No ... but it's the appearance/perception of financial stability. Remember this world is lived in by those with exorbitant ready wealth (they RUN the world, not simply live in it), it's lived in by the use of Credit ... which as you've explained is mostly the case with those upgrading phones. It's the perception that you have good credit to quickly and readily maneouver about that causes the allure. Do you know more than 5 family's that paid for their house (acquired in the last 10 yrs in N. America) all in cash or the equivalent in their bank account, no mortgage/loan? I sure don't but you can setup a meeting
Walking into an event or upscale bar, as a single man wearing a nice suit is not enough ... it needs to be "fitted" or tailored to get the best single/available woman

Hey who can blame them for wanting the best of the best. Appearance to a woman still exists but it's on a whole different level.
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All in presentation, how he carries himself, attire, grooming, attitude etc.
To a bloke that owns 4 houses ... how is he to prove that? Is he dumb enough to state that to any woman he meets, and how would you expect any woman to readily believe him just at that face value? You cannot take the houses with you to an event. I'm saying the typical meetup it's what can be readily seen an assessed quickly in the western world gets the eye focused. Just something I noticed from where I've gone out to, your perceptions/findings have fully been different. And no I don't agree this should be how it is, nor do I personally subscribe to it - although I'd love to have more wealth (financial security not to worry) yet just how this world works.