The Economist reposted an opinion poll by Pew Research about the stereotypes European people had about each others.
The Greeks stick out of the lot by their lack of objectivity when asked for their place inside Europe. While all Europeans agreed that the Germans were the most trustworthy nation, the Greeks saw themselves as the most trustworthy nation, and the Germans as the least trustworthy. The general consensus among other Europeans was that the Greeks and Italians (or occasionally the French) were the least trustworthy.
Interestingly, the Italians recognised themselves as the least trustworthy nation, completely at odds with the Greeks who constantly think of themselves as the best and brightest. Whatever the question, the Greeks always voted for themselves when asked about qualities, and for others (usually Germany) for shortcomings. I don't know if the Greeks realise the irony of proclaiming themselves the least arrogant nation in Europe.
This is nothing new though. In the 2012 poll, the Greeks considered themselves to be the most hardworking Europeans, while the majority saw them as the least hardworking.
So why is it that the Greeks have such a hard time being objective about themselves and fall so easily in the childish habit of boasting about themselves, especially when it is not deserved ?
The Greeks stick out of the lot by their lack of objectivity when asked for their place inside Europe. While all Europeans agreed that the Germans were the most trustworthy nation, the Greeks saw themselves as the most trustworthy nation, and the Germans as the least trustworthy. The general consensus among other Europeans was that the Greeks and Italians (or occasionally the French) were the least trustworthy.
Interestingly, the Italians recognised themselves as the least trustworthy nation, completely at odds with the Greeks who constantly think of themselves as the best and brightest. Whatever the question, the Greeks always voted for themselves when asked about qualities, and for others (usually Germany) for shortcomings. I don't know if the Greeks realise the irony of proclaiming themselves the least arrogant nation in Europe.
This is nothing new though. In the 2012 poll, the Greeks considered themselves to be the most hardworking Europeans, while the majority saw them as the least hardworking.
So why is it that the Greeks have such a hard time being objective about themselves and fall so easily in the childish habit of boasting about themselves, especially when it is not deserved ?