Can buying more stuff bring more happiness? | Chitchat

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China's largest annual online shopping festival, known as "Double Eleven" or Singles Day, is happening in five days time. 

The first ever Double Eleven Shopping Festival was held on Taobao.com in 2009 and went down a storm in the online shopping arena.

Last year, more than 45 million netizens bought almost RMB 121 billion ($18.2 billion) worth of goods on Nov 11 alone. It's become so popular, in fact, that a lot of people have a fear of missing out on all the bargains.

As one commenter put it: "Spending Singles Day alone isn't scary. What's scary is when you're so poor that you can't even enjoy Taobao's Double Eleven."

In last week's Chitchat, we welcomed you to share your thoughts and ideas about the upcoming shopping festival — now let's take a look at some of the highlights.

Ways to save money

@McGrady

I am poor.

@末爺

The best way to save money is to stay off your phone.😂

@曹腾飞

It's acceptable to buy stuff in the so-called shopping carnival to erase the sorrow of being single. But I feel extremely regretful when I have chopped off my hands (spent all my money) and still find that I'm a lot more ugly in the clothes than the models on the internet.

Spending unequal to happiness

@Kiwi

I'm not one of "the hands-chopping people" because I will only buy things I need online. When I feel bored, I will not shop online crazily, because I think it is just a waste of time. Instead, I will choose to read something useful, watch movies or cook something yummy to kill time. Anyway, different people have different ideas about this. What matters is that we should follow our hearts.

@David 

In my view, it doesn't matter how much we spend. The matter is that we acquire happiness through consumption. The truth, however, is that you still can't get happiness even if you spend a lot of money.

@西域舌耕

As a mature and conservative consumer, it never crosses my mind to spend my modest income on something unnecessary any time. Of course, as an ardent and avid English learner, it is my practice to buy the latest English dictionaries so that I can make progress with the times.

Earn more, spend more

@Greg 

It is better to save now, to be able to consume more in the future.

Treat yourself

@Desperado

I will chop off my hands (overspend) on Double Eleven. Actually I have reserved some products on Taobao already. I'm a big fan of Jack Ma!!

@薛杨

The "Double Eleven" spree is the best strategy adopted by Jack Ma. With this hot carnival approaching and people's excitement rising, I would regret it if I didn't buy anything… 😂

Truth about the carnival

@君思我兮然疑作

I'm in no hurry to chop hands (spend all my money), because there are more shopping carnivals: 12.12, 1.1, 6.18…

@Tristan

The prerequisite of chopping off my hands (overspending) is that I have enough money to squander with reckless profligacy. It's an astounding commercial miracle to boost sales by developing a special festival and make it a carnival involving all citizens. Before the arrival of the Double Eleven event, buyers have already topped up their shopping carts and are constantly peeping at the screen. When the bell strikes 12, they will surge onto e-commerce websites, swamping the servers and submerging the logistics companies.

Anyway, enjoy the Double Eleven and watch your wallet!

Editors: Tang Xiaomin, Jin Chuanzhi (intern)

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