IAWYC that signals lose their value when they become well known enough to be commonly gamed, but some of your examples have reasons other than signaling behind them. The purpose of buying people drinks is not to signal status; rather, it’s to make them feel obliged to reciprocate (by talking to the buyer).
The purpose of buying people drinks is not to signal status; rather, it’s to make them feel obliged to reciprocate (by talking to the buyer).
And the purpose of not buying people drinks isn’t so much to save money but to signal that our conversation is worth at least as much, and probably more, than theirs.
IAWYC that signals lose their value when they become well known enough to be commonly gamed, but some of your examples have reasons other than signaling behind them. The purpose of buying people drinks is not to signal status; rather, it’s to make them feel obliged to reciprocate (by talking to the buyer).
And the purpose of not buying people drinks isn’t so much to save money but to signal that our conversation is worth at least as much, and probably more, than theirs.