Pissing in a river

Imagine a culture where you get prestige,

By pissing in a river.

You’d become the local liege

If you were a good giver.

Arbitrary? Yes indeed.

Harmful for those downstream,

Like a persistent weed.

An enduring, random cultural theme.

We don’t do this to impress our brothers,

Thinking we’re on the upswing.

But we have cars and phones and others;

Is it not the same thing?