Assignment 4 : Discussions and Notes

I chose to interview a wide variety of people from students to professionals. I got a decent variation in answers but focused on the extremes. Women mostly considered jewellery, in particular wedding rings to be their most treasured possession. Simply because it is a visual reminder of there partner, wither that be living or deceased, everyday that they are instantly reminded of at first glance. This is also a declaration of their marital status for the outside world which they wear with pride. The rings in question were older and therefore worth more in sentimental value than monetary value but that is irrelevant to them. All women were devastated at the thought of loosing the rings and in particular my mother who said she would not care for another if she lost the original.




The answers varied most among men, I interviewed many of different ages and status, for example one 19 year old ANNONYMOUS student regarded a teddy bear as his most treasured possession. It was given to him as a gift from his father the day he was born. The gift surprisingly resorts this very ‘laddish’ man to seem very vulnerable into a boyish state, interesting. The other example was of a middle aged recently married business man who associated a carved elephant tusk as his most treasured possession. His on the other hand is estimated to be worth £10 000. I can see how he would cherish such an item although it was given to him by a grandparent so increases the value to him even more.



Another contrast in opinion was with two of my male friends of roughly the same age (late twenties) both with different personalities to see if their answers would differ, I was extremely surprised to find that the more ‘self obsessed pretty boy’ had the more emotive answer. His was a German Officers belt from WW1 given to him 6months ago, his great grand father had acquired it during the war while fighting for his country. The item of course is irreplaceable to him and when I suggested how exceptionally cool it would be to actually wear, the look on his face was enough to tell me he has probably never even taken it out the box other than to photograph it for me, bless. The other a more reserved and generous guy gave the answer of “ma I-phone” aside the fact that he works for Apple and his life revolves around selling and repairing them he still regards this as his most treasured. I was quite disappointed at the lack of sentiment in his answer yet it lead me to wonder why. Was it because it connects him with his friends and family? Or the sheer fact that it looks and sounds good? On further mind picking it was simply because it “cost him a fortune” typical guy!