Being Asian means a multitude of things, but it appears that an inherent part of our DNA makeup, juxtaposed by the eye colour gene, is the exaggeration gene.

That and the heightened emotion gene. The exaggeration gene comes into full effect at the very mention of money.

Yes, we are in troubled econmic times and the big fallacy is that Asian people have money stashed under their matresses. We don’t! We are just as skint as the next person.

But we love to blow money on extravagent showpiece things just to ensure people know we are ‘numero uno’.

We have this ‘great’ ability to exaggerate earnings, to fabricate assets in the hope and belief that it will enhance one’s self worth and leave their peers feeling impressed and hopefully inadequate.

If one declares the purchase of a 38-inch television, the other will announce the acquisition of a slimmer 42-inch screen.

The fact that it barely fits on the wall is irrelevant. Size matters. If one states how generously they have contributed towards a charitable cause, the other will affirm a higher amount. Whether that cheque has been written remains a mystery.

But the desire to elevate oneself in company by professing such things remains customary. We are subject to candid revelations, or more aptly exaggerations of amounts spent on weddings, wedding attire and even food. If one groom arrives in a hired or borrowed Mercedes, the next will arrive in a Lamborghini.

Such antics are for social benefits, to impress other people with the belief that they will receive more respect and to portray the rich factor, even if it means, ironically, running into debt.

One gentleman only ever offered Cuban cigars to guests, giving the impression that he lived a lavish lifestyle whereby this was the norm.

When alone, however, he smoked only the cheapest brand. A clear exercise in demonstrating one’s self importance in front of one’s peers.

There seems to be a competitive obsession within the culture to publicise all manner of concoctions. For example, our children, according to their bragging parents are always top of the class.

A patent fabrication. And they always seems to attain three A’s in their A levels. If you’re going to exaggerate, at least deliver a believable story.

Such inventive people are adept in turning all manner of conversations into one that revolves around themselves and their alleged financial achievements.

They seem to be incapable of any other kind of dialogue from which we cannot escape, just to enhance their social standing.

You know the types, the ones who will only wear designer labels with the brand name is boldly visible. Let’s hope these people don’t catch wind of the twitter trend...or we really are in trouble.