mf tempted at current price, page-71

Hi Kittyboomboom
I wasn't even aware you had said useless. I was actually referring to some commentators I've watched on TV, saying that they don't understand gold, why people buy it, etc., when it has no real use, and telling people to invest in something else.

I think a lot of those commentators, being men, miss the point of gold jewellery when they call it useless. It isn't just about female vanity. Historically, jewels and gold were the few things of value women were allowed to own in many cultures. It was often the only security they had - in times of war or displacement, women refugees would hide their gold in their clothing when they fled, knowing that at least they would have something to sell if they made it to safety. I know that it is unlikely any of us on this forum live anywhere politically unstable or likely to be at war, but millions of people throughout the world do. And if I lived in any of those places, I would have a stash of gold, if I could afford it, at the ready.

I think it has both a use (jewellery/universal resaleability) and from those uses comes its worth. I'm just trying to understand why people are saying it has no usefulness when it has been used for thousands of years across most cultures for decorative items, for status display, and as an alternative to currency.