One can afford an Apple iPhone 4 but cannot afford to buy four bags of apples. This is a popular saying among university students that reflects how crazy they are about brands.
'Are you using an iPhone?' 'How much are your adidas shoes?' 'What cosmetics are you using?'
Wu Ting, a student at Xinghai Conservatory of Music, knows all about the craze.
'I use brand-name cosmetics because a famous brand is a symbol of sophistication and taste,' says Wu. 'Everyone likes to be admired for their high class and good taste.'
Wu's comments represent the thinking of many college students in Guangdong.
A rough survey shows that at least one-third of the students at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies use an iPhone. Those who do not own one are considered to be lacking in taste.
Many students go after brand names because they like to follow trends.