Why are some people jealous of those they assume are better off than they are?

1. 56

   Joan Kingposted 10 years ago

   Why are some people jealous of those they assume are better off than they are?
   
   Why are some people jealous of those they assume are better off than they are? They may assume someone has more money, look better than they do, that they have a better job  and have a great love life. Their jealousy is based mainly on assumptions since you can't really know how another person really lives or how they feel about their status in life.
   
   

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2. 84

   misterhollywoodposted 10 years ago

   First, I love the question. Second, the photo is one that I bet all of us can project something onto.
   
   Ok my thought is that people often cast their self-conceptions onto others in the form of fantasies. I will say that in my experience most people who "appear" to have wealth usually don't. I always think of people who wear name brand this and designer that as suffering from low self-esteem. Usually, when you peer behind the curtain a bit, you discover they are living off credit cards. In other words, what they are putting out is a mirage. Financial fakery!
   
   Great question!

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3. 70

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   They have low self-esteem. What one person looks like or how much money they have should have no bearing on you.
   To a certain extent it's human nature for people to want to (compare) themselves. There is always a pecking order even if it imaginary. The ego is a fascinating device. People would storm the streets in the U.S. if all schools and colleges switched to a "pass and fail" grading system for example. In other words there would be no difference between someone who got a D and someone who got an A. They'd both have a pass average. (Equality equals Mediocrity).
   Everyone wants to be BETTER than average. 
   We want to know who is #1 for any category, we want to travel "first class", dine in 5 star restaurants and stay in 5 star hotels.
   In the U.S. those with money or good looks are "privileged" in our society. Average people become frustrated watching such people get breaks in life simply because they were born into a certain family, had great genes, or just got a "lucky".
   However most "haters" despise it when they (believe) they are just as smart, talented, or good looking as those they dislike BUT they never got the breaks/opportunities or (received validation) from the outside world. What they're really mad it is GOD or LIFE for not being "fair"!

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4. 62

   loamejanposted 10 years ago

   Because jealous individual knew already that they don't have the capacity to compete to the other person. It is a matter of positive mindset. If somebody is so negative in his/her entire being, then she/he have a big chance to be jealous.

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5. 95

   jansharesposted 10 years ago

   Your last line sums it up perfectly, Joan. I wrote a poem hub about it, addressing the envy aspect of jealousy. I do believe jealously is a normal human emotion. However, holding onto it for too long or projecting it onto the person who triggers your insecurities, is a waste of energy. I have felt the twinge myself but I know it's about me. It's about my desire to be more or to achieve what I perceive as better, which is what that other person represents.

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6. 45

   DDEposted 10 years ago

   Some people are jealous of others  as they don't have what other shave and feel better with themselves. Jealousy is evil and can  cause one to lose family or friends.  Such people don't like it when other shave better and do better. They show jealousy as part of their affection. They can't afford to have  what others ave and jealousy is their way of putting their acts together.

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7. 82

   peachpurpleposted 10 years ago

   i agree with most of the mentioned reasons. My brother and sister in laws are very jealous when they see my hubby buys this and that while they do not have them. Although we live in a small house but we have all the latest gadgets that they don't

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