Steak out and spend big bucks

The New York Times has two stories about New York behavior I found interesting.

First, it seems women who are dating are going for steak these days and aren't embarrassed about it. 

"...Some, especially those who are thin, say ordering a salad displays an unappealing mousiness.

“It seems wimpy, insipid, childish,” said Michelle Heller, 34, a copy editor at TV Guide. “I don’t want to be considered vapid and uninteresting.”

Ordering meat, on the other hand, is a declarative statement, something along the lines of “I am woman, hear me chew.”

Well done, ladies.

Second is an examination of how some people will buy anything as long as the item is very very expensive.  Is this insane, or the behavior of people with way too much money and not enough common sense?  When high price is the allure