听力题 W: Why is it that some people are always buying beyond their means? I mean, they do not make that much and spend half of their incomes on designer clothes as such. M: My theory is that insecure people need to wear famous brand clothing to feel good. They want people to know that they are good enough to afford the best. W: Well, I don’t agree that name brands are just for the insecure. I mean, I like my designer clothes too. I do think designer shoes are more comfortable. M: So, you buy designer shoes for comfort? How about those ridiculous designer sweaters that have holes in them and shoes that have 25 cm heels? You surely aren’t saying that these things are functional. W: I disagree. Most designer and brand-name items are actually not useless. What you see on the catwalks are just the extremes. What you find in the stores is more functional. M: And not much less expensive! So don’t tell me that you’re into designer stuff. W: Like I said, some things are worth spending the money on, like stylish but comfortable shoes. But I wouldn’t get designer underwear, for example. I mean, for one pair of brand-name underwear, I can buy 10 pairs of sturdy cotton underwear at the market, and just throw them into the wash and not be heartbroken if they change color. But I’d buy a brand-name washing machine because I believe they work longer.