The Issue of Flexing in The Indonesia's Poverty

For many Indonesians, flexing their wealth has become a way of life. But what is flexing to be exact? Flex is a slang for "to show off," whether it is your appearance, your possessions, or whatever else you deem to be superior to that of others. Flexing is frequently condemned as a show of dominance and is seen as conceited and false. 

In Indonesia, flexing is known as a wealth exhibition context, which is uploaded on social media. Today, many social media users are competing to show their luxury life, in order to get the attention of citizens. 

From luxury car shows, luxury bags, to luxurious vacation shows. What are the reasons for people doing such a thing? Psychologically, there are many reasons why a person performs an act of flexing or showing. A form of self-imagination; by showing out something that one possesses, one will feel able to show his social status to others. This is done in the hope that his image becomes better in the eyes of others. 

Covering the insecurity; a person who often feels insecure or low-self, usually tends to cover this with what he has. So when a person does not have something, he will cover it with the pride of something else he has. As a self existence; flexing is also done with a reason as self-existence. By showing luxury, one will get more attention on social media.

There are many cases of flexing that straighten some officers and their families. One of them is the tax officer in Jakarta, Rafael Alun Trisambodo. Rafael Alun Trisambodo became a highlight after his son Mario Dandi Satrio persecuted David Latumahina to a coma. Police seized a luxury Jeep car, the Rubicon worth billions of roubles, which David used to persecute David. In addition to the luxury car, citizens later discovered that Rafael also had a row of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Rafael said the Rubicon car and Harley Davidson fashion was not his, but his brother, his son, and his niece.

According to Psychology Today, flexing or showing off is a natural thing to happen. It is said to be natural when a person performs to increase self-motivation, prepare for future success, inspire others, and avoid the risk of depression. But on the other hand, flexing can also be a negative thing, when based on a psychological condition. For example, flexing is done because of a feeling of lack of confidence, loneliness, or jealousy. Because based on these conditions, flexing can trigger someone’s extreme behavior.