Bengaluru Professional Explains Why He Chooses to Look Poor While Negotiating
Bengaluru professional says looking poor helps him negotiate better deals.
A Bengaluru-based working professional has sparked widespread discussion on social media after claiming that he intentionally maintains a modest appearance to strengthen his bargaining power and avoid being charged higher prices. In a LinkedIn post that has attracted significant attention, Meenank Minnu said he deliberately chose to appear less affluent by replacing premium gadgets with alternatives that attract less attention. According to him, the strategy helps him negotiate more effectively in everyday transactions while avoiding what he described as a "looks rich" premium.
In his post, Minnu said he sold his iPhone and switched to a Vivo smartphone, replaced his MacBook with an ASUS laptop, and continues to drive a decade-old hatchback. He explained that these decisions were not driven by financial constraints but by a desire to minimise assumptions about his spending capacity. While acknowledging that he could afford newer vehicles and luxury gadgets, he argued that visible signs of wealth often influence the prices quoted by sellers and service providers.
Expanding on his point, Minnu claimed that people perceived to be wealthy frequently end up paying more for goods and services. He cited examples such as vegetables being sold at higher prices, traffic fines allegedly becoming more expensive, and accessories for premium smartphones costing significantly more than similar products for other devices. He also remarked that projecting a modest lifestyle reduced the likelihood of being approached for loans that might never be repaid.
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Interestingly, Minnu noted that despite changing to less recognisable brands, his replacement devices were not necessarily cheaper. He said his ASUS laptop actually cost more than the MacBook he had sold, while his Android smartphone was also more expensive than the iPhone it replaced. According to him, the objective was never to appear poor but rather to avoid paying what he called the "looks rich" tax, which he believes is influenced by public perception rather than actual purchasing power.
The LinkedIn post quickly gained traction, prompting users to debate whether outward appearance influences negotiations and pricing in India. Several commenters agreed with Minnu's observations, suggesting that successful negotiators often avoid displaying wealth during business dealings. One user described the post as a refreshing perspective on valuing practicality over appearances, adding that experienced negotiators rarely reveal the extent of their financial resources before reaching an agreement.
The discussion has reignited conversations about consumer behaviour, social perception and negotiation tactics in everyday life. While there is no evidence to suggest that pricing or penalties are routinely determined by a person's appearance, behavioural experts have long acknowledged that perceptions can influence interactions in informal markets. Minnu's remarks have therefore resonated with many social media users, while also drawing differing opinions from those who believe pricing should remain transparent and independent of an individual's perceived financial status.
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