Understanding upward vs. downward social signals

Article contribution by Byron Tully

Picture: Ralph Lauren Purple Label

A friend commented not too long ago about ‘upward facing’ social signals and the contrasting ‘downward facing’ social signals.

A confused moment fell over our group, so he elaborated: the way we dress and the things we buy can often be subtle or obvious social signals. These signals–logos, brands, accessories, styles, or trends–are used by us to consciously or unconsciously signal our real or aspirational social status or, more tellingly, our values.

These signals can be sent ‘downward’ to those who we perceive to be beneath us on the social ladder, or ‘upward’ to those we perceive to be above us on the social ladder. For downward signals, we want to communicate that we’ve made it, that we’re successful, better off. For upward signals, we want to communicate that we understand the rules and values of those above us, and that we want to join their ranks.

Sometimes we send ‘parallel signals’ to others in our social class to convey that we are a part of the group and share their values. ‘We belong. We understand each other.’ But most of the time it’s upward or downward.

Downward signals tend to be more ostentatious. The gold Rolex. The Porsche. The fur coat. The diamonds. While these may impress those who have less money than we do–or who we want to make think that they have less money than we do–they are hit-and-miss with impressing those who actually do have the same amount or more money than we do.

To many, these obvious displays are the first signs of New Money. Most people will say, Good for you! Congratulations. A few will be resentful. A few will be put off. Remember, though, it’s one thing to achieve a new net worth. It’s quite another to matriculate into a new social class.

Old Money will take a wait-and-see attitude. Will your manners and values catch up to your new net worth? Do you really have money? Or did you just buy the new things on credit? Peacock today; feather duster tomorrow, as the saying goes.

So beware of ‘downward facing’ social signals. They are often interpreted as condescension. Beware of ‘parallel’ social signals. They might be interpreted as unthinking conformity.

If you signal upward, you might tend to be a little more discreet with your purchases, a little more circumspect with your display. And you’ll want to work on your posture, diction, manners, and reading–in addition to dressing Old Money Style–in order to round out your social signals with a little polish and patina, a little grace and humility.

So take a moment to consider the social signals you’re sending out with your attire, possessions, and manner. We are always communicating. We do care what other people think. It’s only human. And it is important. Up to a point.

Then it comes down to one single, life-defining perspective.