I just had an epiphany. For all you non-Aussies, beware the humility you may see in us people from the Antipodes. I suspect it is often fraudulent. Because in Australia we have to deal with a very insidious character trait (other than the fact we are all thieves).
We are trapped in an odd fixation about what it means to achieve. It seems we can't delineate between self-confidence and arrogance. So we avoid both and throw up humility. It is the perfect survival strategy against the dreaded Tall Poppy Syndrome (people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.) that has deeply hurt Australia's ability to innovate and compete internationally. We would rather offer a good dose of "humility" than say with pride that we did something great and risk being chopped down (like a tall poppy) by our peers. It is comical watching Olympic champions and successful business people dodging and weaving a genuine compliment. "I was in the right place at the right time", "my opposition wasn't on their game", "we were lucky with timing".
I hate arrogance like anyone but the opposite of that: humility as a way to avoid this syndrome is kind of more twisted really.
Humility from a genuine place is the answer.
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