- Hey, it's time for you to quit wearing this cap. It is old, it doesn't stretch properly, and you look dumb in it. Give it up already!

- No mom, don't you understand that this is a special cap? I got it from my sister, it is more than just a cloth, so I'm sticking to it. And while we're at it, the green hoodie you've partially blacklisted is also special - my sister and I got it together several years ago. I know that the colours are worn off, but that doesn't matter. Hold on for a second... let me see...

These boots, I got them with my sister N years ago (before the hoodie). These jeans, my sister and her husband got them for me last year. This blue shirt - you and dad got it for me, remember? Remember? This was a rare case in which I actually embraced the idea of buying new clothes... that was many years ago.. And this coat, we got it on the same day and in the same store as the greenie. This black thing on my neck - my sister again (yes, your daughter). The blue backpack, I know you've patched it multiple times, I know it falls apart, but I got it from my sister, who in turn got it from a close friend; it is a fragment of history.

In fact, my current outfit is made entirely of items that I got from someone special, so it's more than just an outfit.

- Aha, I see. Tell me, who gave you these gloves? ;-)

Morale of the story - perceived value depends on the distance. It shouldn't.

Follow up: