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Q: Why the need for pomp, wealth display and ceremony in China?
I was reading in French media how Chinese netizens were quite surprised by our new president, Hollande, who doesn't have 'that much' money (actually, he does, he's quite wealthy), drives in a car that's worth less than 350 000 RMB and used to go to work on bicycle.
I remember also how there was a lot of talk on Locke, the American ambassador in China, for carrying his own bag, etc.
So what I'm wondering is why there is such a need for 'display', and showing how much money you have or how important you are. Is there a historical explanation going back to the old dynasties hundreds of years ago? Why is it so important for people to flaunt wealth and power.
It seems to be leaders in China (and other wealthy, powerful people) would be much more likeable if they didn't do this...
It's just a cultural thing. They just can't stand being at the peon's level, any kind of wealth (Apple products and cars, mostly) makes them a "better person".
Funny thing is, those rich people are usually extremely sad and lonely.
If they earned the right to drive around in a fancy car and live luxuriously then what's the point. No need making a big scene out of it, afterall it is their life and not yours to judge. Worry about yourself and you'll feel much better!
nevermind:
Most of them don't earn the right. And her question was why is wealth worshipped so much here.
I think it's true when others say that those with new money (nouveau riche) tend to show it off. The thing is that in many other countries, they've already had money for a long time (even if they're not rich themselves). You'll see this kind of thing in the cities back where I live. The kind of people who buy expensive shoes, nice purses, get their nails done and their hair did, but have no real fashion sense and aren't classy at all. Those kind of people will brag about how much things they have cost, even claiming they cost more than they really did. I know someone who does this. To them image is very important, even if nobody else cares or it just pisses most people off. Now take that to an extreme, and that's China, a whole country trying to change and tell themselves they aren't poor when it's staring them in the face, so they have to try extra hard. If only they'd realize that the rest of the world doesn't care how rich they are.
Welcome of the moral vacuum at the heart of unbridled capitalism without social conscience. It just stands out more in China as the changes have been over decades and not centuries.
How dare you criticise them? Their culture is FIVE THOUSAND years old.
bill8899:
LMAO
Of course they did. You don't know China. I thought everyone knew that. Apple stole the idea from China.
