where you get your worth.
ReplyDeleteI so agree I do not like "fake"! Perfect is not relateable because no one is actually perfect. We all relate to one anothers faults and quirks because those we all have.
Great post today!
Pray for them and by all means, give 'em a bag to match their personality. Couldn't hurt :).
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked in DC, I bought a LV that I swear fell off the truck. Except for the handles, everything seemed spot on. It's the Papillon (tube looking bag), which seemed like a good choice 8 years ago. ;)
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, I agree with you - it pains me to see people feel like they have to be be someone else in order to be liked, or to be liked by the "right" people. What's the point? I don't want to get to the end of life and wonder who I actually am/was. As long as I'm living true to myself and who I believe God made me to be, I'm good. For me, that means leaving my comfort zone and living in "the country", selling at a farmer's market to several fellow private school grads, etc. Yes, it's humbling... and hard to be fake in the midst of it. But, there's nothing more fulfilling than my little world right now, so I wouldn't trade it for anything. :) Guess we have a shared soapbox. ;)