content: Here in Germany it is quite similar to what you describe for Finland - it's probably the same for pretty much all of western Europe.  AFAIK in the US the love of money goes back to certain religious types who thought that wealth is a sign that god improves of you, basically. (There are still people in the US who believe in things like "seeding" money and then god makes more money come back your way and shit. It's crazy, John Oliver had something on this lately.) I have to say, though, that I do not mind Americans being as they are. At least not nearly as much as most Europeans probably mind it. Because it is good for western economies when rich people blow their money on fancy things. You know, there goes a lot of honest craftsmanship into many luxury goods. I prefer the rich supporting that stuff, and I don't think Europe needs another envious one. We got plenty of that type.