Spain is the country with the lowest rate, but France is also one of the lowest, whereas most international people think we're the most arrogant and proud lol
And the highest is Greece
Are you surprised by the results of this graph, about the number of people who think their cultures are superior to other nations?
Actually, no. The states of Europe, since World War II, in general have lost the sense of distinctiveness and national identity that was once so characteristic of them in the pre-World War I era. The combination of two world wars and the formation of the European Union - beginning with the Common Market and such - has gradually diluted the sense of distinctiveness.
The irony here is that France has especially been impacted by this via a variety of factors. The carnage of World War I, the defeat and occupation during World War II and the necessity of being liberated by a former rival like the UK, and the increasing interrelationship between France and Germany in NATO and the EU - and for that matter, the need for the American alliance - have all combined to dilute France's sense of distinctiveness.
Although there may be a counterintuitive explanation here. France feels less superior because French influence in much of the world is such that France does not see many cultures as distinct from itself. Thus, the French may not feel themselves superior because - unconsciously - they see much of the world as having become like themselves.
As to Spain, the combination of having fallen from being an empire to now being, to some extent, a polyglot mass may have diluted its' sense of distinctiveness. It is not that much different from the rest of Europe - only it is more so.
The bottom line is that much of post-WWII history in European culture has been a shaken sense of self-confidence and a search for a peace that will avoid the carnage that has characterized so much European history. Yet for all that, France and some of the other states of Europe remain important - if somewhat diminished from what they were historically speaking - global players. That is to their credit.
Speaking as an American who observes global affairs, I would argue that Europe - diminished from what it was, to be sure - deserves more credit and a better sense of itself than it has. The current numbers reflecting perhaps an overcorrection from what might be argued was the cultural hubris of the pre-WWII era.
I'm not surprised by Spain, in fact I've been to Spain several times and I get the impression that the Spanish don't even have nostalgia for their past greatness.
The Russians don't surprise me either.
But the Greek result really surprises me.
I wonder what would have happened on the same poll for North America, for example...
I would have thought that the United Kingdom would also have been higher, I mean unlike France they emerged victorious from the Second World War and subsequently remained a very great power... So I'm surprised it's low
Well, again, this is a Europe-wide phenomenon. The cultural influences in one part of the continent will tend, over time, to spread to the other parts - and indeed, even to the world. (See also the somewhat weakened sense of national distinctiveness in the USA. "Wokeism," which disdains the idea of the USA being a special nation and such.
All these things are part of a wider cultural heritage throughout the West, albeit in varying degrees.
Oh, as the Britain, the loss of empire too had its' costs. Not least being that sense of just being another cog in the European machine. Albeit that Brexit was an expression of the resistance to that tendency that is still part of the UK's sense of identity.
@BaronReagan Well she loves her country - and I admire that. (For that matter, in fairness, there is much to admire about France. It is, after all, not a land without some distinguished history.)
My sense is that her pride in her country does not blind her to her nation's problems and I know she sees things in other nations - including the USA - that she admires. That is all to her credit.
Well, let me tell you, nobody knows graphs better than me, I've seen all the graphs, the best graphs. So, this graph, it's showing us who thinks their culture is the greatest, right? Tremendous idea. Now, Spain, low numbers, very low. They're just too busy with siestas to be arrogant, right? Fantastic nappers, the best.
And France, oh la la, France! The country of love, wine, and cheese, but not too high on the graph? Maybe they're just too busy saying "Oui, oui" to their own elegance, who knows?
But Greece, Greece is at the top! The Greeks, they gave us democracy, gyros, and now this - they're the champions of cultural pride! Maybe it's all that history, the Acropolis, Zeus, Hercules... or maybe it's just the feta cheese. Who can resist feta cheese?
So, am I surprised? No way, this graph is just another amazing episode in the reality show we call global culture. And let's face it, every country thinks they're the best at something, even if it's just making graphs about it!
Sweden has taken in the most people in Europe.. so many aren't biological Swedish in Sweden. France and Spain has strong culture that is looked up to in the Western world. And the eastern world yeah... you know
I think Belgium's result is very low lol. But I explain this by the fact that Belgians have a rivalry between them lol , you should first come to love each other between Flemish and Walloon and then maybe a national pride will be born lol
I'm more surprised by the low countries on the list. France and Spain are entitled to more ego wrt to their cultures.
When I was going to France I was "warned" the people were rude and stuff like that but it just wasn't true. There was quite a difference between people in Paris and elsewhere in France however. I think you have made comments on Parisians Julie :)
Had I gone elsewhere first and then to Paris, it is possible I might have thought them unfriendly in comparison but I think they were more matter of fact and business like. Quite possibly tourists are being arrogant and expecting silver service.
I agree with you. In fact, I'm not surprised by Spain. Because I've noticed that, strangely enough, the Spanish don't even seem to be nostalgic for their past greatness.
But I was still surprised by France's results. But I think that, in reality, most people have an image of France that is not the true face of today's France.
Indeed, I think, for example, that France was certainly the most arrogant country of in the World in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, but that started to change afterwards.
Could it be that the past is unpleasant and people are declining to look back? The Spanish Civil War was brutal. France had a bad 20th century in the first half. Sweden is low. Belgium, Holland and interesting difference between the Baltic states. but generally low.
Portugal is high cw Spain. If it wasn't for Sweden (it was last beaten up too long ago) I might believe this the past is unpleasant so don't look back conjecture.
France culture/history is promoted is not? We've talked of immigrants being required to take on French culture. If 14%age points slipped over it would make France 50%. Are there enough immigrants to account for 14%age points?
ancient Greece is pretty much a synonym of culture... and so is ancient Rome
now Spain... it's pretty much a melting pot so any sort of "national" identity has been diluted long time ago or maybe they never even had it
Spain today is what they call "a nation of nations" with a few different cultures and to a some point divided... many of them won't even call themself Spaniards but something else
Sometimes yes. Many, like Italians and Swiss should celebrate their cultural richness. The USA is rich but we don't have much culture. Other nations ruin themselves by emulating us. But many nations are collapsing culturally under a Mohammedan invasion. They have reason to rate themselves low. They have given up.
I'm not surprised the French are so low. Even if they think it, they won't admit it. Greece kind of surprised me, 'cuz they certainly don't show it, though they aren't wrong. I'm surprised Italy is only 47%. I thought it would be number 1😂 UK and Ireland also surprised me that they're high. Wonder why they left off so many Balkan countries.
I'd love to see where Egypt, India, Turkey and the US lie. And I still don't believe that Italy is THAT low😂
No, they lie because they're supposed to be humble. But I heard most French people know their country isn't perfect. And I've noticed it's always the shittiest people that think so highly of themselves, which is why I'm not surprised to see Russia and Romania rank so high. And I just noticed Georgia and Armenia are on there too, and I'm honestly not surprised by their rating either. Greeks at least walk the talk, so they might be the only exception.
I wonder where the Romanian arrogance comes from. On this site I spoke to a Romanian and to believe this guy, most modern inventions were invented by Romanians WTF ๐คฃ
Why am I not surprised? Romanians have always had a bad reputation in Europe and still do to this day. And they still claim that they're called Romanians, because they're direct descendants of ancient Romans๐ There's a large Romanian community in my town and these people are quite something. They have a complex๐
Doesn't surprise me. If you ignore the few high and low numbers, the rest are basically 50-50, meaning half of the people like their country and half don't. Seems reasonable to me, like flipping a coin.
Just because you didnโt study or read about our ancient history, doesnโt mean we donโt have it. Not that surprising if you look at our location, which is very close to where the very first ancient cultures appeared.
We have quite long history and a rich culture of our own.
So, I donโt understand the recognition of Armenia and ignorance about Georgiaโฆ If anything, It was always Georgia that was the cultural center of Caucasia.
I meant no offense to Georgia, LaFemme. I'm sure it does have long history and a rich culture. Of course. I guess I just never heard it mentioned much, other than in relation to the USSR and Russia. I'll have to do some research.
Home > Society & Politics > Questions > Are you surprised by the results of this graph, about the number of people who think their cultures are superior to other nations?
Girl's Behavior 
Guy's Behavior 
Flirting 
Dating 
Relationships 
Fashion & Beauty 
Health & Fitness 
Marriage & Weddings 
Shopping & Gifts 
Technology & Internet 
Break Up & Divorce 
Education & Career 
Entertainment & Arts 
Family & Friends 
Food & Beverage 
Hobbies & Leisure 
Other 
Religion & Spirituality 
Society & Politics 
Sports 
Travel 
Trending & News 
Anonymous(30-35)
