As children, we often have a warped sense of what constitutes luxury. From fast food to colored pencils, there are many things that we thought were signs of wealth and sophistication, only to realize as adults that they are far from it. A recent thread on AskReddit brought back this nostalgia, prompting users to share their childhood notions of luxury that turned out to be false.
One user reminisced about how they believed that going to a restaurant and ordering a club sandwich was the epitome of sophistication. The little toothpicks with plastic frills that held the sandwich together added to the fanciness. It’s funny how something as simple as a sandwich can make us feel so adult and refined when we’re young.
Another user shared that having the 120-pack of colored pencils or crayons was considered a privilege in their childhood. Having a wide range of colors to choose from was a symbol of prestige among their peers. It just goes to show how something as ordinary as colored pencils can be seen as a luxury through the eyes of a child.
One response that many of us can relate to is the perception of Shirley Temples as fancy. When parents took their children to a “fancy” restaurant and allowed them to order this mocktail, it made them feel like grown-ups. The skinny straw and the maraschino cherry only added to the illusion of sophistication.
Some users pointed out that they believed having a two-story house meant that you were rich. This notion reflects how, as children, we associate grander houses with wealth. Little did we know that a two-story house does not necessarily equate to financial prosperity.
Another interesting response was the perception of sun-dried tomatoes as posh. Although they are likely dried in a factory using high-powered UV lights, the idea of them being delicately laid out on a sun-soaked Italian veranda seemed more glamorous to the poster. Again, it’s fascinating how our imaginations can elevate something as simple as a tomato into an extravagant treat.
Refrigerators with built-in ice dispensers were considered a luxury by one user. This small convenience sparked a sense of admiration and envy as a child. It’s amusing to think how our perceptions of luxury can be shaped by the simplest of things.
Brands like Adidas were seen as “designer” by another user, showcasing how children often aspire to own certain brands associated with wealth and prestige. Even if these brands were not actually considered designer, for a child who only bought knockoff brands, they symbolized aspiration and achievement.
Paper crowns from fast food restaurants were also seen as the height of fashion by one user. These simple and disposable items made them feel like royalty. They only needed one nugget to complete their banquet. It’s funny how a small piece of cardboard can make us feel so regal.
Childhood celebrations involving shrimp were another common perception of luxury. In the eyes of one user, getting good grades or any reason to celebrate meant a trip to Red Lobster or Long John Silver’s for shrimp. This was seen as an absolute luxury, the pinnacle of indulgence.
Bottled water was seen as gourmet by another user, with distilled, purified, and spring water being considered different levels of luxury. Sipping on fresh-from-the-glacier spring water made them feel like they were partaking in something exclusive and refined.
The presence of junk food in a friend’s kitchen was viewed as the ultimate luxury by one user. Brands like Cap’n Crunch, Twinkies, and Ding Dongs were seen as forbidden delights that only the lucky few had the privilege to enjoy. It’s interesting how our perception of luxury can be shaped by the absence of certain items.
TV dinners were once considered haute cuisine by another user. The watery, tasteless, frozen dinners that they only had when their cousin spent the night now repulse them as adults. This shows how our tastes and perceptions change as we grow up.
Hummus was believed to be a special delicacy that only appeared at fancy parties by one user. The presence of hummus made these gatherings feel extravagant and sophisticated. It’s amusing how a simple dip can elevate an entire event in a child’s mind.
The misconception of Olive Garden as fine dining was shared by another user. They marked a questionnaire claiming to have recently experienced fine dining simply because they had eaten at the restaurant. This amusing mix-up shows how our perceptions of luxury can be easily swayed, especially when we’re young.
For one user, the local Chinese buffet in a relatively rural Tennessee hometown was the most exotic thing they knew. In a place where cultural diversity might be limited, something as simple as a Chinese buffet could be seen as an exciting and upscale experience.
Grey Poupon mustard was considered a fancy delicacy by one user. They imagined a sophisticated Frenchman slathering it on a baguette, only accessible to the wealthy. In reality, it’s just mustard. This misconception highlights how branding and marketing can influence our perception of luxury.
Lastly, the popular response that Ferrero Rocher chocolates were only for special occasions, such as Christmas. Many users shared how they thought these decadent chocolates were only available during the holiday season. Little did they know that they could be enjoyed all year round.
Reading through these responses, it’s clear that our childhood notions of luxury and sophistication can often be misguided. The simple pleasures and small conveniences that we believed were signs of wealth and exclusivity turned out to be far from it.
As we grow older and gain a greater understanding of the world, our perceptions of luxury change. We come to appreciate and value different things. What once seemed extravagant may now seem ordinary.
So, what did you think was super fancy when you were a kid but later realized wasn’t actually as sophisticated as it seems? Share your memories and perceptions in the comments. It’s always interesting to see how our childhood perceptions of luxury differ from reality.