In a recent paper, Luca Kristóf and Boldizsár Megyesi explore the relationship between ethical and “ostentatious” consumption and cultural consumption. 

 

The full study is available HERE.

 

Similar patterns to those described in Western Europe are observed in Hungary. Two attitudes towards food consumption can be distinguished: one is characterised by receptiveness to ethical, green and “ostentatious” consumption that the authors call a "hipster food consumption attitude", while the other more traditional food consumption attitude is typical of those who prefer to focus on the functional properties of food (healthy, no artificial substances) – for whom familiarness (not exotic, Hungarian products) is more important than environmental friendliness. Both attitudes are linked to cultural consumption habits.

Variables explaining food consumption attitudes. Source: own figure.

The correlation of the hipster dimension of food consumption with cultural consumption shows that this type of consumption is clearly a lifestyle element. The different dimensions of cultural capital also indicate that we can talk about omnivorous cultural consumption among people with a hipster consumption habit. The consumer habits highlighted by our quantitative analysis could be further explored in more nuanced and precise ways with qualitative studies.