QUIET LUXURY IN LUXURY DINING: A DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANT FOOD REVIEWS IN THAILAND, MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/JTHEM.1145009Keywords:
Cultural Capital, Luxury Dining, Michelin-Starred Restaurants Food Reviews, Roland Barthes' Myth, Quiet LuxuryAbstract
Amid increasing scholarly attention to changing forms of luxury consumption quiet luxury has emerged as a countertrend to conspicuous display of wealth. As a movement, quiet luxury has entered the realm of wealth display, particularly visible in the fashion industry. However, the presence of quiet luxury extends beyond the fashion industry. This study aims to highlight how quiet luxury has entered the domain of luxury dining. By analysing selected food reviews from restaurants in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore on Michelin's official websites through the lenses of Roland Barthes' myth and Pierre Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital, this paper demonstrates that quiet luxury does not need to only be appreciated visually. This study examines how Roland Barthes' myth theory shows that cultural ideas are simplified into linguistic symbols to shape and influence perception. Through linguistic approaches that focus on restaurant heritage, localised food ingredients, simplistic ambiance, and personalised narratives, the charm of quiet luxury is conveyed to potential customers who seek sophistication and refinement in culinary culture. This research offers new insights into how quiet luxury shapes perceptions of luxury dining by showcasing a reflection of cultural status through subtle details that are enhanced by myths.
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