My friend considers herself an up and coming career woman so she bought herself a brief case that cost her nearly $500. I thought this was ridiculous. I didn't tell her that but she saw I wasn't as enthusiastic about her new case as she expected me to be.

I asked her why she spent so much for the case and she said that every woman in her career position had to have an expensive brief case to prove that she is as good as her male counter part. I did my best not to roll my eyes. The previous week she was complaining that she didn't have enough money to buy her growing son a pair of new shoes for school and the very next week she bought herself the case.

Is it really necessary for a career woman to have a very expensive brief case to prove that she's a good worker, especially when money is hard to come by?

I would agree with your take on this topic, with a few caveats.
I consider myself a professional/career women, and I work with many high-level officials and political appointees. Most have a brief case, and many are expensive.
I don't think it is the type of case you have, so long as it is professional, clean, intact and functional. To get meet those criteria you will need to pay a few dollars, but probably not $500. I recently purchased a very nice case for $100.

well if she really can afford it then why not(well she did buy one)..but in my case ..i will not really buy an expensive one..im not a brand and price conscious woman..

Your friend's reasoning for her need to have a presentable brief case to use does make sense, although as it's been pointed out, $500 seems rather extreme for a still up and coming businesswoman when she could have gotten one for much less. I suspect the reason she got herself the one she did has more to do with her own self-image and as an incentive to herself to strive to attain her goals. The heart knows its own desires and will make its own rationalizations. As they say, different strokes for different folks.

Wow!! That really is a LOT of money. I can't imagine spending that much on one item.. I mean, unless it's a computer, or a tv or something major. I guess I get it to a point though because she wants to look good, but wow. Looks can be on sale too

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-Brittany Brydahl