The tall poppy syndrome is a cultural phenomenon in which people hold back, criticise, or sabotage those who have or are believed to have excessively high opinion of oneself or their importance - "cutting down the tall poppy". It describes a draw towards humility.
Commonly in Australia and New Zealand, "Cutting down the tall poppy" is used to describe those who deliberately put down another for their success and achievements, due to being perceived as egotistical, vain or displaying self-adulation.
Egotistical (tick), Vain (maybe but inconclusive), displaying self adulation (tick).
The metaphor, though popular in Australia and NZ, is also popular almost everywhere else on earth, though they may or may not have a similar worth metaphor.
In Ireland, it is prevalent within the culture to encourage humility in yourself and others. People perceived to be tall poppies will often be described as "getting notions about themselves" and the cautionary words of "don't go getting notions about yourself" will meet any boast
ful remarks. This culture is most obvious in the Irish people's cutting-down of Irish celebrities.
You will find the tall poppy syndrome almost everywhere but Europe, which has a more egalitarian culture and system.
Distinction
Nobody likes it when flouting is involved, in particular when it is undeserved or obtain via dubious means. Say a corrupt politician (am I being redundant) showing off his new Ferrari. To be outraged would be fair game.
However if the person flouting is not a criminal, but probably became wealthy from his own efforts largely (nothing is absolute). Then to disparage him flouting the Ferrari would probably reflect more on OURSELVES (jealousy, bitterness, spitefulness, discontent).
Side note, it is not even an extravagant purchase relative to his net worth. I mean, I do not have much affection for the guy but how he runs listed company may not be 100% splendid but nothing sinister or criminal.He did build a beautiful company from scratch. The way he ran the company was his own discretion. He has done well already considering that most airlines that still survived mostly needed huge capital injection from their governments ... not his.
Some say its the refunds/salary ... halloooo.. one is corporate the other is personal. Apalah ... you mean he should put his private funds into his company? Where's this coming from, what warped thinking. If he still rubs you up the wrong way,... don't invest, ... don't fly in his planes. Why the hatred?
Check our own attitudes, why are we jealous, bitter, spiteful, discontent. Justifiable in any way?
We live in a capitalistic world, and that's how we operate. People CAN get rich and enjoy. The POOR is in the system because they also can be rich.
The system does not come with instructions that you have to be humble, contrite, apologetic, modest, diffident ... That's character, that comes from your family, friends, culture and most importantly ..
self-introspection.
LIFE is not fair, but you know that already. As Cristiano Ronaldo beautifully said: "Money does not make people wealthy. In fact, some of the people are so poor all they have is money".
Some examples of extravagance spending (USD) below. How does that make you feel? Why? You can pissed off thinking of better ways to spend the money ... well, its not yours to spend. We attach our value system on material things and monetary value - again, not your call, you can only attach those things to your things.
So do you also hate all of them below?
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