Envy of success in your country

[giblets]

America must be a weird country because I'm not aware of this "tall poppy syndrome" thing.

[Uncle Sparky]

America must be a weird country because I'm not aware of this "tall poppy syndrome" thing.

I never heard it called that until today. I've always called it schadenfreude. You have to remember notyoueither is from Alberta...

[OzzyKP]

The grass is always greener on the other side.

[giblets]

The grass is always greener on the other side.

Docfeelgood, please stop.

[Archbob]

The government of the united States is a corporate fat-cat-tacracy so of course money and success is praised.

[OzzyKP]

Docfeelgood, please stop.

[Docfeelgood]

[notyoueither]

I never heard it called that until today. I've always called it schadenfreude. You have to remember notyoueither is from Alberta...

The term is not a regional thing.

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/03/23/canada-reacts-to-the-un-canadian-conrad-black/

Canada Reacts to its “Tall Poppy,” Conrad Black

By Peter Lattman

blackThe WSJ has a story today on the obsession in Canada with the Conrad Black trial. The fallen media baron is on trial in Chicago along with three co-defendants fighting charges that he looted his company Hollinger International of some $60 million.

Asked why the trial is capturing so much attention north of the border, Eddie Genson, Black’s Chicago-based attorney, told the WSJ, “possibly not very much happens in Canada.”

Another theory: Black is so un-Canadian. The phrase that keeps turning up is “tall poppy syndrome.” Translation: When a Canadian becomes conspicuously more successful than his countrymen, it’s expected he soon will be cut down to size. Says an Ottawa talk show host: “This country is about everybody getting enough, and those people who get a great deal are suspect.” Adds a Canadian doctor: “Rich people in America are outspoken and over-the-top. The wealthy in Canada are supposed to keep quiet.”

[onodera]

Whereas in Russia such a thing could never happen because nobody ever has any success there

Yep, individual success is mostly unheard of or tainted with a criminal trace.

[Docfeelgood]

It is not what know, but who you blow that gets you to the top.

[Kidlicious]

Envy isn't limited to the weak. It's uglier in the strong. Don't know if you can put that in your papper.

[molly bloom]

Canadians (and others?) have what is called tall poppy syndrome. It is annoying when I see it.

You often see it referred to in Australian media:

http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/poppy.htm

[Hauldren Collider]

I've never heard of tall poppy syndrome either.

[Elok]

I've heard of it, but it's not very American.

[The Mad Monk]

I'd go so far as to say the Americans go in the opposite direction -- we favor acheivers so much that we're willing to overlook or make excuses for their flaws.