Flaunting to fill your stomach

A month or two back I been to a good-bye dinner as one of the girl in our group is leaving after her marriage. We did spend an entire afternoon (a long time ago) getting a worthy gift for her, which was the best part of the evening. The rest was Whine & Dine for me. Not entirely whining, but I was wondering if it was worth it. Do read this sarcastic and mocking article in The Hindu (courtesy iCEeYZ). Much of what is said there is truly what happens.

Most of the time we go to one of the fanciest of places with the fatter menu card (by pricing). All of a sudden it has become a symbol of status. The excuse - once we all get married we would not have an opportunity to spend time and/or money this way *duh*.

Starting off with some unknown starters people laud at the wierly named delicacies. Oh btw, that was a decision made even before tasting it. Order some variety of indian bread, pick some exotic sounding side dishes and usually more than required wasting the rest. It is pretty much the same EVERYTIME. I havent tasted something really exotic as they claim, probably because I ain't a connoisseur of food. But then the folks at the table start saying, "WOW, this stuff is amazing guys. Dont miss it!".

I am not gonna go around saying there are people without square meals a day and we spend like this. Its been so and it will continue to be, and I ain't gonna make a statement as to how one should choose to spend money. Neither am I against such flaunting per se. Most of the time we'd console ourselves saying that we had a great time together. Ain't that what it is all about? So why do we depend on some extravagent indulgence as an excuse to be with people?

Strange that we have come to equating spending money lavishly with having a good time with people.