People are constantly trying to obtain a status in life through brand name clothing and “better foods.”

I do not know how many times I have heard people bash a discounted item or just anything, even food that is cheap, just because they want to lift themselves up in some type of way.

This smugness is questionable and even tackier than the knock off Converse I have in my closet.

Capitalism has seeped into the pores of personality and it is gross. This disease of judgment typically hits middle class white moms who will get their kids clothes on sale at Old Navy but refuse to shop at Walmart or Aldi because they think it is trashy.

It also greatly affects college students because they are often the ones who deem one brand or food as better than the other, usually because of price or “quality.”

While it is understandable that people have these personal preferences on foods and brands, not everyone’s idea of splurging goes with the same budget or want for the “better quality.”

This sentiment of being on a pedestal based on what you buy is especially annoying around this God-awful time of year when the stores are drowning in pinks and reds.

Not only do people point their nose in the air about their personal preferences, but they also demand nothing but the best for a materialistic and gaudy holiday.

I have seen so many things on social media that say, “Applebee’s is not a date,” or any other chain restaurant or fast food joint.

While it is OK to show how much you love and appreciate someone based on your income, this is not a standard that anyone else needs to follow, and people should just appreciate the fact that they are even being thought of in the first place.

Even though I personally have a significant other, I do not need to dedicate one day of the year to shove my choice of monogamy in everyone’s face because it is annoying.

Instead I will be celebrating “Galentine’s Day” as tribute to my friends since there is not a holiday for that.

Just because your finances are higher than the price of something you deem as low quality, does not mean you are better or above anybody, it just means you are pretentious and your wallet is probably crying internally.

Abbey Whittington is a junior journalism major and can be reached at 581-2812 or anwhittington@eiu.edu.