http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome
The Tall Poppy Syndrome is carried to ridiculous extremes in New Zealand.
On my first of many long stays in New Zealand some 20 years ago, I attended a stage play. The play was well done and like all plays had someone that was the lead actor and actress. At the end of the play, all participants came out on stage holding hands and lined up in an even row. I kept waiting for the stars to take separate bows, but that was not to come. All were equal, all contributed their talents, and heaven forbid if one was to stand out above the other. That was my first introduction to the Tall Poppy Syndrome. I talked to my New Zealand born and raised wife after the play and she gave an example from her youth. She attended boarding school run by the Irish Catholic Merciless Sisters, sorry, Sisters of Mercy. She was a tennis player and is 5' 10" (definetely a Tall Poppy) and a pretty good player at that. The sisters were always after her to tone down her competive juices and allow the lesser talented girls to win as well.
My first entry in a New Zealand Golf competition I made the mistake of wearing a white short sleeve shirt. My partner said to me "Lon, are you going to play in that white shirt"? Yes I replied, why not? He said "well, you will sure stand out" I replied " Hell I am 6' 5" and will stand out no matter what". Most of the players were attired in brown, purple, black, dark green. This Tall Poppy thing is unique to NZ, OZ and maybe the UK. It's probably not as prevelent as it once was, but it's still there.
I acknowledge the fact that many of us Americans can be OVER THE TOP, as they say, but we grow up in a different culture where assertiveness, competiveness, and thinking well of one's self is not a sin.
New Zealanders are a kindly people and polite almost to a fault. I have stepped on someone's foot accidently and had them apologise to me by saying the famous Kiwi apology, SORRY, to which I reply "no, my fault and I'm sorry" to which they reply once again "SORRY" Oh well--------
Much of the world has adopted many of the American expressions, actions and dress I am sorry to say. The High Five, which I personally dislike, baseball caps on backwards and a host of other things that I wish had stayed in the U.S. I have grown to like both Rugby and Cricket and the reason is that they get on with the game. The bowler is not scratching his privates and constantly adjusting his cap or knocking imagineary dirt from his cleats. He gets on with it and throws the damn ball. Rugy??? Hey, 60 minutes and the game is over. American football is only 60 minutes as well, but drug out to 3 to four hours. Gotta have those commercials to pay the big bucks you know. I think there is a lot of fun to be had in acknowledging these differences and not taking ones self too seriously. There is a certain amout of hypocrisy with this Tall Poppy Syndrome, particularly when it comes to New Zealand atheletes. There is never a doubt who the heroes are, and they don't all come out and hold hands together. Even the Haka (famous Maori War Dance complete with one foot tongues), there will be those that stand out.
What are your thoughts on the Tall Poppy Syndrome??????????????
The Tall Poppy Syndrome
The Tall Poppy Syndrome
The differences between excellence and mediocrity should be not be ignored.
The difference between humility and pomposity is a genuine character issue but I dont think people should ever hold back from pursuing their ambitions for the sake of politeness.
I think its healthy for society to have Walter Paytons and Michael Jordans to rally for.
What would they put on the cover of cereal boxes otherwise?
The difference between humility and pomposity is a genuine character issue but I dont think people should ever hold back from pursuing their ambitions for the sake of politeness.
I think its healthy for society to have Walter Paytons and Michael Jordans to rally for.
What would they put on the cover of cereal boxes otherwise?
I AM AWESOME MAN
The Tall Poppy Syndrome
Nomad;1029078 wrote: The differences between excellence and mediocrity should be not be ignored.
The difference between humility and pomposity is a genuine character issue but I dont think people should ever hold back from pursuing their ambitions for the sake of politeness.
I think its healthy for society to have Walter Paytons and Michael Jordans to rally for.
What would they put on the cover of cereal boxes otherwise?
The world needs hero's.
The difference between humility and pomposity is a genuine character issue but I dont think people should ever hold back from pursuing their ambitions for the sake of politeness.
I think its healthy for society to have Walter Paytons and Michael Jordans to rally for.
What would they put on the cover of cereal boxes otherwise?
The world needs hero's.
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fuzzywuzzy
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The Tall Poppy Syndrome
Flogging Australia's tall-poppy syndrome
Explains the variety and culture of the Tall poppy syndrome in Australia. Not so sinister afterall.
The Tall-poppy Syndrome Explained from Australian History
In the early 19th century, a commentator on Australia wrote:
" Deep divisions exist within New South Wales, greatly adding to the burden of being a people isolated at the bottom of the world, and therefore needing more than ever to live together in harmony.
Historically, the greatest rift has been between the "exclusives" and the "emancipists". The first group believe that anyone who has come to the colony in penal servitude is never capable of complete redemption. These people, who tend to be among the wealthy landowners, thus see themselves as a superior class. For their part, the emancipists, who are all ex-convicts, are concerned with equality of human rights.
Governor Macquarie, much to his peril, supported the emancipist cause, despite opposition from the forces which believed it would end respect for the law by allowing ex-convicts the normal rights of British citizens.
Since the Bigge inquiry, though, the colony has been re-established much more firmly as a prison rather than for reform, which has only worsened the tension. As well, the emancipists are divided, between those who committed crimes at home, and in Australia. This reflects a third division, being "Sterling", a name for the British-born, and the "Currency", the home-grown population."
Explains the variety and culture of the Tall poppy syndrome in Australia. Not so sinister afterall.
The Tall-poppy Syndrome Explained from Australian History
In the early 19th century, a commentator on Australia wrote:
" Deep divisions exist within New South Wales, greatly adding to the burden of being a people isolated at the bottom of the world, and therefore needing more than ever to live together in harmony.
Historically, the greatest rift has been between the "exclusives" and the "emancipists". The first group believe that anyone who has come to the colony in penal servitude is never capable of complete redemption. These people, who tend to be among the wealthy landowners, thus see themselves as a superior class. For their part, the emancipists, who are all ex-convicts, are concerned with equality of human rights.
Governor Macquarie, much to his peril, supported the emancipist cause, despite opposition from the forces which believed it would end respect for the law by allowing ex-convicts the normal rights of British citizens.
Since the Bigge inquiry, though, the colony has been re-established much more firmly as a prison rather than for reform, which has only worsened the tension. As well, the emancipists are divided, between those who committed crimes at home, and in Australia. This reflects a third division, being "Sterling", a name for the British-born, and the "Currency", the home-grown population."
The Tall Poppy Syndrome
I've seen this attitude trying to creep back in over the last few years. Its not new. I remember it being an issue for discussion back in the 80's when it became fashionable to reign in the competitiveness of schoolkids when they played sports. It didnt work and it wont work.
Take Rugby for instance, a game played extensively in NZ, Oz, SA and the UK. Its almost impossible to play a friendly game of rugby. It has to be played at full stamp or the game ceases to be. Its pointless
Its just not natural to stem the instinctive nature of human competition, whether its sport or in the work place. We should allow excellence to prevail. Its what makes the All Blacks as powerful as they are. Its what makes the Ozzy batting line up a pleasure to watch (sometimes
) Its why the Brazillians are so successful at football. I want to have heros in sport and strong competitive captains of industry, vieing for that million dollar contract.
I do agree with Nomad. Excell with humility
Take Rugby for instance, a game played extensively in NZ, Oz, SA and the UK. Its almost impossible to play a friendly game of rugby. It has to be played at full stamp or the game ceases to be. Its pointless
Its just not natural to stem the instinctive nature of human competition, whether its sport or in the work place. We should allow excellence to prevail. Its what makes the All Blacks as powerful as they are. Its what makes the Ozzy batting line up a pleasure to watch (sometimes
) Its why the Brazillians are so successful at football. I want to have heros in sport and strong competitive captains of industry, vieing for that million dollar contract. I do agree with Nomad. Excell with humility
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill