An Aussie visiting the US was struck by one ‘wild’ difference between those in Sydney and New York – and it’s to do with how they talk about themselves.
Anaita Sarkar, an entrepreneur from New South Wales, said that Aussies will only support you on one condition: that you present yourself as an underdog.
‘In Australia we really downplay our success, and we don’t even talk about our goals in a really positive way,’ she said.
‘Australia really values the underdog, when you consider yourself an underdog and promote yourself as an underdog, people really root for you.
‘The minute you consider yourself top dog, no one goes for you.’
Anaita contrasted this with the New York mentality where if you speak about your success and goals in ‘a positive light’, people are ‘here for it’.
‘They’re so excited for you, they’ll connect you with other people , they’ll say you need to talk to this person because if that’s your goal I know someone who can help you get there,’ she said.
Ms Sarkar isn’t the first person to call out her home country for suffering from tall poppy syndrome, and many Aussies were quick to agree that it’s a lonely place to pursue your goals.
‘Tall poppy syndrome is savage in Australia and we grew up believing that if you had the smallest confidence in yourself then you are conceited and up yourself, it’s taken me so long to change my mindset,’ one said.
Anaita Sarkar from Sydney said that New Yorkers are more likely to talk about themselves and their success positively
The Sydney entrepreneur said that Aussies will only support you if you promote yourself as the underdog
‘We all have tall poppy syndrome in Australia. It’s non existent in the US,’ another added.
Another said Australians drove them ‘crazy’ with the ‘small’ mindset and accused the country of hating successful people.
Another man from Down Under who had lived in America agreed that The Big Apple has a much more ‘expansive energy’ and embraces people who are reaching for the stars.
One man believed that having dreams and speaking about them made you a ‘try hard’ Down Under, and that the country only likes people who ‘fit in’.
‘So true, it’s cool not to try too hard in Australia. Whilst the US rewards ambition and chasing a dream and doing your own thing,’ he said.
Another argued that the mindset of the nation had nothing to do with it, and it was simply down to the type of people you choose to surround yourself with.
‘It’s changing nowadays. People here network, pass on helpful contacts and do encourage others,’ he said.
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