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Ignoring most of the specifics in the article I found the word: "janteloven"[0] interesting. Australians would call it tall poppy syndrome and the Brits.... W

Ignoring most of the specifics in the article I found the word: "janteloven"[0] interesting. Australians would call it tall poppy syndrome and the Brits.... Well the Brits have an institutionalised system of honouring people who achieve.[1] Everyone from sports people to business people. Obviously it's incredibly political but it is taken very seriously. [0] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Jante http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Jante [1] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_honours_system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_honours_system

Dewie 13y ago
Norway# has Kongens Fortjenestemedalje which is awarded for contributions to art, science, business or exceptional public service. To me janteloven seems more like a subtle attitude that is not really discussed much but is rather felt (like many cultural norms, really). #Relevant because it's part of Scandinavia
- Svip 13y ago
  (And used to be part of Denmark.) /me rins.
  - Dewie 13y ago
    Thanks for reminding me, Dane.
vidarh 13y ago
It's worth pointing out that Scandinavian culture values achievements. There's just a general suspicion of those who openly seek recognition for it. We tend to expect people to be hard working, but self-deprecating about any achievements to the extent of almost appearing embarrassed about it. Someone who is sufficiently self-deprecating might even be celebrated for that, but someone who is perceived as boasting will very often be viciously cut down to size. A good illustration of the extreme importance of being self deprecating is how a big part of Norwegian mythos around the Norwegian royal family is how the then king took a tram when wanting to go skiing in '73 during the fuel crisis, and "even" took out his wallet to pay (During a period, using private cars during the weekends was illegal, and while the royal family almost certainly would've gotten dispensation, they judged it to send a bad signal). Google even autocompletes "kong olav trikken" (king Olav tram) for me if I type in "kong olav", and you'll find pictures of it in most Norwegian history books... (The hilarious part is that this was partially staged: the press heard he'd taken the tram, and nicely asked if they might be allowed to come along next time and were given the ok by the palace; had people in general been more media savvy at the time, it'd likely have had the opposite effect)
- arethuza 13y ago
  I was rather surprised to find out that the current Norwegian royals were actually elected in 1905 :-)
  - Dewie 13y ago
    The democratic vote was over whether Norway should become a republic or a monarchy. Prince Carl (to be King Haakon) was already chosen as a candidate at that time, and had agreed to the seat as long as the the Norwegian people would accept him.
mrweasel 13y ago
I getting really tired of seeing "Janteloven" every time Denmark is discussed. It's not an issue and haven't been for a long time. I'm 32, and I have NEVER heard someone be anything that happy for the success of others ( Unless their business is bordering what is ethical ). People are generally happy for the success of other people, and if they even managed to create jobs for others it's even better.

Dewie 13y ago

Norway# has Kongens Fortjenestemedalje which is awarded for contributions to art, science, business or exceptional public service. To me janteloven seems more like a subtle attitude that is not really discussed much but is rather felt (like many cultural norms, really). #Relevant because it's part of Scandinavia

Svip 13y ago
(And used to be part of Denmark.) /me rins.
- Dewie 13y ago
  Thanks for reminding me, Dane.

vidarh 13y ago

It's worth pointing out that Scandinavian culture values achievements. There's just a general suspicion of those who openly seek recognition for it. We tend to expect people to be hard working, but self-deprecating about any achievements to the extent of almost appearing embarrassed about it. Someone who is sufficiently self-deprecating might even be celebrated for that, but someone who is perceived as boasting will very often be viciously cut down to size. A good illustration of the extreme importance of being self deprecating is how a big part of Norwegian mythos around the Norwegian royal family is how the then king took a tram when wanting to go skiing in '73 during the fuel crisis, and "even" took out his wallet to pay (During a period, using private cars during the weekends was illegal, and while the royal family almost certainly would've gotten dispensation, they judged it to send a bad signal). Google even autocompletes "kong olav trikken" (king Olav tram) for me if I type in "kong olav", and you'll find pictures of it in most Norwegian history books... (The hilarious part is that this was partially staged: the press heard he'd taken the tram, and nicely asked if they might be allowed to come along next time and were given the ok by the palace; had people in general been more media savvy at the time, it'd likely have had the opposite effect)

arethuza 13y ago
I was rather surprised to find out that the current Norwegian royals were actually elected in 1905 :-)
- Dewie 13y ago
  The democratic vote was over whether Norway should become a republic or a monarchy. Prince Carl (to be King Haakon) was already chosen as a candidate at that time, and had agreed to the seat as long as the the Norwegian people would accept him.

mrweasel 13y ago

I getting really tired of seeing "Janteloven" every time Denmark is discussed. It's not an issue and haven't been for a long time. I'm 32, and I have NEVER heard someone be anything that happy for the success of others ( Unless their business is bordering what is ethical ). People are generally happy for the success of other people, and if they even managed to create jobs for others it's even better.