I sometimes feel I see some envy when I'm out and around with my kids. I think some people wish they had a relationship with theirs like we have. Yet, when I'm dining alone and see a happy couple across the way. I watch as she touches him tenderly on the neck as they talk. He rubs her arm or holds her hand. Yeah, envy isn't half what I feel at that moment.

BigBear...

the scenerio that you just described... are the moments when envy bites me... material things.. I dont' get envious about... but it is the unspoken moments that I witness... those get me everytime.

Of the people that I consider true friends all but one is married. That makes me one of the two single guys in the group. Luckly I don't think the other guy is ever going to move out of his parent's house (we're all in our late 20's or early 30's) so there is still hope for me :p. At times I am envious that my buds all have found what seem to be great women for them to marry (no marriages gone awry yet, and hopefully never will) and that I have not yet come across the right person.

Then I realize that I better not think about that too much and get depressed. So I hang out with them and their friends (some of them have to be single too :)) and get on with my life... I am lucky to have good friends, a good job, a healthy body... so there really is no need for envy :) (how's that for denial?)

I have no Envy..............and if someone envies me then it has never been discussed. I think my freedom may stir abit of talk but only momentary.

Aother great thread Jenna, addressing challengimg issues.

From the Brit perspective, I think we have a very interesting situation. My parents were from the WW11 generation and were a tough stoical lot. We were brought up to be happy and grateful for what we had. I think that this has lead me not to be envious - some wishful thinking perhaps.

On the other hand, like so many cultural changes here through the 60's and 70's, attitudes have changed. People will envy you now for your fancy car, house, job etc. and they will behave differently to you.

These tend to be material things and in my view they are issues for the enviers to deal with, though we now have too many who want to push their success in your face.

As for other's relationships - do you have the expression rose tinted spectacles? - the reality is always different to the perception, and besides you can't be someone else so the relationship would never be the same.

My SO and I have a very close group of friends, almost all of us are married with at least one kid and financially, we're all at the same point in our lives. I don't think I've ever envied them where they are at now though I know one of our girlfriends, the only non-married one, sometimes finds herself envious of our "wedded bliss" and kids. LOL I tell her she should enjoy the freedom while she can. :D