# Things there isn't really a fancy version of **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 19, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137 "2020-05-19T19:39:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/1 "2020-05-19T19:39:08Z")
Cars are the kind of thing where there is a big difference in what is owned by an average vs. a rich person. Your average person might have a 7 year old Nissan Altima worth $4,000, and a rich person might have a $90,000 new Lexus SUV. But I’m thinking of items where there isn’t really a luxury version. Toilet paper springs to mind. Once you’ve upgraded from Walmart brand to Cottonelle, is there anywhere else to go? I mean, I’m sure somebody somewhere is selling mink TP, but it’s not what most wealthy people use. Or toothpaste? If I sneak into Bill Gate’s bathroom, would I find something other than Colgate? What else is there not really a fancy version of? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/2 "2020-05-19T19:45:15Z")
Straight peanut butter. Nothing added to make it “gourmet”. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/3 "2020-05-19T20:29:29Z")
Tacos How about smartphones? Unless you put diamonds all over them, I expect Bill Gates and I have pretty much the same phone. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/4 "2020-05-19T20:31:58Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > Cars are the kind of thing where there is a big difference in what is owned by an average vs. a rich person. Your average person might have a 7 year old Nissan Altima worth $4,000, and a rich person might have a $90,000 new Lexus SUV. $90k Lexus? When I travelled to Palo Alto for work, there was a McLaren dealership near the hotel. Dozens of $200k+ cars just sitting around the lot like they were Volvos or Fords. > [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > But I’m thinking of items where there isn’t really a luxury version. Toilet paper springs to mind. Once you’ve upgraded from Walmart brand to Cottonelle, is there anywhere else to go? I mean, I’m sure somebody somewhere is selling mink TP, but it’s not what most wealthy people use. Or toothpaste? If I sneak into Bill Gate’s bathroom, would I find something other than Colgate? Theodent 300 toothpaste > **[The most expensive toothpaste in the world: Theodent 300](https://luxuryes.com/2014/01/most-expensive-toothpaste-theodent-300/)** > > The race to become the most expensive in the world is always on, with companies introducing care products to the next level of luxury. Theodent 300 is one of the most expensive toothpastes priced around ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/5 "2020-05-19T21:21:15Z")
Lexus is more a mid range luxury car. The truly rich have cars that cost six figures. Lexus maxes out at high five figures. I’d say electric fans. I don’t think there’s a rich people version of one. Electronics too. Yeah you can get a bigger TV but what can you do to upgrade a gaming console, DVD player, phone etc? Cover it in gold and diamonds? There isn’t some super fast PS4 out there you can buy for five figures. My impression is some ‘rich people stuff’ is just the regular product with bling on it. Some foods, but not others. There is rich people beef, seafood and alcohol. Not so much chicken, pork and soft drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/6 "2020-05-19T21:26:22Z")
chitlins ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/7 "2020-05-19T21:46:12Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Some foods, but not others. There is rich people beef, seafood and alcohol. Not so much chicken, pork and soft drinks. Andy Warhol (in discussing his interest in mass-produced product labels like Campbell’s soup) pointed out that such products have a fascinatingly democratic quality to them. A billionaire, king, or president drinks the same quality of Coca-Cola as a hobo. This was less common before mass production came along. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/8 "2020-05-19T21:54:09Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > When I travelled to Palo Alto for work, there was a McLaren dealership near the hotel. Dozens of $200k+ cars just sitting around the lot like they were Volvos or Fords. If you want to see luxury car showrooms, go to Monaco. $200k is cheap there. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/9 "2020-05-19T22:09:13Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > . > > I’d say electric fans. I don’t think there’s a rich people version of one. > > . Ha. My wife managed to find some very expensive fans. Dyson I think. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/10 "2020-05-19T22:11:22Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Straight peanut butter. Nothing added to make it “gourmet”. They are trying. There’s the “all natural/no added sugar/no added salt/no added anything” brands. Also cashew butter, pecan butter, almond butter, pistachio butter, sunflower seed butter, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/11 "2020-05-19T22:18:49Z")
any expensive matches? I know there are fancy lighters. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/12 "2020-05-19T22:21:09Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > They are trying. There’s the “all natural/no added sugar/no added salt/no added anything” brands. Also cashew butter, pecan butter, almond butter, pistachio butter, sunflower seed butter, etc. “All natural/no added sugar/no added salt/no added anything” shouldn’t drive up the price due to quality or scarcity. There’s no super rare and expensive peanut to make PB from ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/13 "2020-05-19T22:24:55Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Ha. My wife managed to find some very expensive fans. Dyson I think. If you’re really rich, though, you get your servants to [wave palm fronds at you](https://factopolis.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/egypt1.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/14 "2020-05-19T22:28:00Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > If you’re really rich, though, you get your servants to [wave palm fronds at you](https://factopolis.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/egypt1.jpg). Or richer yet, then your slaves. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/15 "2020-05-19T22:35:20Z")
Mens Underwear Adult Toys Pho ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/16 "2020-05-19T22:44:53Z")
Biscuits and gravy. You might get fancy with artisan buttermilk biscuits and high-end sausage gravy, but the basic combo doesn’t need improvement. (except for maybe adding ground pepper and some Tabasco sauce) ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/17 "2020-05-19T22:46:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Straight peanut butter. Nothing added to make it “gourmet”. I can find 16 oz jars of “natural” peanut-only peanut butter for $2.99 sharing a shelf with 16oz (or less) jars of “natural” peanut-only peanut butter for $10+. Somebody buys the expensive stuff and probably with a belief that it (and perhaps they) are superior. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/18 "2020-05-19T23:22:15Z")
I was going to say salt, but there are people with extra-disposable income buying expensive Pink Crystal Non-GMO Himalayan Salt. From an ad for one such product: “Himalayan salt is hand-harvested from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan using time-honored methods, and is unrefined, unprocessed, and does not contain any additives…Because the salt was left untouched for years under the immense pressure of the mountain ranges, Himalayan salt remains one of the purest salts available. It is nutrient dense and contains 84 natural trace elements and minerals, including iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which is where it gets its range of pink color from.” See, it’s ultra-pure because of all those impurities! (hilariously, this product also carries a California Prop. 65 warning, apparently due to the lead content) I don’t _think_ there’s a Rich Person ground horseradish, but I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/19 "2020-05-19T23:31:20Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Biscuits and gravy. You might get fancy with artisan buttermilk biscuits and high-end sausage gravy, but the basic combo doesn’t need improvement. (except for maybe adding ground pepper and some Tabasco sauce) Lots of Southern dishes would come under that heading as well: chicken-fried steak, for example. You can make it poorly, you can make it well, but what you _can’t_ do is use expensive meat. The fancy stuff can’t take the processing without falling apart. Greens is greens. Serving them with Modeno balsamic vinegar will just make them taste bad. Trying to fancy-up **blondebear** ’s Biscuits & Gravy just yields a mess. The proper biscuit has to be just right, with enough heft to handle the gravy load. Get too “light and fluffy” with them and they collapse under the sausage-y flood. Like using brioche buns for a burger - just an excuse to charge more, because it certainly doesn’t work as a burger. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137/20 "2020-05-20T00:00:20Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > Andy Warhol (in discussing his interest in mass-produced product labels like Campbell’s soup) pointed out that such products have a fascinatingly democratic quality to them. A billionaire, king, or president drinks the same quality of Coca-Cola as a hobo. This was less common before mass production came along. Soda was the first thing that spring to my mind. If there are luxury colas or cola snobs who prefer them, I’ve never encountered any. The most common, ubiquitous brands, like Coke and Pepsi, are the ones most people seem to prefer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-there-isnt-really-a-fancy-version-of/854137.md?page=2)