Are Americans obsessed with status in comparison with other nations?

[Reykhel]

It seems all that's heard on the board lately is "high status", "earn more money" "be high value"......that's all well and good, but lets say you earn a great wage, you're on the property ladder, you're doing well in your career, you're developing........

.....You're satisfied and want to enjoy life. Is the advice still...."make more money!!!"............."want want want want want....."

There has to be a limit no? There has to be a point when one finds a nice balance no? When one says "I'm doing alright, I'm happy with maintaining this level. I'm more than fine, all of my needs are being met"

I can almost hear some of the advice...."no you should never be satisfied!" "Keep moving forward and earn more"

Every time we are in a state of constant grasping for more, we are never satisfied, never at peace. We cannot be. Constantly wanting, the present moment becomes irritable. I can almost hear some of the advice ....."good! may you never be comfortable!"

There has to be a balance. A middle ground.

Do you think that America is more obsessed with status than most other nations? Than Europeans? do you think it's healthy?

Different perspectives on money
http://www.financialsamurai.com/how-europeans-see-money-differently-from-americans/

Americans seem to work more hours than any other nation....
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-18/americans-work-25-more-than-europeans-study-finds
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=93364
https://www.theguardian.com/sustain...america-working-hours-minimum-wage-overworked

 

[ImTheDoubleGreatest!]

It's only 3 people on this board who say that. The whole thing about money is that it is something you can constantly be progressing with. If I recall correctly, Pook once said that you should always be progressing and never stagnant, even if you are already great. I think because he meant that if you become complacent in this aspect, you will become complacent in other aspects as well. Plus, women are more attracted to a man who started off low but is moving up at a very fast rate compared to a man who started off really high and barely made any progress at all or just stayed there. It shows your resilience to adversity I suppose.

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

There has to be a limit no?

No, there doesn't "have to" be a limit.

Generally speaking, humans are biologically and genetically programmed to ALWAYS be unsatisfied. Even just sitting in your seat you'll need to shift.

If it were possible for humans to "be satisfied" then nobody would have ever invented anything, and we'd still be chasing our food.

The whole idea of wishing we could "be satisfied" can only stem from two mindsets.

1) I've got tons of money and I don't want anybody else to have tons of money so I sell the idea that people should "be satisfied."

2) I don't have very much money and I'm not sure if I can get a lot of money, so I complain that people should just "be satisfied' so I don't feel so bad by comparison.

Yeah, yeah, I know, money doesn't buy happiness, etc....

Whatever. If anybody could GET more money in a way that was EASY and SAFE, NOBODY would turn it down.

 

[TheMonkeyKing]

Like everything else, it can matter in some situations and not in others.

Would certainly say it matters much less (than people give it credit) compared to other more tangible factors like personality, looks, money, physique etc. You can hold very high status and have people not understand that status, becuase it usually pertains to occupation. Also 'status' is a warped variable these days because someone with 10000 social media followers, for whatever banal reason, is considered high status.

Take a guy like Kanye as a perfect example. In the general popularity stakes, he is considered high status, concurrently. In his chosen profession, in the world of rap music, however, through the history of time, he is a relative nobody. Noone who really appreciates rap music really appreciates most of his material.

It's very relative; you can have high status, idolised in the eyes of a million blue pill, blindsided proles, or you can be a solid, stalwart member of a 10 person social circle of other solid stalwarts. The question to ask is which would you prefer.

 

[Reykhel]

@taiyuu_otoko

I don't agree with your assessment at all. I'm openminded enough to see that we live in a world with a lot of different cultures, religions,
value systems and people simply have different priorities. For example....In Europe the focus is more on working less and enjoying
your life and your free time. Yes there's certain countries where there is an obsession with owning a second house or apartment by
the beach (which is very doable once you're earning a half decent wage). People want to get out of the office and spend time with their families at their beach houses. There is also a terrace/cafe scene in Europe and people are outside a lot. It's not that people do not want to earn more money but the emphasis is definitely more on having free time in order to be able to spend your cash and enjoy it......

I don't buy into your little double bind synopsis that it must be either A or B. It's rather short sighted. You're view of the world seems
to be very black and white and narrow. I don't believe you can read the mind of the whole human race.

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

I don't believe you can read the mind of the whole human race.

The human race has been around for a long time.

Being able to choose leisure is not very common. It's only possible under certain circumstances. You can only choose to enjoy free time because somebody had the relentless drive to invent time saving technology.

And all those lucky people who are "enjoying leisure" or who have the luxury of being able to "choose leisure" still need to eat and use electricity and plumbing.

If all people valued leisure over material wealth, nothing would ever have been invented.

If YOU YOURSELF want to choose leisure, that's fine.

Others do as well, and others tend to be driven. There is no "better way" there is only the individual and that individuals choices.

Granted, the vast majority would rather lounge around and enjoy free time, but they can only do so in part because some people are driven enough to continually invent better and better technology.

But the fact remains that women are BIOLOGICALLY DRIVEN to be attracted to driven, high status males, not men of leisure.

If you value leisure, you have to pay for that somehow. You can't escape the laws of economics.

If you want to create a stable life for yourself, that's your business. Don't get upset at those who don't share your values.

 

[Von]

Omg, it turned into a skin color debate?

I would say STATUS (as in social prestige)... is far more vertical in the USA, far more mobile, far more less important.

However, it's a trend that's going downhill (like the middle-class).

What's status? Its your skin color, your wealth, your family name, your blood, your fame, your prestige

America (usa,canada) is named the New world because you could be anyone yet make it... there's à reason the colonials were religious extremist, refuge, prisonner, orphans, exilé, adventurer.... the new world is where you sent the "undesired"

In Europe, in Asia... your blood/family name is much important. Why most rich family are 80% inheritance?

In USA 70% of "rich" are new money compared to asia-europe 80% old money "rich"

In Arab world: your family name, your street adress déterminé your "status". Most arabs I know who came to study here.. said they want à "western degree"attached to their family name cause they know their family name will open door

Africa: its the région / tribe that give you à status

Latin America: probably the mâle business

In Europe, some universities were only accessible to "noble"... no matter your marks if you werent german or french nartive of a certain name too bad.

Science Po Paris accept foreign student only since 2012 (and its the best and oldest uni in Eruope)

Skin color: the darker the skin the "laborer" you were aka paysan, whiter the richer (cause you dont work outside).. In Asia, asian girls try to look white

So life is a Mix of all that. Money express succès and status in western world far more than other places. While in the old world, status/money aint clearly linked

Maybe that's why usa are obsess with celebrities... now we has DJ have to make à succesful Mix of all that attributes but above all remain:

You

 

[Reykhel]

If you value leisure, you have to pay for that somehow. You can't escape the laws of economics.

Mate, I think you've got your wires crossed or something. I'm not talking about choosing one over the other, which is what you're making out. I don't think you're that ignorant that you cannot comprehend that I'm talking about a balance. So I'll assume you're being purposefully disingenuous and malicious.

If you want to create a stable life for yourself, that's your business. Don't get upset at those who don't share your values.

Mate, when anybody tells me "don't get upset" when I'm in no way at all "upset", I know they are either trying to bait me or they themselves have gotten a little upset themselves. Your last sentence is clear projection. I have been simply making an observation. In fact, the observation is not only coming from this website, but from a predicament I'm facing in my own life. A chance to earn extra easy cash, but giving up most of my Saturdays over the very hot summer. Again, from my perspective, it's an observation. I apologize to you sincerely if you've got your knickers in a twist because someone doesn't share your values nor your limited world view. I bid you good day now.

Omg, it turned into a skin color debate?

What the fvck? have I missed where it turned into a skin color debate....

Oh fvck this I'm going to sit out on my balcony (money) and pour myself a nice glass of Rioja (money) and chill (leisure)

 

[El Payaso]

You clearly haven't been to countries like India.

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

I don't think you're that ignorant that you cannot comprehend that I'm talking about a balance. So I'll assume you're being purposefully disingenuous and malicious.

I'm neither malicious nor ignorant. I just disagree with your premise that other people "should" find some kind of "balance."

People do what people do for the reasons that only those people know.

Trying to come up with some general "rules" that you think people "should" live by is pointless.

Some people LIKE being driven, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Some people CAN'T be driven.

And some people would LOVE to reach the nirvanna of "balance" where they can relax when they choose to relax and sip wine (or whatever that alcohol you mentioned is) on the balcony, but they have no choice but to work their arses off just to pay the rent.

Several studies have done and the results are clear. No matter HOW MUCH money somebody has, they always WANT just a little bit more.

You see other people striving for more and you seem to think that's the wrong way to be.

Do you think that America is more obsessed with status than most other nations? Than Europeans? do you think it's healthy?

When you say "America," do you mean the fifty percent of Americans who don't have $400 bucks to their name, who would LOVE to have enough $$$ to take a vacation, but are terrified they'd lose their jobs and have to go on government assistance?

Which specific Americans are you talking about?

The Americans that know that the more "status" they get, the more "enjoyable" life is?

Or do you think the constant drive to improve one's life is "unhealthy?"

Should there be a global council who decides an upper limit on ones wealth?

 

[Reykhel]

You clearly haven't been to countries like India.

Really?.....go on elaborate.

What other countries like India have I not been to I wonder....

 

[El Payaso]

Really?.....go on elaborate.

What other countries like India have I not been to I wonder....

Look up the caste system.

 

[Reykhel]

@taiyuu_otoko ......if you were capable of being honest, a conversation would be possible. However, you continue
with your disingenuous nature........You've put the word SHOULD in inverted commas twice, implying that's what
I have said. I've never said anyone "should" do anything. You are being dishonest. You've also quoted me as coming
up with "rules" that people should live by............sorry pal. That wasn't me. You're dishonest and shady.

I've made some observations and I've asked a question or two. You've twisted that around into me telling people
how they should live their lives......

Now, I don't see you getting this passion when there is actually people on this board telling people what they should or should
not do. Why don't you scream about people having different value systems then.

This board is now awash with some posters writing thread after thread after thread telling other posters the should earn more money. Why are you not interjecting in those threads saying "you shouldn't tell anyone what they should or shouldn't do" . One of my point was YES I AGREE THAT MONEY IS IMPORTANT (got that dummy?) AND I PROMOTE FINANCIAL FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE (got that?) However, there has to come a point where you say "ok, I'v got my financial life sorted and I'm good, now fvck off telling me I need to earn more and more and more and more........."

When is enough? was a simple question that you've managed to twist.

 

[Reykhel]

Look up the caste system.

No, I don't need to. It's not relevant to me. Thanks anyway.

 

[Reykhel]

Like everything else, it can matter in some situations and not in others.

Would certainly say it matters much less (than people give it credit) compared to other more tangible factors like personality, looks, money, physique etc. You can hold very high status and have people not understand that status, becuase it usually pertains to occupation. Also 'status' is a warped variable these days because someone with 10000 social media followers, for whatever banal reason, is considered high status.

Take a guy like Kanye as a perfect example. In the general popularity stakes, he is considered high status, concurrently. In his chosen profession, in the world of rap music, however, through the history of time, he is a relative nobody. Noone who really appreciates rap music really appreciates most of his material.

It's very relative; you can have high status, idolised in the eyes of a million blue pill, blindsided proles, or you can be a solid, stalwart member of a 10 person social circle of other solid stalwarts. The question to ask is which would you prefer.

Rational, intelligent and logical answer.

Not sure why some of them get so touchy and emotional. They must identify too much with their perceived notion of high value, thus
they feel that their core identity is being threatened.

I believe you hit the nail on the head. Status is a relative factor. Someone that may be considered high value by some or more comedically considered high status by himself, are not worth ****e to others. It's interesting that the emotional nerd accuses me of not letting other people have different values, when that's the very thing that I'm advocating!!!!

That people have different value systems in life. Different priorities. How disingenuous to accuse me of the very opposite.

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

if you were capable of being honest

I'm not honest....

your disingenuous nature

my nature is disingenuous

You're dishonest and shady.

I'm dishonest and shady.

However, there has to come a point where you say "ok, I'v got my financial life sorted and I'm good, now fvck off telling me I need to earn more and more and more and more........."

Has to? According to whom? Is your post replying to somebody in particular telling YOU personally you HAD TO make more money? Your post didn't sound like, "I don't know about you guys, but I have enough money for me, you guys can do whatever you want" but you didn't. You questioned the HEALTH of AMERICA's behavior.

Do you think that America is more obsessed with status than most other nations? Than Europeans? do you think it's healthy?

got that dummy?

I'm a dummy...

When is enough? was a simple question that you've managed to twist.

Simple question and a simple answer from a dummy:

It's when the person who is making the decision to make more money decides it's enough.

Why in the world would you think the answer was anything other than that? (that's the sentence above this one in case you're confused)

 

[Milano]

Everyone`s obsessed with status because of social media and how it supports female value. A coople of clicks and you can see how many friends, how many likes etc. any person has. If you for some reason didnt care about social media and want to join a social circle to game women, I would contemplate the idea of deleting the 2 status *****s in Fakebook and IG.

When you meet a woman, she will add you on FB and screen HARD for any kind of status you might or might not have, if you are not higher status there, you are already turning her off. Women have directly told me this, they stalk guys on FB when they meet them. Ofc not everyones exactly the same but since we are on the subject of status.

Point is, either decide to somehow become a lot more popular and have great pictures, meaning you have to infiltrate a lot of new social groups (goot luck! depending A LOT on age and location ofc) or delete FB and IG who will give you away, at least postpone a FB invite from a woman saying "You only add people you know" sounding like you are higher value and her curiousity might increase. I regret not doing this earlier.

Being from Europe knowing at least one guy working in Texas atm, I hear that earning money is more of an obsession in your country than perhaps parts of Europe. I hear Americans are more obsessed with finding new ways of earning money all the time, which really isnt our mindset here in Norway, but it is a small country and most people have a solid average income so we are more lazy overall, because of our oil and all.

Anyway, this is details-talk, the same principals will work pretty much anywhere and we know it.

 

[Reykhel]

You questioned the HEALTH of AMERICA's behavior.

Now we've got to the reason as to why this one has got so triggered.

.....because nobody should do that right pal. I see where those "shoulds" magically
appeared from now.

I'm done mate. You are a fvcking bore.

 

[ImTheDoubleGreatest!]

You clearly haven't been to countries like India.

Poor countries are different, and they actually PERFECTLY represent the people who talk about money all the time. Elliot Hulse talked about it actually. When you are that poor, it's more about not wanting to die rather than wanting to be great. People tend to run AWAY from something (hunger, thirst, sickness, etc.) harder rather than they would run TOWARDS something (greatness, fame, etc.)

The people who claim wealth to be the end game do so because they are running away from the insecurities of having to face the issues they have had since they were kids. It is the equivalent of a woman playing the victim during a breakup because she doesn't want to admit to herself that she was the one who fvcked it up since she does not have the mental strength to handle that concept. It would destroy her. Well the same goes for those guys on here who worship money.

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

Now we've got to the reason as to why this one has got so triggered.

Let me rephrase that so you don't get confused.

(I know it's easy to stomp your feet and take your ball and go home...)

You questioned the behavior of an entire group of people.

I don't care of that group is "America" or a metaphorical group of aliens on planet booboo.

Why do YOU get to question the behavior of other people, rather than let THEM decide which behavior is appropriate for them?