Too much pride?

Wednesday, July 4th, 2007 | Random

Often I think the Swiss are too proud for their own good! If anything that has Switzerland attached to it wins or succeeds ‘we’ are the best. Today’s headline: We remain a ‘power of the ocean’! What are we, the new British Empire or what? Ok, so apparently this year’s America’s Cup final was exciting - I didn’t watch - but does the win of one team make a whole nation great? And by the way, the team isn’t actually Swiss, it is only tagged Swiss because of the owner - who isn’t exactly what I’d call ‘homegrown’.

Bertarelli was the only Swiss aboard the winning boat. Born in Italy, the biotech billionaire with an MBA from Harvard he put together a winning team made up of six Kiwis, three Americans, two Italians, and one each from Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and Spain.

Bertarelli’s formula was to set up a smooth, corporate-style team drawing on the world’s best talent. Bertarelli even compared the team to the nation of Switzerland, in the center of Europe.

“We had to be open to other cultures,” he said. “We grow bigger through diversity.”

Hah! If only people would take the same view of other cultures when it actually comes to living with them in everyday life!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind people that aren’t truly Swiss being successful for Swiss teams - but I DO mind the media and the average citizen getting all puffed up because of that - claiming the success for the nation (who didn’t do anything) and by doing so taking away the merit of the actual achievers.

2 Comments to Too much pride?

Sana
July 6, 2007

Unfortunately, hubris amounts of overweening pride is not just limited to the Swiss. Us Brits are guilty, if not, the worst perpetrators.

As an actual avid spectator of a few competitive sports (football & tennis), your point is what frustrates me, as a fan, to no end.

When it comes to national sports, the Brits have gang mentality, a quite literally ‘us against the world’ frame of mind.
It is that very line of thought that undermines the beauty, skill, and dedication put in by the individual athletes in their respective spot.

The laughable hypocrisy is also quite amusing. To see the tabloid press and the average Briton champion a 2nd Generation Brit, someone from a race or *gasp* another culture because of the mere fact they are playing for Britain - the very same people that they have no problem blaming for the current state of society.

I myself, support whoever the hell I enjoy watching. The athlete(s) whose dedication and love for their game is apparant, who makes chosen field all the more exciting!
While its Blasphemy here, I support the French national team in football - I have such love and respect for their style of game, and for incredible footballers and managers they’ve produced throughout the years.
Tennis? Roger Federer of course! (a Swiss! Followed closely by Bjorn Borg - a Swede) The fact there are still Brits who dismiss his sheer talent is absolutely ridiculous (as is still having a shred of hope for Tim Henman) - He is on the track of becoming the greatest tennis player, ever, if not already surpassing that. And to not respect and admire his or any other athletes skill & achievement because of their nationality is as disgusting as supporting someone for their very nationality.

Fuck. I’ve ranted a lot! Ever so sorry, I shouldn’t let loose on the keyboard on matters that piss me off!

Anca
July 9, 2007

Well, the swiss aren’t the only ones who are this way. I still remember the line ‘Wir sind papst!’ in german magazines! So, you’re not the only ones ;)

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