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> Signaling you desire more let’s leaders know you are hungry to grow.

Is that really how it works? If I look at Chinese materialism as prestige, I don't see anybody signaling that they are hungry. I only see people signaling that they have stuff and that somehow having stuff equates happiness and "something good".

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One interpretation of this is leaders viewing a young, "hungry" employee who likes to spend money as being more reliant on a salary than someone who's identity isn't so tied to spending money. If the hungry one needs a steady salary to maintain their lifestyle, they're more likely to be loyal to the company because they can't afford to leave. Of course that depends on the employee being someone the company actually wants to keep around and and whether the company can afford to pay them above market value.

This is the unfortunate part. But if you are concerned with scaling salary it can work to your advantage for a time.

American Corp culture still sees a hungry young worker with good taste as “one of them”. Knowing what car to take to the track, sailing knowledge, or what Hermès scarf to buy as a gift for their partner as comforting conversation fodder that makes them more comfortable with you.

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