8 Odd Things That Used to Make Your Neighbor Jealous
When you think of status symbols, you probably picture luxury cars or designer bags. But what if I told you that once upon a time, a pineapple or a real-live hermit could do the trick? Yep, history has served up some truly bizarre ways to flaunt your fortune. Let's dive into eight of the quirkiest status symbols that made people go, "Wow, they've really made it!"
1. Pineapples: The OG 'Look What I've Got' Fruit
In the 16th and 17th centuries, owning a pineapple was the ultimate flex. These tropical treats were so rare in Europe that people didn't even eat them — they just showed them off. A single pineapple could cost as much as a down payment on a house today, making it the perfect centerpiece for your high-society dinner party. Forget tasting it — just having it on your table was enough to make your guests green with envy.
2. Ornamental Hermits: The Original Garden Gnomes (But Real)
Why settle for a cute garden gnome when you could hire a real-life hermit to live in your backyard? In 18th-century England, the rich did just that. They'd pay someone to live in a small hut on their estate, adding a touch of mystery and an "I'm-so-rich-I-can-afford-a-human-decoration" vibe to their gardens. Talk about taking landscaping to the next level!
3. Mummy-Unwrapping Parties: The Ultimate Unboxing Event
Have you ever received an invitation to a mummy-unwrapping party? We bet you haven't — yet in 19th-century England, the elite would actually gather to unwrap real Egyptian mummies in their living rooms. It was like the ultimate unboxing video but with way more historical artifacts. Nothing says "I'm cultured and filthy rich" like casually peeling back 3,000-year-old bandages in front of your dinner guests.
4. Pointy Shoes: Bigger Has Always Been Better
Forget practicality and comfort — back in the 14th and 15th centuries, men's shoes were all about length. The longer the point, the higher your status. Some shoes extended so far past the toes that they practically needed their own zip code. Comfort aside, this status symbol was about making sure everyone knew you were way too important to care about something as trivial as walking without tripping.
5. Fake Ruins (Follies): Why Build a Mansion When You Can Build Ancient History?
In Victorian England, the wealthy didn't just build homes — they built history. Or at least, they pretended to. Rich Victorians constructed elaborate fake "ruins" on their estates, designed to resemble ancient structures. It was all about showing off their refined taste and deep pockets, even if that sophistication was just a well-crafted illusion.
6. Salt: The Original 'You Fancy' Spice
Once upon a time, salt wasn't just something you sprinkled on your fries — it was a treasure. In ancient Rome, salt became so valuable that it doubled as currency. At dinner parties, the really fancy folks set ornate salt cellars out on display, and sitting "above the salt" meant you were top-dog at the table. Who knew something so basic could be so bougie?
7. X-ray Photographs: Bling Meets Bones
In the early 20th century, everyone went gaga over X-ray technology, and the wealthy found a way to make it their own. Ladies would get X-ray photographs of their hands, showing off not just their bones but their bling too. It was the ultimate combo of "check out my jewelry" and "look how modern I am."
8. Low-numbered License Plates: Because 1 Is Just Cooler Than 1023
Even today, we continue to come up with new bizarre status symbols. For example, in some states (we're looking at you, Delaware), having a low-numbered license plate is a big deal. Think of it as the ultimate VIP pass for your car. The lower the number, the cooler you are — or at least that's what these plates suggest. They're so coveted that some people shell out more cash for a plate with a single digit than they would for the actual car it's attached to. In 1994, the "9" license plate in Delaware sold for nearly $200,000.
We've Always Loved Weird and Wonderful Ways to Show Off
While today's status symbols might be a bit more straightforward, the desire to impress is as old as time. So next time you see someone flaunting a fancy pair of ripped jeans or a designer belt, just remember — they're carrying on a long tradition of showing the world they've got it made, even if it's not with a pineapple.
References: Bizarre status symbols through history | 10 Surprising Status Symbols From Throughout History | 18 Former Status Symbols Most People are Embarrassed About These Days | Five historic status symbols we don't flash around today
