Eye-spy wealth: cultural capital and ‘knowing luxury’ in the identification of and engagement with the superrich
2015; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 19; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/11745398.2015.1122536
ISSN2159-6816
Autores Tópico(s)Culinary Culture and Tourism
ResumoDrawing upon a wider ethnographic study of superrich lifestyle mobilities, I reflect upon my experiences of working as an assistant within a yacht brokerage during a superyacht sales show in West Palm Beach, Florida. Specifically, I examine the role of dress and appearance in guiding (and at times misguiding) my identification of potential superrich clients during the yacht show. In turn I outline the four-step process utilized by yacht brokers both to qualify the wealth status of a potential client and to successfully engage with legitimate clients. In doing so, I reflect upon some of the constraints of conducting an empirical study of the superrich, including the need to demonstrate sufficient cultural capital of luxury leisure practices and material goods.
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