Envy of success in your country

[notyoueither]

My intuition tells me that it is a holdover of the class system in the UK and the Empire.

Merit is good and should be rewarded, but people resent others being obnoxious or ostentatious about success.

"Know your place."

[Aeson]

I've been gone from the US for 2 years. It sounds like we've cleared up all the envy, jealousy, and schadenfreude in my absence

[Kidlicious]

I don't believe that Aeson. Rather I believe that americans are unconsciously envious. When your friend buys something new sudenly you want it, but you don't recognize it for what it is, envy.

[notyoueither]

I think he was being ironic.

[Kidlicious]

He also belongs to a marriage cult - no, I don't know actually.

[Egbert]

I don't believe that Aeson. Rather I believe that americans are unconsciously envious. When your friend buys something new sudenly you want it, but you don't recognize it for what it is, envy.

or, perhaps, a fear of losing relative social staus?

(I am suggesting there is a difference in motivations between "Keeping up with the Jones" or dragging them down to my level?)

[Al B. Sure!]

Crabs in the bucket, people! Crabs in the bucket!

This phenomena is well-known in the US. Come to the ghetto.

[Al B. Sure!]

There's not much envy of success in the US. Success is generally praiseworthy. That said, there is little sympathy for those that fail and many would rather see someone else hurt than gain a benefit for themselves. That's why we're so ****ed up and ****ed, in general.

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

I've never heard of tall poppy syndrome either.

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

The prevalence of crabs in the bucket mentalities among the poor and minorities is well-demonstrated and, I thought, well-known. Go figure.

[giblets]

Crabs in the bucket, people! Crabs in the bucket!

This phenomena is well-known in the US. Come to the ghetto.

Why would I want to?

[giblets]

The prevalence of crabs in the bucket mentalities among the poor and minorities is well-demonstrated and, I thought, well-known. Go figure.

So I'm guessing rich, successful rappers who engage in ostentatious displays of wealth are widely hated and vilified in the ghetto?

[Al B. Sure!]

So I'm guessing rich, successful rappers who engage in ostentatious displays of wealth are widely hated and vilified in the ghetto?

1) they get robbed. You want a litany of how many rappers have been robbed? It's ridiculous. Same for Black professional athletes.
2) Not relevant, anyway. We're talking more commonly attainable forms of success, here, like educational and mainstream career success... you know, acting 'white'
3) Crabs in the bucket is a well-known social dynamic in minority communities. Everyone SHOULD know that, but apparently not you.

[Elok]

Yeah, and you SHOULD have known who Led Zeppelin were. Care to elaborate on what "Crabs in the bucket" means? Is it a reference to a crab feast, the one on top of the bucket gets eaten first?

[Hauldren Collider]

I prefer artificial crab. Tastes better and is cheaper. Plus you can get more of it, meaning you can EAT more of it.

(I say we have a food threadjack!)

[giblets]

In spite of being a "well-known social dynamic" it only has a stub article on Wikipedia. Also, I don't see how discouraging a mainstream middle class lifestyle is the same as "tall poppy syndrome" which seems to be the most hostile to the rich.

[Al B. Sure!]

Yeah, and you SHOULD have known who Led Zeppelin were. Care to elaborate on what "Crabs in the bucket" means? Is it a reference to a crab feast, the one on top of the bucket gets eaten first?

The crabs try to escape the bucket but all hold each other down. If I can't have it, neither can you.