Dispatch from Mexico

The New York Times builds a typical Mexico-is-going-to-hell story on the increasing popularity of bodyguards. It focuses on a businessman named José, whose alarm about his family's vulnerability is hard to reconcile with his choice of automobiles:

Despite José’s expensive clothing, eye-catching jewelry and luxury home in
the hills, he insists that his family is different from many others in their
income bracket.

“We’re not nouveau riche,” he said with a huff. “Those people want guards
to show how important they are.”

As for the Ferrari, which he acknowledged is the opposite of discreet,
José said it was the car’s engine that attracted him to it. “It’s not to sit
back and have everyone look at me,” he said. “It’s to drive.”