the BOX of nice things

Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 4:19 PM

needs VS wants..

(image from: http://www.upit.co.za/philosophy.html)

A familiar pyramid? This is Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

The theory is that: only when the basic needs, those at the bottom of the pyramid, are met, we try to meet other needs higher up the pyramid.

Nowadays, many people do not problems meeting basic needs like food and shelter. Many of us even take them for granted. The distinction between needs and wants also diminishes and we often considered our wants as needs.

(image from: http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/compare-prices/patent-lace-up-court-shoe)

"I need to get this pair of shoes, it's pink and there's ribbon!"

(image from: http://www.jmarket.com/Featured-in-magazines-Bicolor-Mini-Dress.html)

"This dress is a must have, it's feature in the magazine!"

(image from: http://bagwhiz.com/category/luxury-handbag-reviews/betsey-johnson-bags/page/3/)

"This bag is so cute, I must buy it!"

Don't the above captions sound familiar? They are some common quotes I have heard before during my shopping trips (some are excuses I gave at times too!).

No doubt that shoes, clothes and bags are basic needs, but we don't stop buying after we have them. I have like at least 10 pairs of shoes that I barely wear, some are even brand new, and I will still buy new shoes (giving all sorts of excuses like this is pink and I need a pink heels to match my new dress, etc). BUT, if I really needed that pair of shoes, I don't need to find any excuses as (REAL) needs hardly need justification to be purchased.

Everyone loves beautiful things and sometimes, we think that we need to have them. However, when we actually spend the time and give second thoughts to analyse the need for the item, there are actually more reasons not to buy them.

The line between NEED and WANT is for us to define!

(image from: http://notes.chanv.net/want-vs-need)

Labels: DCX 133 Teaching of Consumer Education