4 ms·

Very true. I bet Scandinavia ranks highest in 'average happiness', but much lower in 'peak happiness', if that makes sense. There is a kind of oppressive atmosp

by aedron 10y ago

Very true. I bet Scandinavia ranks highest in 'average happiness', but much lower in 'peak happiness', if that makes sense. There is a kind of oppressive atmosphere here where you are expected to subdue yourself, like it is a sin to stick out in a positive way (how dare you make the rest of us feel worse off with your success).

jamesblonde 10y ago
That oppresive cultural phenomenom you refer to is called 'modesty' (Jantelag in Sweden - Jante's law). I also experience it in rural ireland - 'dont get too big for your boots', 'dont let it go to his/her head' (although rank selfishness is still socially acceptable in catholic rural ireland as long as you make up for it with by being a 'character'). Selfishness doesn't fly in Sweden. Modesty plays an important role in social cohesion, as studies show that relative wealth, not absolute wealth is important in how people feel about themselves.
- digi_owl 10y ago
  > (Jantelag in Sweden - Jante's law) Please don't. That was the creation of one author that was a bit of a grump to put it mildly. Also, he formulated that in the 1930s.
dguaraglia 10y ago
I concur with jamesblonde. American culture is very particular in that it encourages bragging and self-aggrandizing as a good character trait. It takes a while to get used to that when moving to the US. As a simple example a very good friend of mine had issues with interviewing for jobs because she'd understate her achievements. She'd be asked "so what's your experience with Photoshop and Illustrator" and she'd say "well, I've used them a lot and I'm comfortable with them." An American with half her experience would confidently say "I'm an expert." It took a lot of cajoling to get her to be less modest - at least while interviewing.
- ConceptJunkie 10y ago
  I've been told before that I understate my skills and capabilities in my resume, but I state things to a degree that I'm comfortable with. I think the problem arises from most resumes being BS, so if your resume doesn't claim you have 20 years experience in a 5-year-old technology, etc., recruiters probably think you're a complete loser. Well, that and the fact that most recruiters don't seem to have the reading comprehension of a dead badger...

by aedron 10y ago

jamesblonde 10y ago

That oppresive cultural phenomenom you refer to is called 'modesty' (Jantelag in Sweden - Jante's law). I also experience it in rural ireland - 'dont get too big for your boots', 'dont let it go to his/her head' (although rank selfishness is still socially acceptable in catholic rural ireland as long as you make up for it with by being a 'character'). Selfishness doesn't fly in Sweden. Modesty plays an important role in social cohesion, as studies show that relative wealth, not absolute wealth is important in how people feel about themselves.

digi_owl 10y ago
> (Jantelag in Sweden - Jante's law) Please don't. That was the creation of one author that was a bit of a grump to put it mildly. Also, he formulated that in the 1930s.

dguaraglia 10y ago

I concur with jamesblonde. American culture is very particular in that it encourages bragging and self-aggrandizing as a good character trait. It takes a while to get used to that when moving to the US. As a simple example a very good friend of mine had issues with interviewing for jobs because she'd understate her achievements. She'd be asked "so what's your experience with Photoshop and Illustrator" and she'd say "well, I've used them a lot and I'm comfortable with them." An American with half her experience would confidently say "I'm an expert." It took a lot of cajoling to get her to be less modest - at least while interviewing.

ConceptJunkie 10y ago
I've been told before that I understate my skills and capabilities in my resume, but I state things to a degree that I'm comfortable with. I think the problem arises from most resumes being BS, so if your resume doesn't claim you have 20 years experience in a 5-year-old technology, etc., recruiters probably think you're a complete loser. Well, that and the fact that most recruiters don't seem to have the reading comprehension of a dead badger...