Culture Shock (Topic #1)

Recently, I was discussing with a friend of mine (who is originally from France, and I met in NYC) the difference in social-economic attitudes between different cultures. Having never been to Europe myself, I found it interesting to hear the opposite mentality that people had when it came to presenting their economic status in France and  the mentality Americans hold. Here in the U.S. social status is of great importance to people, for people here money symbolizes success, power, independence and sometimes even happiness. Even more disturbing, sometimes if people do not posses a higher status economically they will present themselves in a manner that gives the impression that they are "well off" just so that in the social eye they can make that impression of "dominance". In contrast, for people in France, to be economically successful is negatively associated with bourgeois, snobby attitudes, and lack of general motivation for the well being of society. Where as people in the U.S. would flaunt their monetary success, people in France would try to hide all signs of high economic status, because otherwise would be socially taboo. So why such a difference in mentality? Is one better than the other, or are both just opposite sides of the spectrum and the optimal position would be somewhere in the middle?

I'm curious about other opinions on this topic, so please feel free to leave comments and join the discussion.

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Hello fellow rhymer!

The name's JC and my opinion is what you have come to see, so now let me tell you just a little about me. I aim to please and I do it with ease, because whenever you check out my blog your computer freeze....just kidding. 

I am a marketing major at Baruch with a minor in psychology. I just currently turned 21, and when I'm not taking classes full time I work at a networking and data communications firm in New Jersey. I am relatively new to this game (this being my first blog) so I hope you enjoy, and feel free to drop me a line anytime!