No do pass yourself.

One time, I was with a friend. We both walked through Ginza ( a high brow shopping area in Tokyo).

While in a high-end store, he picked out a dress and said he could see his woman wearing it and holding the keys to a Benz while she sips wine in a classy lounge. (just like the image below)

I sucked air between my teeth as I scoured the price tag and noticed I simply couldn’t afford shopping there.

“Uwa, what is your fashion style?”

“I’d rather wear jeans and a shirt. Then, have $100 million sitting on in my bank account.

“Plus, I’d use a self-driving car and save myself the hassles of driving. I don’t see myself trying to look rich when I’m broke…”. I continued. “…Or driving an expensive car while living from paycheck to paycheck. Furthermore, I haven’t reached a level of comfort that I’d come shopping here. Maybe you have enough disposable income that you can shop here”.

I was pretty sure that was not the answer he expected because he quickly changed the topic.

To a large extent, we actually live above our means. As a Nigerian, once you earn a certain income or start a particular job, so many expectations are required from you. For example, you have to buy a specific brand of car because you have a job or you have to wear some designer clothes because you are working. Everyone should know you have arrived.

With Covid19, our priorities have changed. Those new shoes in your closet that you cannot wear, expensive clothes that would not fit you because of the extra weight you have gained, car in the garage since you have to work from home.

Back to my friend and I — So, we went to another store, a flagship store. While queuing to pay, I noticed a man wearing a white polo shirt and jeans; his hair was a copper hue, clearly dyed. No one needed to tell that he was a wealthy man.

I looked at my friend while he looked at the man several times. I am sure he remembered our earlier conversation. In front of us was a wealthy man wearing simple clothes, yet shopping in a flagship ( affordable) store. I could swear my friend was cursing me under his breath.

One thought ran through my mind: Money can’t buy class.