"Money is sensual"

Money provokes powerful feelings; its presence or absence evokes desire, envy, anxiety, or ecstasy. Describing money as “sensual” draws attention to its deep connection with the body, emotion, and experience. Rather than existing solely as abstract numbers or neutral exchange, money touches the senses. Its texture matters, the feel of crisp bills or the cold weight of coins. The sound of cash registers, the scent of new banknotes, and the gleam of precious metals all stimulate physical reactions. Beyond objects, money fuels pleasures and fantasies, promising access to the taste of fine wines, the touch of silk, the warmth of travel, or the spectacle of entertainment.

The language of money is often couched in desires: we “crave” wealth, “lust” after possessions, and “hunger” for success. Transactions themselves are imbued with ritual and anticipation, as handing over payment can bring satisfaction or pain. Those who handle cash daily, bankers, cashiers, traders, sometimes report a visceral thrill or aversion, reinforcing that money is far from neutral. It seduces, fascinates, and can arouse greed or generosity.

Socially, money acts as an aphrodisiac. It amplifies status, signaling power or attractiveness in certain cultures. Gifts, luxury, and spending are sensual performances, an expensive dinner or a designer gift can be an act of seduction, a physical demonstration of worth or affection. Money shapes relationships, coloring intimacy and trust, and it can stand in for love, safety, or desire when words fail.

Artists and writers have long explored the eroticism of wealth, from glitzy jewelry in film to the allure of “riches to rags” tales. Money’s sensuality intersects with imagination; the mere thought of financial freedom or abundance can stir longing. By describing money as “sensual,” Jerry Stiller captures its ability to excite not just minds, but hearts, bodies, and our deepest appetites.