Tumbler Trend: More Than Just a Drink Container

The trend of owning tumblers, with their diverse designs and models, is soaring, with individuals willing to spend extra on the latest trendy styles. But what fuels this phenomenon? According to Professor Dr. Sunyoto Usman, a sociologist from Gadjah Mada University, there are two key driving forces.

Desire for Trendiness

For some, purchasing a new tumbler is a way to showcase their social status and stay in tune with current trends. New items are often viewed as status symbols, and owning the latest tumbler model provides a sense of belonging and keeping up with the times. As Professor Usman puts it, “For some, buying a new tumbler is like wearing the latest fashion – it's a way to show that you're in the know.”

Meeting an Actual Need

While purchasing a tumbler due to a genuine need does exist, it constitutes a smaller percentage of the market. Buying a new tumbler because the old one was lost or damaged falls into this category. However, Professor Usman highlights that the accessibility of drinking water in workplaces and public areas lessens the urgency of this need. “In many situations, people can easily access clean drinking water without needing to carry their own tumbler,” he explains.

The spending power of teenagers, who rely on their parents for financial support, plays a significant role in this trend. Teenagers are more easily able to satisfy their desire for the latest tumbler to enhance their prestige or social standing. However, Professor Usman believes this trend may not be sustainable in the long run. Just like fashion, he suggests, it will fade as new trends emerge. “These trends are often fleeting,” he notes, “and new, more exciting things will inevitably come along.”

So, is the purchase of tumblers driven more by a desire to follow trends or by an actual need? The answer likely lies somewhere in between. What’s certain is that this trend exemplifies how certain items can become status symbols and reflect the desire to appear trendy in today's society.