That terrible greed
More is better. Bigger is better. Richer is better. The ingredients of the culture of greed are clearly present in Canada.
But... isn't that the case everywhere? The endless struggle to enrich oneself and have more than someone else, you find it in almost all countries on earth.
Still, sometimes it seems like greed in Canada is a little worse than you might be used to. Perhaps this is because greed is seen by many as a positive trait. That will get you further in life. You're just a fool if you're not driven by greed.
A big house, a cool car, all the toys you can think of.
Buy, buy, buy.
Take a look at a Canadian's garage. There are often different cars there, usually even very large ones such as a pick-up truck, preferably with many expensive accessories on them.
What you will also see is a whole collection of devices, appliances and tools; a good consumer always wants more and more of it.
It's the same indoors. Not only is it an extra large house on an extra large piece of land, the house is packed with stuff. Lots of kitchen equipment, for example, TVs everywhere, all kinds of furniture and clothing.
Collecting goods is very important to many. People like to brag about it to others.
You soon notice that people are nicer to you when it looks like you have a lot of money. It will also soon become apparent that they will quickly drop you again if you are poor. Could there be some form of greed behind that?
Buying many things is made possible by the credit industry. It's easy to get a lot of credit so you can buy a lot more.
People like to poke each other's eyes out with gadgets. You want that too, so you have to buy it.
Many proudly trumpet how cheap or expensive they purchased something.
The system of advertisements, offers, bargains and sales has been extensively developed so that you always want to get more.
Have an awful lot
It is difficult to measure the level of greed of the people. And yet many new immigrants find Canada's culture of greed repugnant. Does that really have to be the case?
It's easy to get involved in the greed game. Is it worse in Canada than in other countries? Because greed is considered so normal and is also glorified, it could well be that Canada scores high internationally in this area.
Of course you can decide not to participate, but many find that difficult. Because then you belong a lot less.