“The reality is it’s a luxury. It’s not a need.”
That’s an apt description of so many of modern life’s expenses, isn’t it? Even those people describe as “must-haves,” right?
The quote comes from a Washington Post story pondering the impact of a new 10% tax on tanning salons. It’s been referred to as the “tan tax,” though I suppose it could have been called the “Jersey Shore” tax—because of the MTV show featuring orange, overly indoor-tanned characters, not the physical location, which happens to provide tanning free of charge courtesy of the sun.
The WP story talks to tanning customers to get their feedback on the tax, and while some folks are annoyed, many others understand, in the same way that people who smoke, drink, and drive cars (hopefully not at the same time) understand why it’s sorta good that there are taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and gasoline.
They also understand the concept of a luxury, as opposed to a necessity. Here’s another good quote from a tanning customer, which aptly sums up the situation (meaning tanning salons, not the “Jersey Shore” character who calls himself “The Situation):
“Some people pay $6 for a latte because it’s their way of relaxing or treating themselves… Well, this is my latte, and I’m not going to stop ordering it.”
Enjoy the latte (or your orange-brown skin). I’m happier having my coffee at home and saving thousands of dollars in the process.