Consumerism

Homemade
Ice Cream

SE Asia is a travel bargain. It's one of the reasons I like visiting Thailand and Vietnam so much. Most everything is pretty cheap, even in the big cities. Yesterday, I paid about .60 cents for some home-made coconut ice cream with 3 toppings, including nuts. Most meals, with a drink, cost about $2-$3. I bought a shrimp and fish lunch for 6 students, myself, and a faculty member for less than $50. A foot massage (actually both feet) cost $7 for one hour. I gave her a $7 tip and she almost fainted. Recently, I paid about $27 for a 3-star hotel which included breakfast. You get the idea. It makes one feel rich, even though I am not wealthy. What value are you getting from your money?

Americans tend to buy stuff. Lot's of stuff, in fact. Although money can't buy happiness, that doesn't stop us from trying. There is a bewildering assortment of things to buy, as if that many choices are really needed. We could probably live with less. Many people do. Of course, some selection is good, but too much encourages social stratification. The more choices, the greater the range in quality and price. Rich folks simply buy things that poorer people cannot afford, effectively distancing ourselves from those who are not in our social group. By doing so, it isolates and insulates our relationships. As a result, we feel bad for those who are less fortunate and simply give them some money or stuff. Hence, we value money more than relationships, except for those who are our friends and relatives. Materialism is killing us, and those around us, softly.

Traveling in SE Asia has given me a lot of opportunities to meet various people. None of them are wealthy, but many are happy. Are you happy? They spend money on relationships, not things. Here's a crazy idea. Be a friend to someone outside your social circle. It's okay to give them some money if you also give them some time. Chances are, they need both. The number one desire of internationals in America is to have an American friend. You can give that, but you cannot buy it.