Psychology of Nations?

Do you think different countries have different psychologies? I wonder if one of the most prevalent in Britain is a kind of Tall Poppy Syndrome? Tall Poppy Syndrome is basically where people ar put down for standing above the crowd and doing well at something, there always seems to be someone who wants to "cut you down to size". As a nation we seem to really dislike someone doing well, the tabloid press in particular love to build someone up and put them on a massive pedastal which they will inevitably fall from, then they tear them apart and they go from being able to do no wrong to being able to do no right. Do we fear success?

Do other countries have such sayings as "getting above your station in life", or "to big for your boots"?

I've wondered if Israel has a national persecution complex? It wouldn't be surprising if they did given the way Jews have been persecuted for the last 2,000 years or more.

Is America WIldly optomistic and afraid of failure? I wonder about the fall out of "The American Dream" where anyone can "make it if they try hard enough", what does that do to those who keep trying and failing particularly if it's through no fault of thier own?

I know some people will look at this and think, eh whats she on about now? But have a think, what are a nations psychological traits, not just the face which they like to show the world, but what's the underbelly of a national psyche like?

Parents
  • I think there are psychological traits that are more common in one nation than another. This is based on my personal experience, nothing more. I find the English to be phlegmatic, fair minded and resilient. I am not English myself, but I am far more comfortable in England than anywhere else I've been. 

Reply
  • I think there are psychological traits that are more common in one nation than another. This is based on my personal experience, nothing more. I find the English to be phlegmatic, fair minded and resilient. I am not English myself, but I am far more comfortable in England than anywhere else I've been. 

Children
  • Thank you for your reply Richy, at least someone gets what I'm talking about!

    It's interesting that you find yourself more comfortable here than other countries, I'm not well travelled myself,  have met many people who travel here from different countries.

    I think us Brits are far less compliant than many other nations, I couldn't see us standing for the sort conformity that some Asian countries go for.