Why are we so obsessed with one upping each other?

Like most people, I grew up being compared to Sharma ji ka ladka cause i was never good enough. I’m 30 now and I feel that comparison mindset just hasn’t gone away. Like sure “competing” for that rank/campus placement makes sense at some level but I just don’t get when I see full blown adults resort to childish one upping BS. Comparing what car you drive, how much you invest, where you travel is just the tip of the iceberg I feel. “Why are you traveling to ABC? We travelled to XYZ and it was so much nicer” “Why do you work at that company? My company is better.” “Why aren’t you buying a house? We got one last year and it’s amazing.” “Why do you still drive that piece of shit car?” It’s also a problem when you do the opposite. “Oh two international trips in one year? Someone is making too much money” “Why do you workout so much? You want to be a bodybuilder?” “You must be crazy to spend on luxury items” You’re damned if you and you’re damned if you don’t. People hate being basic but are also chastised if they truly dare to be different.