materialistic people

[Persimmonn]

AIBU to think most people in the world these days are materialistic? I feel like everything is a competition and comparison to the next person. There aren’t many genuine people left in the world.

Haven't RTFT but IMO if you can afford to choose how to spend your money and time, and have enough space to live in peace, then you're wealthy beyond measure

I like to have nice things, but quite happy to get a bargain at the same time. Our couch cost £50, and I love it. There were others though that were cheaper but I didn't like the look of so didn't buy.

Same as my car. My car was a steal, but I could have easily gotten a cheaper one. But it would have been ugly to me, so why spend thousands on something I hate looking at? I won't buy something if I hate it, no point in that. If that means I pay more, then I pay more. But I don't want crap stuff, something I know is bad quality, or I know will break. I do a lot of research before buying a phone or laptop for example to get the best deal. Same with cars.

People will probably find me shallow for that, but my stuff lasts a long time. And I'm happy with it. Don't care if others like it either.

I refuse to buy any apple product because the security is a joke and it's just useless to me. Plus I think the style of the apps is child like. But others love them and are happy to spend on them. Let them, it's their choice. Their money. I buy what I like, you buy what you like. Don't do it to keep someone else happy, you'll never succeed.

I think it's the attitude that counts...if you want to spend money on a porche, massive house and designer labels then fine.
If you look down on me for shopping at lidl, having a crap car and wearing charity shop gear then you are a materialiatic arse.
Im just as judgemental...i went to private school where massive displays of wealth were the norm...think Rolls Royce and helicopters. I now see that lifestyle as a bit tacky......new money!!! ( joking...i am definetely not from old money!) It put me off wealth ....unfortunately!

Materialistic even...

bluntness I actually said there aren’t many genuine people left. Not any.

I’m sure there’s rich people who don’t look down their nose at people, and don’t flaunt their belongings like on this thread. I’ve yet to meet any though.

OP why does it annoy you when people tell you about the things they have got? People show and tell me what they have bought, I take a intrest then the conversation moves on.
I feel you are either a bit jealous or you lack confidence in yourself , as things that you have said honestly would not bother me. Why waste time worrying and thinking about things like that, it makes you sound resentful.

If people are genuinely happy then I don't care whether they're uber-materialistic or not. Me, I can't get excited about cars, clothes, holidays etc. But I will spend money on books and can seriously excited standing in front of a bookcase. Sit me in the garden on a sunny day with a good book and I'm happy as some bloke called Larry who was presumably well-known for his cheery nature. Each to their own. Happiness, real happiness, is worth hanging onto. And if you can achieve it without hurting others then go for it.

I like nice things as they bring me joy and am blessed to be in a position I can enjoy them. Do I need them to be happy? Of course not but if I can aford them I see no harm in surrounding myself in pretty things here and there that bring me joy. I don't post about them on instagram because my home living with the man I love is just not pretty enough to suit my aesthetics and I am ok with that. I like to buy makeup, and if I find clothes I like I will buy them even though I still have perfectly good tops at home. I am drawn to anything pink that glitters like a magpie and if I have the money and space for it yes chances are I will buy it. Not to show off on instagram or facebook but because I personally like that item.

Anyone that knows me will still say that I am one of the most genuine people they know. I know I don't have a god given right to all these things and I know I am lucky to have them but I fail to see the sense in the whole if one person can't have anything nice no one can attitude

I've worked with a very materialistic person. I gave her a wide birth. It wasn't just so much the constant talk of high value, designer goods, cars, holidays etc. It was the fact that she couldn't talk about anything else. So people were discussing the "big" issues of the day in the office, and she had no opinion or knowledge of it. She had no understanding in why the rest of us didn't covet what she did, like we had failed in some way. In essence she was a well dressed personality vacuum. And an unpopular one at that. I base my opinions on materialistic people a bit on my experience with her. I assume we will have nothing in common and stay away. I might be proven wrong in future, but this is how it is for now.

I’m sure there’s rich people who don’t look down their nose at people, and don’t flaunt their belongings like on this thread

Op can you give examples of this flaunting and looking down their noses? I think it's prudent to question if this is more about your perception and envy and not about "rich people flaunting their belongings and looking down their nose at you".

@Spudina so I the person had nice things but was not limited to talking about those things and let's say discussed world politics you would have no issue with them? I know of plenty of people that obe might describe as not materialistic but have no intrest in discussing big issues either.

Having nice things does not mean a person is not interested in big events nor does a person not talking about politics mean they are not informed. I keep quite in a social circle if I feel like I would be in the minority as I have no wish to argue with people in public or at all.