In the view of economic theory the expenditure in question is no more and no less legitimate than any other expenditure.

It is here called "waste" because this expenditure does not serve human life or human well-being on the whole, not because it is waste or misdirection of effort or expenditure as viewed from the standpoint of the individual consumer who chooses it.

If he chooses it, that disposes of the question of its relative utility to him, as compared with other forms of consumption that would not be deprecated on account of their wastefulness.

Whatever form of expenditure the consumer chooses, or whatever end he seeks in making his choice, has utility to him by virtue of his preference.

As seen from the point of view of the individual consumer, the question of wastefulness does not arise within the scope of economic theory proper.