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Meera Atkinson  The Macquarie Dictionary defines Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) as 'a desire to diminish in stature those people who have attained excellence'. The Australian National Dictionary says a Tall Poppy is 'a person who is conspicuously successful; frequently one whose distinction, rank, or wealth attracts envious notice or hostility'.
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There is hearty debate about whether TPS is a national characteristic or a myth. Further, if it does exist, whether it’s a reasonable way of keeping inflated egos in check and ensuring accountability or evidence of an unfortunate inferiority complex that drives us to begrudge the success and confidence of others. So what are we to make of this TPS business? Norman Feather, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Flinders University, specialises in Australian values and tall poppy attitudes. In Norman’s opinion the case for TPS may be overstated. “No doubt there are people in Australian society who want to cut tall poppies down to size but, though it’s referred to as a characterisation of Australian culture, I think it’s a bit of a myth when you do cross-cultural studies. A lot of people respect tall poppies, believe they deserve to be where they are, and feel some tall poppies are important for our society.” Norman says that research confirms the suggestion that the way we treat tall poppies depends not so much on their success but on their attitude to their success. For example, few people will say a bad word about Cate Blanchett whereas Russell Crowe, who is perceived as arrogant, is often criticised. “In some of my own studies, if the tall poppy was seen as pushing themselves forward, as arrogant or conceited, there was a much greater desire to pull the tall poppy down so the personality and way the tall poppy behaves is very important. People react against arrogance and hubris but the more humble and modest a person is who occupies a high position, the more highly that person is thought of. Pride comes before a fall.” Some who believe in TPS see it as evidence of collective insecurity born of our convict beginnings, the implication being that we are more comfortable with under-achievement. Norman agrees that Australians have a tendency to react against authority, stemming from our convict history, and considers this an interesting hypothesis.  “It ties in with the idea that people who put a lot of value on equality and conformity are probably more likely to want to see tall poppies fall. They have a view of society that people shouldn’t be very different in status,” he says. Norman’s research also showed that if a tall poppy or high achiever is viewed as deserving their high status, if they’ve got to the top of the ladder courtesy of effort and ability, people are generally happy to let them stay where they are, but if seen as unworthy of their success there’s an impulse to want to cut them down to size. Is this a form of schadenfreude then? “That’s defined as malicious joy is someone’s negative outcome. You might feel a certain amount of pleasure when a tall poppy falls if they’re seen not to deserve their high status,” Norman says. “Some also argue that feeling good about a tall poppy’s fall has to do with the amount of envy you have for them.” If humility is defined as a form of self-acceptance and a respect of one’s human limits, it can readily be seen as a spiritual principle while envy, being one of the seven deadly sins, is clearly not. So can we relate this business of TPS to spirituality or Christianity in any way? Norman says it’s hard for him to make that connection, though he does concede that spirituality comes in with respect for a higher authority, the feeling of being humbled in the presence of God. Ultimately he seems to think Australians are not so very different from most other nationalities when it comes to how we respond to the success of others. He sees Australia as a fairly individualistic culture, but one whose individualism is muted by the high value placed on egalitarianism and mateship. So it seems tall poppies can breathe a sigh of relief: we aren’t out to get you after all. Just so long as you deserve your good fortune and keep the old ego in check.
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