tatto king lyon

King Crown

I said to myself, “eureka,” as it occurred to me that the classifieds section might just be the ultimate source of “status presentations.” A casual glance did not disappoint me…

A self-described wealthy older man is looking for a woman to attend domestic and international events with. The right woman must be petite, classy, and confidant with an affluent crowd. This is a sexual relationship. The right woman will receive accommodations in the owners mansion (he doesn’t call it that but he does provide square footage) and will received a monthly stipend.

Though this description is openly published, I have paraphrased and withheld the source to protect his already anonymous privacy.

First, this man has defined himself as an affluent man…he lives in a grandiose home, travels regularly, and mingles with an affluent crowd. All of this conveys status but second and more interesting is that he is looking for a status symbol as a companion, one that he controls. He makes it clear that her primary role is to project an image—though he does expect sexual gratification. In essence, there is no personal magnetism, intellectual, or emotional appeal—this is about a staged performance (at least that is what is most important). This man is extremely status conscious and perhaps that is why he is materially successful? Control becomes a new theme.

I am now wondering what role emotions play and for what….

Does high status mean greater dramaturgical mastery? (Goffman)

Anyhow, the classifieds offer a host of information and potential for the study of status. I expect to return there more often for casual inspiration and later for a more methodological and rigorous inquiry(s).

tatto king lyon

Organizations often establish various symbols in order to identify their members. The images shown here include insignia from a collegiate secret society, motorcycle club, Scottish clan’s tartan plaid, university logo, military unit, street gang, and a Polish clan’s coat of arms. I would classify all these as formal symbols because the conventions that establish them have the force of law within the groups that they represent. Their purpose, I propose, is to facilitate group cohesiveness through in-group self-identification as well promote the group to the larger world.

Are clothing brand logos ever suggestive of group insignia? Are aesthetic choices in lifestyle, such as clothing, used as a form of informal insignia?