Why are some people so materialistic?
By mzbubblie
@mzbubblie (3839)
United States
January 16, 2007 6:28pm CST
I swear I have tried to figure this one out and have no luck. Maybe you can help me. I was brought up to work for what you want and appreciate what you get. However, I have seen so many people even some of my very friends who have to have this and have to have that. Oh, he/she has money, I got to keep them, or wonder what fancy restaurant they going to take them to.
One of my girlfriends was dating this guy and everytime her birthday came around she HAD to have certain things and specific with it and if she didn't get it she would get soo upset. I would always tell her be thankful for what you get and it's the thought that counts. She looked at me like i was dumb...lol...But, I just don't understand why it's got to be about money or what can you do for me, or what you got. WHY? As to my friend, her boyfriend left her because he got tired of her spoiled ways...lol GOOD for him, he took one wild ride with her that's for sure..At least he's a much happier man...
16 people like this
86 responses
@shiboleth (270)
• Canada
17 Jan 07
People forget what is truly important in life. They think they can be decadent and think only of themselves and their own pleasure. But pleasure does not last, and so they need more and more to satisfy themselves.
They do not understand that real joy comes from being right with God.
1 person likes this
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I couldn't agree more....It's almost like its temporary fix for them. Cause I know some people won't take that...
@royvarghese88 (26)
• India
17 Jan 07
every body in this world need some money to live. some give much importance to money and avoid other peoplee which is living with them.so they become materialistic. that is not their problem. that is this world make them materialistic
1 person likes this
@icequeen (2840)
• Canada
17 Jan 07
I knew a girl like that...and her boyfriend was the same. She has to have everything brand name. She had the latest of everything..and had to have designer clothes..shoes..etc. I think it is because they need to try and impress people because they aren't nice people. That is how she turned out to be...she was actually cheating on her boyfriend behind his back..and I seen her true colors. Eventually...those two broke up...which is the best thing that could happen...
1 person likes this
@Sawsen (793)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I think it depends on how you were raised. I'm not really a materialistic person. I don't wear brand name clothes, and I rarely care for expensive things. I think if you're too busy comparing what you have with what others have, then you're going to lose yourself in the struggle.
@bitchesbowdown (17)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
There are just some people who are not contented with what they have. It's most probably how they were brought. I know of a girl who acts the same way your friend do and believe me, it's really irritating when she starts talking about her past relationships. Sometimes, these kind of people need to learn the hard way - money isn't everything...
@banta78 (4326)
• India
17 Jan 07
My motto in life is simple living, high thinking. I fully agree with you. I and my family have always led a simple life and i am proud of it. I feel if one has right moral upbringing, has good values, respects traditions and customs, is spritualy inclined then one works hard n life and enjoys ther process, journey of life and what it brings rather than crib about the results or feel jealous of others wealth. I really feel happy being myself because that is the way i am. I am thankful to god for what he has given me and feel blessed that way since there are many who don't have food to eat, roof on their head.
I feel one shouldn't be spoilt like your girlfriend as i feel sorry for them as they don't know what they are missing out in life. Though happy for her boyfriend as he surely might be a happy man though.
@raenie (705)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
I think that this can be due to several factors--either they were exposed to always get what they want from childhood or they were deprived of it. If it's the former, then they probably tend to be spoiled or if it's the latter, then being materialistic maybe something sort of as a status symbol for them, so every chance that they can get material stuff, they grab it.
Also for some, I guess it could also be that for their point of view, success can only be measured by the tangible things...
As for your girlfirend, hopefully she realizes that there's definitely more in life than material things & as for her ex--I agree with you--great for him!
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
Yes I believe it does stem from childhood, she is a handful. I believe in the saying Money makes the world go round!!! I see it everyday...and alot really forgot the true meaning a appreciation versus wants? thank you for responding
@MissGia (955)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I think alot of it has to do with how you were brought up. I've noticed that most materialistic people were brought up in rich homes.. they got whatever they wanted from mommy and daddy. When they grow up, they go around still wanting what they want.
Like me, im not rich..never have been. I've always been between Poor and upper middle class...i am not materialistic..i dont expect to get anything on my birthday, christmas and so forth..and if i do get something i take it, appreciate it and smile.
I feel sorry for materialistic people, because deep down..no matter how much money they have or stuff they have they are never truly happy.
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
17 Jan 07
I do agree with you that upbringing has much to do with our philosophies. It is not always a case of rich parents: demanding kids and poor parents: satisfied kids, but it does seem to be that way very often. Poorer people have a better appreciation of the more important qualities.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
She actually was not brought up in a rich family, however, my thought is her parents spoiled her so she kept that as she gotten older. I just don't understand how one can't seem to use their common sense when recieving something from someone. The thought is what counts is what is the way I was brought up, thank you for responding...
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
And those people tend to loose out at the end..It eventually catches up to them just as my friend...thank you for responding
@dangerdvd (320)
• Italy
17 Jan 07
because people are so interesting to they, and don't see every other of their! the materialism is a very problem of the new age! in the back time, a lot of young think that the life is only a mode to realize the plasure.. luckly, there are people that don't think in this mode!
@jfglassworks (128)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I am amazed by the amount of power that people give objects. These are things that have no life to them, that they must have, must own, must be in control of. There are so many people on this planet that are only focused on the physical items that surround them.
To me it seems like it is the easy way to live thier life. If they were to actually do what we should all be doing, which is working on ourselves and becoming the most perfect expression of our true selves that we can, they would not focus on the physical items around them so much.
But that is what is nice about being human, we have the free will to NOT be that way.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
You could've said it any better. People get so wrapped up in what the next person can do for them that they tend to be lazy and not work hard for what they want. Instead wait for a special day and look for their partner to get it. thank you for responding...
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
17 Jan 07
As for your friend's boyfriend, i don't blame him for leaving her. i can't understand the way that she acted towards him at all. For me, love is the most beautiful thing in the world. I would just be so happy to have a loving boyfriend that I could care less if he couldnt' afford to buy me anything at all. I certainly would not get upset if he didn't buy me some exact thing that I wanted.
I am probably more materialistic than I should be, though. I am sort of used to getting what I want because my parents kind of spoiled me *laugh* But I don't think that material things are more important than family or than love.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
You could've said it any better. I think with your parents there will always be some degree of being spoiled...But when it comes to someone who wants to be with you..don't use them...
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I agree with you shywolf, and also with Bubblie, that you should never use people. That is the worst thing to do. And if you cannot get it for yourself it is not right to expect others to get it for you. However, just because you can get everything for yourself does not mean that you should...there are people in this world that need the support of others, just to survive.
@darkblade (123)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
Well I guess it's their sense of having or showing to the world their stature in society. The more you have, the more people will look up to you. It makes them feel different from the ones who cannot afford such things that they can and they feel good about it when people talk about them. I for one don't go for the material things, I always offer what I can do without the use of money. People tend to easily forget when you give them something material, help them and they would never forget you.
1 person likes this
@eallan (12)
•
17 Jan 07
I agree with you on that one.Money is not everything although ,money does make the world go round...
Personally I think as long as you have enough to cover your needs you should be condent in life.
Always look for someone that doesnt measure up people according to their wallets.
Most people like to have good things in life,but how far are you prepaed to go to get them..that`s what seperates good people from bad.
Learn to live with a little ,you can then appreciate the lot if you do get it.
1 person likes this
@nolimits (28)
• United States
17 Jan 07
Many people become materialistic because they see the attention and power one commands from society because of their material possessions. Therefore, one wants to be as much like the person that commands the power and respect of society, as they possibly can so they try to by gaining the same materials that this person has. It takes a few turns for him to receive a little attention for his materials and its all down hill from there.
@chimex4real2k2 (1853)
• Nigeria
17 Jan 07
People are materialistic because they have no concept of themselves. If they truly had self-esteem and believed in themselves, they would realize that it didn't matter if you Wal-Mart jeans on or Abercrombie jeans, and if you wore no make up at all or looked all dolled up every day. People that are materialistic because they don't know who they are.
Some people do not have the intellectual capacity to conduct an independent analysis of the societal programming they have received. Big corporations use psychological weapons to convince people that they should buy their products even though people don't really need them.
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
17 Jan 07
We live in a material world these days where now just about everyone is judging others by what they have (money, cars, homes, etc etc) more than what we see in the person. If you aren't able to give these people a certain amount of stuff than it is likely they will eventually stop being your friend (been there, done that and would rather stay friendless, if people perfer just to use me).
And yes people these days are very spoiled, I think that's because most have not known what it is like not to have everything within easy reach of possessing. Some will have to lose everything to understand that material things could ever make them truely happy. I just thank the stars above that my Mom taught me right and don't have to depend on these things to make me happy with life.
@infobyaj36 (907)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I have never understood the materialistic person myself. I have a sister who is not so much materialistic in the fact that she has to have stuff but in a way in which she has to have money in all her accounts, in her home safe, I am sure even under the matteress. And if anyone owes her even the smallest sum of money it makes her crazy until she gets it. I will never understand plp like this because I on the other hand am quite the opposite I prefer to give than receive I love seeing others happy and if that means sharing my last 5 bucks I will do it. I will never be rich that way but it does not take money to make you happy.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
You know that is so true...It's times now I wish I had money to buy things, but overall I have my happiness and that by far the best feeling in the world....
@lifeiseasy (2292)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I can't figure that out either ,I am very happy with what I have, as for the boyfriend poor guy but glad he finally figured her out ,hpefully she will come down to earth soon.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
17 Jan 07
I think she met her match now...lol He is not putting up with her ways. I'm happy to, she need a lesson taught, cause she never listened to me...
