[jansan]

There was this joke about rich Russians that I heard maybe 25 years ago.

Two rich Russian guys meet and one brags about his new necktie. "Look at this, I paid $500 for it." The other rich Russian guy replies: "Well, that is quite nice, but you have to take better care of your money. I have seen that same necktie just yesterday in another shop for $1000."

[jaysonelliot]

Can you explain that joke for me? I keep reading it and I don't get it.

[iteratethis]

The punch line is that more expensive is better in cases where you buy something just to flex wealth.

[fragmede]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good

[jansan]

To put it simple: He only bought the necktie so he can brag how rich he is. He could have bragged even more if he had bought the necktie in the other shop.

[d0mine]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Russians

[atulvi]

it's just that rich Russians do not have financial sense.