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A Bengaluru professional claims “looking poor” helps him negotiate better prices. His viral LinkedIn post sparked a debate, with many praising the idea
A Bengaluru man’s unconventional approach to saving money has become the latest talking point on social media (Image-AI)
A Bengaluru-based professional has gone viral after revealing the surprising trick he says helps him save money on everything from groceries to gadgets, looking “poor.” In a LinkedIn post, he explained why he ditched his iPhone and MacBook, continues to drive a 10-year-old hatchback, and believes appearing wealthy comes with a hidden cost.
Sharing his perspective, Meenank Minnu wrote that he consciously prefers to appear less affluent because, according to him, it gives him an advantage while negotiating prices. He believes that the moment people perceive someone as wealthy, they tend to charge more for products and services. “I always try to look poor. It makes me negotiate harder,” he wrote.
Explaining his approach, Minnu said he sold his Apple devices and replaced them with alternatives. “I sold my iPhone. Bought a Vivo. Sold my MacBook. Bought an ASUS. I still drive a 10-year-old hatchback barely surviving e20 fuel.”
Despite driving an older vehicle and moving away from Apple’s ecosystem, he clarified that affordability was never the issue. “Can I afford a new car? Absolutely. But most people don’t realize: The moment you look rich, everything gets more expensive.”
According to him, the perception of wealth affects everyday transactions in India. He claimed that sellers, service providers and even authorities often adjust their behaviour based on how affluent a person appears.
Illustrating his point, he wrote, “ ₹20/kg potatoes become ₹28. A ₹500 traffic fine somehow becomes ₹1,500. ₹200 back cover comes for ₹700 cos it’s an iPhone. No one asks you to lend money which they’ll never repay.”
Summing up his philosophy, Minnu added, “People don’t just judge you. They price you.”
Interestingly, he revealed that his replacements were not cheaper than the products he sold. In fact, he claimed the opposite.
“Now for the funny part. My Vivo costs more than the iPhone. My ASUS costs more than the MacBook. The goal was never to look rich. The goal was to stop paying the ‘looks rich’ tax.”
He concluded his post by reflecting on what he described as the reality of doing business in India. According to him, true wealth is often understated rather than displayed.
“This is how business is done in India,” he wrote, adding, “The real wealthy of India isn’t hanging out in starbucks, but old school cafes negotiating million dollar deals. Anonymity is underrated. Mind your own business. Flash less. Live peacefully . Let someone else pay the attention tax.”
The post quickly gained traction on LinkedIn, with users sharing contrasting opinions on his strategy.
One user appreciated the message, writing, “The ending really stood out to me. Sometimes the less attention we attract, the more authentic our experiences become. Great lesson!”
Another commented, “I rather be rich than to look rich. Simplicity is far much more elegant.”
A third user agreed with the broader idea, saying, “This is a refreshing take on value over vanity. In my experience, the most effective negotiators never show their hand or their bank account,”
Not everyone was convinced. One user argued, “The macbook would mostly likely COOOK the Asus though, Meenank Minnu 👀 I prefer to buy things for my actual work and use cases based on what’s the best value and efficiency for me. Idgaf about whether the world things I’m rich or poor, I’ve learnt to say no and accept that some things will happen to you irrespective of how you look or present yourself, Meenank Minnu 🤷♂️”
Another simply wrote, “This didn’t make any sense to me!! I’m sorry :)”
Meanwhile, another user related to one of Minnu’s examples, commenting, “So true! Reality of getting an suv hits you hard when the fine hits a new high!”
The strategy of appearing less affluent to negotiate better prices may not work for everyone in India, as individual circumstances and cultural contexts vary. While one individual found success by selling his iPhone and driving an older car, citing that “people don’t just judge you.
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