Why are British people so obsessed with property and material possessions?

Answer 1

I would answer this question but unfotunately I'm taking my Range Rover HSE to the detailers to have pomeranian **** removed from the tan leather rear seats, then I have to take my child to his extremely expensive school and get back to my 6,500 square foot, 5 bedroom, 5 bath, 4 car garage home in River Oaks and flegellate my maid (Juanita) until she learns not to leave handprints on the stainless steel appliances. (I told my husband we should have got a phillipino, they are SO accomodating) I simply don't have time to addreess your petty concerns at this juncture and besides, my palm pilot's battery is running low. Perhaps I'll buy a new one with my Amex black on the way home...

Answer 2

I hope you mean 'some British people'? When I was growing up, our family would buy nothing unless the money was available. Once hire purchase took hold, it became easier to buy consumer goods and so the next generation took it for granted that HP was okay. Then, credit cards took over and you know the rest. Given that, for the UK, bricks and mortar are better options than a pension, it seems, most of us try to own our own home so that, come retirement age, we've a large house (hopefully) which can be downsized and the cash used either to buy a smaller house and live on the rest or to go and live in France at half the price for twice the pleasure - anything to get away from this ghastly government and the thoughts of a certain Mr. Charisma taking residence in No.10.

Answer 3

It's not just the brits, it's all of the western consumer society. People worship money and the more they have the better they think people will think of them.
Of course this is wrong. Some people who are stinking rich are a$$holes, whereas some people with very little are the nicest people on earth. Winners of the lotto have been heard to say they wish they had never won it. This is proof that money is not the road to happiness. That can only come from within.

Answer 4

For the same reason as the majority of Americans--there's no one home. In other words, material possessions are all they've got--no spirituality, no close emotional relationships, no deeper meaning to life.There's a big old hole in human hearts, and if you don't fill it with spiritual concerns, you'll find some other way to fill it up.

Answer 5

I didn't realise we were. We have a strong work ethic and we feel we deserve that which we have worked hard for. We are an eccentric people and like to collect stuff, sometimes downright odd ball stuff. I used to collect cow bells for instance, I still have a string of them. But what we value above all else is freedom and the right of the individual to live their own life.

Answer 6

That is only true to a certain extent. The British are amateurs at it as far as the American people are concerned.

Answer 7

Because it's great to own property and have cash in the bank. Better than owning f**l all, wearing sandals and eating natural grains like some losers I know.

Answer 8

i think you mean why is the WESTERN world so obsessed with material possessions and property. its because they have so much money, the easiest way to achieve happiness is through consumerism. other countries who perhaps don't have as much money may search for happiness through other means, though it may be harder to find the happiness compared to someone who might be contented with a big house and nice car. some people are just happy with their health and family etc

Answer 9

Everyone is, at least us Brits are honest about it! Just because you're too superior to admit it doesn't make you better than us!

Answer 10

Are we? First I knew about it, and I've always been British.