Materialism: Ruling our Society!
By DRIF7N
@DRIF7N (3)
Australia
January 27, 2012 12:14am CST
Do you think materialism is ruining our society? I think it is. No matter where I go, everyone is obsessed with looking nice and owning nice things. I don't know how many times I've seen people not wanting to associate with someone else because of their status and the clothes they wear. The same thing applies to girls (from what I have seen and experienced). I honestly think girls go for looks 95% of the time. They want to look good in front of their friends and they want to show off so they go out with someone who owns a 30k car, dresses in expensive clothes, takes them out every night etc.
Another good example is by the car you drive. If you own an old and inexpensive car that isn't very pretty to look at, you're frowned upon and everyone looks at you like you're a different person but if you drive a Lamborghini or Mercedes (or anything relatively new and expensive) everyone wants to know you and they basically treat you like you're some king.
Truth is, no one is different from anyone else. Some people can afford nice things because they have a rich family or have worked hard for it and others simply can't afford anything and are making enough money to get by but that doesn't mean that they are a bad person.
What are your thoughts on this?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jan 12
That's what i notice too with the people now. 
They seem to be wanting a lot of material things. Though, being so indeed doesn't mean that they are bad. They just want to be at par with everybody, since the people around them seem to be having nice things.
I think it depends on the friends we have or the office mates we have. If your office mates are so into material things, the tendency is to envy their nice things and would like to have them too. Though, in a nice way it becomes a motivation for a person to work hard.
They seem to be wanting a lot of material things. Though, being so indeed doesn't mean that they are bad. They just want to be at par with everybody, since the people around them seem to be having nice things.
I think it depends on the friends we have or the office mates we have. If your office mates are so into material things, the tendency is to envy their nice things and would like to have them too. Though, in a nice way it becomes a motivation for a person to work hard.
@BJmalone (52)
•
27 Jan 12
I like the way you put that. However, as i have seen this can lead to allot of feelings of being better or less than someone because of financial status. when in truth most people with money and nice things don't truly appreciate what they have and look down on people without it. Most people without money are more giving then people with money and that just doesn't make sense. I have always said if every day was like Christmas and you spent all you money to give stuff to someone else you would be broke, but you would also be overflowing with things every single day from your friends and family. If everyone gave all they had then everyone would have what they need and more. everyone wanting to keep for there-selves causes unbalance in society.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Sometimes, i find it ridiculous for some people to try to give some gifts, even if they cannot afford it. 
They may not have the cash, but they do have their credit cards. Hence, they will use the credit cards and when the bill comes, they don't have the amount to pay it in full. Thus, they will opt for the minimum payment which bears interest. And in the next months purchases will again be added and the same process, until the debt accumulates, thus making them buried in credit card debts. This happens to a lot of people.
Why can't just people just give non- material things and accept that they lack fund for expensive ones. At least, you won't live beyond your means when you accept that.
They may not have the cash, but they do have their credit cards. Hence, they will use the credit cards and when the bill comes, they don't have the amount to pay it in full. Thus, they will opt for the minimum payment which bears interest. And in the next months purchases will again be added and the same process, until the debt accumulates, thus making them buried in credit card debts. This happens to a lot of people.
Why can't just people just give non- material things and accept that they lack fund for expensive ones. At least, you won't live beyond your means when you accept that. 
@visminda_824 (153)
• Philippines
28 Jan 12
I agree with you DRIF7N. It is because of materialism that people are drifting apart. It is sad to note that this happens even in a family, the basic element of society. I notice also that one is surrounded by friends because of money one possesses. But once, he or she loses his/her money, the friends are gradually avoiding him/her. Thus, I was not shocked when a religious person asked, what is your religion? Please choose one: Christianity/Christianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other sm....but, wait.. here's another choice, a new one ....Materialism....
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
28 Jan 12
We are living in a materialistic world and that influences the mentality of people to live beyond their means. Our society are too obsessed with the glitters of the world and forgot that they can't own them with empty pockets thus we are haunted by crimes when people sought the fastest way to get money so they can fulfill their heart desires to own things that they can't afford. Good people turn wicked due to stiff competitions among the society as a result of living in this materialistic world where everything comes with heavy price tags. 
@marie_cuizon (191)
• Philippines
27 Jan 12
It's what i have also noticed in our society nowadays. It seems that people are competing of owning the things with price tags. It is quite sad that these days most people rely on materials things so much, they tend to forget that it will just passed by. For me there is nothing bad of wanting to have expensive things as long as it is acquired legally. However, some people resort to illegal acts just to get what they want. I hope they would come into realization that happiness or the true color of a person cannot be measured by his or her possessions. It is still the acts that we do that tells us who we are and not those material things. :)
@marie_cuizon (191)
• Philippines
27 Jan 12
It's what i have also noticed in our society nowadays. It seems that people are competing of owning the things with price tags. It is quite sad that these days most people rely on materials things so much, they tend to forget that it will just passed by. For me there is nothing bad if wanting to have expensive things as long as it acquired legally. However, some people resort to illegal acts just to get what they want. I hope they would come into realization that happiness or the true color of a person cannot be measured by his or her possessions. It is still the acts that we do that tells us who we are and not those material things. :)
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
28 Jan 12
Hi DRIF7N,I see you are a new mylotter and I am basing that on the
three post...if I am mistaking , sorry...But I just wanted to say
Welcome to mylot...
Not about your post, you are right on the button with the thoughts
expressed in this post...So many people are going or already are in
so much debt because they are trying to live beyond theie means.
Lobster mind and Hot Dog pockets...
I drive my car because I can and its paid for..oh by the way it is
a 2000 toyota and I feel like its suppose to last me forever...
For those who can afford all these lavish ways of living , I wish
them well..because if I could afford I would surely live better than
I am...but I am not in that category, but God is still good and I
am so grateful for what I have...If I am suppose to have more God
will get me there....
@eljayo (1105)
• Philippines
27 Jan 12
Hi! You are definitely right. Its a sad reality. People would rather spend time improving or gaining material things rather than be true to themselves. Teenagers would rather date play games rather than spend quality time with their family or chat with their parents. Bad influences are everywhere. Its heartbreaking but really true and sometimes I am guilty of this.I hope people will invest more on things that are more important than money and material.:))Materials and money cannot save your soul.
