My personal definition of luxury is none of those. It's something that lifts me out of my everyday existence and makes me feel on top of the world.
Some of my personal luxuries are:
- Eating out. Hugely extravagant but a lovely occasional treat.
- Extra-delicious food. In particular bread, cake, desserts, chocolate.
- A trip to the theatre. Only rarely given such crazy prices!
- My weekly chat with Jenny in the local coffee shop.
- Books. I love being totally engrossed in a really good book.
- A beautiful piece of furniture that cost a lot but I can enjoy it for years.
- Ditto a beautiful painting.
- Lazing in the garden on a hot, sunny day. Not that frequent in Belfast!
- Holidays, especially in places I've never been to before.
- A long hot shower. Or a long hot bath.
I suppose these could all be summed up under the heading of pampering. It's all very relative though. To someone really hard up, getting a taxi, having a hairdo or buying a new duvet might be the height of luxury, while to someone hugely rich, to get any sense of luxury they'd have to buy a new yacht or a £10,000 watch.
Hello Nick,
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting question with probably as many responses as responders.
There are many items which you list which we would certainly agree are luxuries, books and art being just two. However, there are also things on the list which can be enjoyed for free, books and art being two again, so can they really be classified as luxuries if they cost nothing? Or, does luxury come from owning the items rather than just reading or seeing them?
So many questions...
Jane and Lance: You're right, something that's free isn't a luxury. I don't think it's luxury simply to own an item, I think the crucial factor is how accessible it is relative to your financial status.
DeleteThose are all wonderful things to appreciate and enjoy, whether free or costly.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Thanks! Yes, whether they're free or costly is immaterial.
DeleteAs you say, "can enjoy it for years." (In contrast to my nice seasonal decorations that I have to put away) That is for me a true luxury. I can walk down the sidewalk feeling luxurious in my fine jacket or look (on the side without rust) at my 2014 car and say, "Hey, look at that nice car."
ReplyDeleteLinda? That's a good point, what makes you feel luxurious as opposed to what might be defined as luxury.
DeleteActually it's Sean, but I'd be fine being a Linda—hey, I'm liberated.
DeleteI remember during the Cold War the cliche was that every communist spy over here bought a mink coat, to feel luxurious... My mother got one for Christmas, but I can't remember when she ever wore it.
Sean: I wonder if that's true about the mink coat? But I can believe it.
DeleteMy favorite story of a group discussing luxury items such as microwave ovens and air fryers included one old lady saying, "I pick indoor plumbing."
ReplyDeleteLinda (the real one)
Linda: Indeed, having to trudge to the outdoor toilet in freezing temperatures must have been hellish.
DeleteGood list.
ReplyDeleteI think for me a real luxury is travel and going to visit foreign places that either take time and/or money. I'm always very appreciative of opportunities.
I'm also aware of how lucky we are to find a soul-mate and someone who loves us for who we are.
Liam: I don't fancy long distance travel any more but I like travelling within the UK and Ireland. And I agree, if we're lucky enough to find a soul mate, we're so fortunate.
DeleteI like the list.
ReplyDeleteMary: Thanks!
DeleteI think those items that we don't have to pay for, such as art, can be considered a luxury. To have it available to us at no or reasonable cost is a luxury. At this point in my life I think a bowl of good ice cream is a luxury!
ReplyDeleteSandra: I'd never thought of things that are free being a luxury, but that's a good definition. Surely a bowl of ice cream is an essential, not a luxury??
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