It can totally be conspicuous consumption. Have you ever tried to buy a new pair of cowboy boots? That shit is expensive. As is a lot of the other trappings of the genre/aesthetic like big trucks. Plus there's an entire subset of people who spend a ridiculous amount of money to look like they're dudes helping out on the family farm.
That's not a country only thing but it definitely rubs people the wrong way.
I think the culture surrounding music is relevant when discussing it but even if we want to stick only to the actual music: steel guitars are super expensive and the lyrical themes of many country songs involve lifestyles most working class people are priced out of.
It can totally be conspicuous consumption. Have you ever tried to buy a new pair of cowboy boots? That shit is expensive. As is a lot of the other trappings of the genre/aesthetic like big trucks. Plus there's an entire subset of people who spend a ridiculous amount of money to look like they're dudes helping out on the family farm.
That's not a country only thing but it definitely rubs people the wrong way.
Country music is not conspicuous. Which is the topic here.
It is when its being played in public
I think the culture surrounding music is relevant when discussing it but even if we want to stick only to the actual music: steel guitars are super expensive and the lyrical themes of many country songs involve lifestyles most working class people are priced out of.