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‘Don’t feel confident’: Man with 50 LPA salary says luxury airport shops like Dior and Swarovski feel out of reach

A man sparked debate after saying his 50LPA CTC wasn’t enough to shop at airport luxury stores.

Published on: Oct 4, 2025, 17:38:21 IST
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A social media post questioning affordability at airport luxury shops has triggered a wave of discussion online.

A man’s post on feeling broke at airport shops despite 50LPA CTC went viral. (X/@rayXtwt)
A man’s post on feeling broke at airport shops despite 50LPA CTC went viral. (X/@rayXtwt)

The viral post

A user identified as Ray took to X to share pictures of high-end airport outlets including Swarovski, Dior and The White Crow. Alongside the images, he wrote, “Even after 50LPA+ CTC, I don’t feel rich and confident enough to purchase from these Airport shops.”

Check out the post here:

His candid admission struck a chord online, amassing more than 72k views within hours. Many users weighed in, reflecting on income, lifestyle aspirations and the psychological effect of luxury spaces.

Questions over purchasing power

One user remarked, “Because 50LPA is still like 20LPA after paying taxes.” Another agreed that expectations never end, saying, “People aren’t satisfied with 50LPA too.”

Others pointed to the market these luxury stores actually cater to. One comment read, “I’ve never seen these shops as the ones set up for the average Indian audience in general. The target audience who shop from here are the ones who either have enough liquid cash and are generationally wealthy or don’t count their life by their monthly salary if they’re employed. It’s also usually foreigners and folks having a transit flight sometimes too.”

The airport shopping experience

Concerns over affordability continued. A user said, “I don’t think 50L CTC is that much of an in-hand income where these showrooms’ overpriced purchases would feel insignificant.” Another added, “Don’t think they’re for us bro.” Someone else highlighted the psychological struggle, stating, “Same andar ka middle class nhi manta.”

Taxes also entered the discussion, with one person pointing out, “Luxury taxes hit different at airports.” Another questioned priorities, asking, “Can’t you buy the cheap ones to be peaceful in life?”

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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