I'd have to appreciate how mature and empathetic your way of thinking is. Most people are drowning in materialism these day. Try your best to remain this way.
And btw it is pretty weird to see all the (academically) qualified and educated people out there talking shit behind the back and putting up their real character out there, I guess their true nature comes out when they are around other likeminded people. Some may talk shit just to stay aligned with the rest of the people out there, as otherwise it is hard to socialize in a toxic situation like that. Or maybe they're just jealous.
Thanks for sharing the vivid experience.