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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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 Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:08 am Post subject: |
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| Why not? They have a hard time understanding that an extra four inches (of plasma screen tv) won't actually make you happier? That it doesn't help with personal growth? That keeping up with the Liangs isn't fulfilling? |
If this is the thinking of the Chinese as well, then we have another example of how the things that people are trying to escape from are also pertinent in other countries. The only difference may be that we don't realize these social pressures since we are outsiders.
I can definitely see the same money hungry people in Korea. My friend does not make much money but runs out to buy the newest video games and cell phones. He must keep up with the Kim's and the Lee's. |
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gregoryfromcali
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
Location: People's Republic of Shanghai
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:28 am Post subject: |
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| I don't enjoy the politics of life here, the narrow mindedness, the awful food choices, the competition to see who can make the most money--and you are a failure if you don't make oodles of money, the high cost of living!!! |
It's funny. When I'm outside the States I think of the States in the same way.
Yet when I'm in the States and around my family and friends I don't run into any of those things.
It sounds like it's time to find a better class of friends. |
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Sherri
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 749
Location: The Big Island, Hawaii
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:32 am Post subject: |
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| Teacher_Traveler wrote: |
| I don't enjoy the politics of life here, the narrow mindedness, the awful food choices, the competition to see who can make the most money--and you are a failure if you don't make oodles of money, the high cost of living!!! (NYC), the rude and disrespectful kids....grrr.... |
These are the same things that my husband says about life in the US vs life in Japan (for him--since he is Japanese, just substitute Tokyo for NYC)! He feels very light-hearted here without all the social constraints he has to be aware of when in Japan.
Sherri |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:45 am Post subject: |
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These are the same things that my husband says about life in the US vs life in Japan (for him--since he is Japanese, just substitute Tokyo for NYC)! He feels very light-hearted here without all the social constraints he has to be aware of when in Japan.
Sherri |
This thread has developed quite nicely. I am sure that most of us are allured by the foreign culture but it is interesting to see that the liberation and inspiration we gain while abroad may have little to do with the country we go to but as a result of being an outsider and having less social pressures.
I am guessing that people all over the world face the same pressures. It does not matter whether one is from the richest country in the world or the poorest. |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:12 am Post subject: |
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. . . it is interesting to see that the liberation and inspiration we gain while abroad may have little to do with the country we go to but as a result of being an outsider and having less social pressures.
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I think that is very true. I often chat with people about not feeling the pressure to have the latest SUV, a bigger house in a nicer neighborhood, the lastest computer or IPOD or whatever. No one here cares if you drive a scooter, walk, or drive the latest SUV - if your home is modest or huge. Even better - I don't care! |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:31 am Post subject: |
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Tedkarma wrote:
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| No one here cares if you drive a scooter, walk, or drive the latest SUV - if your home is modest or huge. |
Tedkarma, are you talking about Thais or other ex-pats? I am sure that you can find Thais who want a nicer car and a bigger house. |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:54 am Post subject: |
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I am talking about my circle of friends - Thais - and expats. I wouldn't claim it to representative.
And, I think the point is my attitude - not theirs.
You are right - there certainly are Thais - and expats who would care. But, as mentioned by the poster that I was commenting on, there is the freedom for ME to not recognize or deal with the pressure for material or economic gains - or status-gaining goodies. ( I DO pay attention to my financial circumstances - but from my own frame of reference - not that of others).
Real or not - perception is pretty much everything, no? |
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White_Elephant
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 175
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:09 am Post subject: |
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| JZer wrote: |
Tedkarma wrote:
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| No one here cares if you drive a scooter, walk, or drive the latest SUV - if your home is modest or huge. |
Tedkarma, are you talking about Thais or other ex-pats? I am sure that you can find Thais who want a nicer car and a bigger house. |
You did not understand his point. Of course there are Thais who would like to have nicer things but it isn't because they are pretentious. Most of the Thai people are not overly impressed with material things. Case in point: I drove around with many Thai people who see expensive sports cars and new mansions just built - to most of them it's interesting for about ten seconds. The subject suddenly turns to what we are going to have for dinner or where to go. I personally have not met any Thais who turn green with envy. Perhaps they are out there, but not to the extent of many other cultures I've been exposed to and there are many. A pretentious, envious person would not last long in Thailand. Such a person might be proud of paying a high price while Thais would see you as being foolish. No matter what you pay, you always paid too much. LOL |
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gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:34 am Post subject: |
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I find living overseas a double-edged sword. Sometimes it is freeing, though worries are somewhat the same as at home; future security, buying a home, etc.
I find it is more my wife who worries about such things than I do. I would just like a more fulfilling job than the one I have now (uni teaching in Japan)  . But at the moment, it pays the bills  . |
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gregoryfromcali
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
Location: People's Republic of Shanghai
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:45 am Post subject: |
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| Case in point: I drove around with many Thai people who see expensive sports cars and new mansions just built - to most of them it's interesting for about ten seconds. |
That's also true with the Americans I know in the States.
But whatever... |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:48 am Post subject: |
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| You are right - there certainly are Thais - and expats who would care. But, as mentioned by the poster that I was commenting on, there is the freedom for ME to not recognize or deal with the pressure for material or economic gains - or status-gaining goodies. ( I DO pay attention to my financial circumstances - but from my own frame of reference - not that of others). |
Tekarma, you were quoting me  ! Of course one may ask why you can't find the same freedom at home if all that real matters is your own frame of mind????
I am not pretending to have the answers. I am just asking the questions. |
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White_Elephant
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 175
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:56 am Post subject: |
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| gregoryfromcali wrote: |
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| Case in point: I drove around with many Thai people who see expensive sports cars and new mansions just built - to most of them it's interesting for about ten seconds. |
That's also true with the Americans I know in the States.
But whatever... |
Oh you must be talking about the average spoiled rich brat whose grown up his/her whole life in places like Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Hills or Scottsdale. The average middle-class American, however, will turn heads when seeing the newest Lamborghini Diablo roll by. This is a reason why many Americans purchase such luxuries. These toys get old fast so it's always nice to see the faces of people who are amazed, envious, intrigued. The owner loves the attention bestowed upon him/her. Everyone wants to be your best friend.
When the new mansion that's taken almost five years to build is finally complete and the new residents move in, most Americans TALK. Why shouldn't they? It's complete with a bowling alley, movie theater, Olympic size swimming pool, servant�s quarters that are larger than their neighbor's homes and a parking lot for fifty guests. Who is moving in there?
You could have all these things in Thailand and then some. The difference is that the people may not want to talk with you in Thailand once you get them. People might even avoid you. You wont get the same attention as you would back in America or other places around the world. |
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Sherri
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 749
Location: The Big Island, Hawaii
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:29 am Post subject: |
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| White_Elephant wrote: |
You could have all these things in Thailand and then some. The difference is that the people may not want to talk with you in Thailand once you get them. People might even avoid you. You wont get the same attention as you would back in America or other places around the world. |
I can't pretend to understand the above... why would people (in Thailand) avoid you if you lived in a nice house?
There are people in the US and people in any given country in the world who care a great deal about possessions and there are those who do not. I am sure Thailand has its fair share of possessive, greedy people.
You just can't generalize so much about what the "average middle-class American" will do. It may be true in your experience but it is not true in mine. In fact I think that people where I live now (rural US) care much less about appearance and possessions than people in the various places I have lived outside the US (generally urban areas).
I spent more than half my life outside the US and almost all of my adult life. It is great, the sense of freedom, living the way you like. You can meet like-minded people more easily. But I have found that once you start to really get into the life of your host country, speak the language, have your kids in the school system, you start to notice all the things that irritated you about your home country. Those first 5 or 6 years in a new country are like a honeymoon.
Sherri |
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gregoryfromcali
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
Location: People's Republic of Shanghai
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:39 am Post subject: |
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| Oh you must be talking about the average spoiled rich brat whose grown up his/her whole life in places like Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Hills or Scottsdale. |
No I'm talkin about quality people who...
who cares!
So what is there are Americans who are obsessed with money.
If that bothers or offends you then don't invite them over for pizza.
Last edited by gregoryfromcali on Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:59 am Post subject: |
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I spent more than half my life outside the US and almost all of my adult life. It is great, the sense of freedom, living the way you like. You can meet like-minded people more easily. But I have found that once you start to really get into the life of your host country, speak the language, have your kids in the school system, you start to notice all the things that irritated you about your home country. Those first 5 or 6 years in a new country are like a honeymoon.
Sherri |
It is like being a child again. You are ignorant of many realities and don't understand the difficulties of life. Of course this is probably only true of rich and middle class children. I don't have much personal experience but I would guess that poor children learn the hardships of life a lot quicker. |
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