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> Sowiet Union states (Russia et al) and large parts of Latin America don't progress as much simply because male financial success isn't tied as much to better
by badpun 9y ago
> Sowiet Union states (Russia et al) and large parts of Latin America don't progress as much simply because male financial success isn't tied as much to better dating options. At least to me as a traveler it seems that many men in those countries have a wide choice of attractive girls, regardless of how well they are off.
I am from an ex-Soviet block country (Poland). I agree that people in here are less obsessed with success and money than the Westernerns. This also translates into dating/marriage choices of women.
Obviously, this is a huge generalization, but I think it can be justified by looking at our history. Over time, so much terrible things happened here that people learned not to create too strong attachments to material things and societial hierarchies (which disappear when you're invaded by another country). It was wiser to try to find joy in family, human connection and simple things that cannot be taken away from you so easily.
- bobthechef 9y agoPoles often say that there is a tendency among Polish have-nots to be jealous of the haves.
- percival_krusen 9y ago...is there anywhere this is not true?
- badpun 9y agoI wouldn't say exactly jealous - I'd say more often it's outrage about how a lot of those rich folks came to money - via crass worker exploitation (SE-Asia style) or stealing millions from the government. A rich person is often perceived as someone who you wouldn't want to hang round, as he/she's likely to be very morally dubious.
- fyfy18 9y agoHere in Lithuania that is true for the majority of people who don’t have money, however those that do and ‘new money’ are much more concerned with material wealth than those from more Western countries IMO. I was working in Rome a few years ago and people there are very practical with cars, they are small and cheap. On the other hand here they are very much status symbols. People like to drive big and powerful German cars - you would never see someone driving a Fiat Cinquecento, even though they are much more appropriate for wages here.
- badpun 9y ago> On the other hand here they are very much status symbols. People like to drive big and powerful German cars - you would never see someone driving a Fiat Cinquecento, even though they are much more appropriate for wages here. Interesting. When I was visiting Malmo (in suposedly egalitarian Sweden) I was shocked about the amount of premium cars (Audis, BMWs etc.) on the streets. Seemed anything but egalitarian to me. I had similar impressions in Germany or the UK. It's interesting why Rome is different.
- fyfy18 9y agoRome may be a bit of a bad example, as although it’s the capital of Italy, it isn’t that wealthy a city. However even on trips to other parts of the country (I was there for over a year) it appeared to be the same situation. There’s definitely an advantage to having a small car in Italy (I had a Prius and it felt too big), but most people had cars that would even feel old here (where most people have 2nd or 3rd hand cars).