A social media post questioning the affordability of luxury airport stores has gone viral, igniting a larger debate on wealth perception, lifestyle aspirations, and India’s growing income divide.
The viral post
A user identified as Ray took to X (formerly Twitter) to share pictures of luxury outlets at an airport, including Swarovski, Dior, and The White Crow.
Alongside the images, he wrote, “Even after 50LPA+ CTC, I don’t feel rich and confident enough to purchase from these airport shops.”
The post struck a chord with many, amassing more than 72,000 views within hours.
Ray’s honesty about feeling financially inadequate despite a high income opened the floodgates to discussions on the pressures of modern affluence.
Netizens react: Taxes, priorities, and privilege
Several users agreed that even a ₹50 lakh annual package doesn’t always translate into financial ease. “Because 50LPA is still like 20LPA after paying taxes,” one person wrote.
Others echoed the sentiment, adding, “People aren’t satisfied with 50LPA too.”
Some users, however, argued that such stores aren’t designed for the average Indian shopper.
“These shops cater to those who either have generational wealth or don’t count life by their monthly salary,” one commenter said.
The psychology of luxury
Beyond finances, many reflected on the psychological barrier that luxury spaces create. “Same andar ka middle class nhi manta,” one user wrote, describing the internal hesitation people feel in such environments.
Others pointed to differing priorities, with one comment asking, “Can’t you buy the cheap ones to be peaceful in life?” Another remarked, “Luxury taxes hit differently at airports.”
Broader reflections
The viral post has since sparked a wider conversation about purchasing power and how luxury brands at airports symbolize aspiration, exclusivity, and the emotional tension between earnings and perceived wealth in contemporary India.
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