An Australian visiting the United States has been struck by a “wild” difference between people living in Sydney and New York: the way they talk about themselves.
New South Wales businesswoman Anaita Sarkar said Australians will only support you on one condition: you present yourself as an underdog.
“In Australia we really downplay our success and don’t even talk about our goals in a really positive way,” he said.
‘Australia really values underdogs; when you consider yourself an underdog and promote yourself as such, people really get behind you.
“The moment you consider yourself the leader, nobody chases you.”
Anaita contrasted this with the New York mentality, where if you talk about your success and goals “in a positive way,” people “are there for it.”
“They’re so excited about you that they’ll connect you with other people, they’ll tell you that you need to talk to this person because if that’s your goal, I know someone who can help you achieve that,” she said.
Ms Sarkar is not the first person to criticise her home country for suffering from tall poppy syndrome, with many Australians quick to agree that it is a lonely place to pursue one’s goals.
“Tall poppy syndrome is rampant in Australia and we grew up believing that if you had the slightest bit of self-confidence you were vain and conceited. It took me a long time to change my mindset,” said one.
Anaita Sarkar from Sydney said New Yorkers are more likely to talk about themselves and their success in a positive way.
The Sydney businessman said Australians will only support you if you promote yourself as the underdog.
“In Australia we all have tall poppy syndrome. In the US it doesn’t exist,” added another.
Another said Australians drove them “crazy” with their “small” mentality and accused the country of hating successful people.
Another man from Down Under who had lived in the US agreed that the Big Apple has a “much more expansive energy” and welcomes people who aspire to the stars.
One man believed that having dreams and talking about them made you a “doer” in Australia, and that the country only likes people who “fit in.”
“It’s very true. In Australia it’s great not to try too hard, whereas in America ambition, chasing a dream and doing what you want is rewarded,” he said.
Another argued that the nation’s mentality had nothing to do with it and that it simply depended on the type of people one chooses to surround oneself with.
“Today, everything is changing. Here people create networks, pass on useful contacts and encourage others,” he said.
