Crab Mentality
By Bluerain25
@Bluerain25 (812)
Philippines
August 6, 2010 12:03am CST
Crab Mentality is defined in wikipedia as "sometimes referred to as crabs in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, Neither should you". the metaphor refers to a pots of crabs. Singly, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but they grab each other in useless "king of hill" competitions which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise."
It just came to my thinking just recently. Where i can see people being jealous of what others can have or what others can achieve. They try to pull down the one who is rising up for their personal reasons. Might be that the crabs that tried to pull down the other crab the it see's going up is afraid that this ne will surpass them or that they might be let behind.
I strongly disagree to this attitude. It's not healthy that somebody is jealous with others. We should be thankful that he/she is achieving his/her goal and strive to achieve ours too wihtout stepping others foot. I dont know why others are just happy to see their fellowmen fall down. Can't we just be happy for what we are having? This short-sighted, non-constructive way of thinking should be stopped. Let's start from within ourselves. We should be happy and strive to be contented for what we have and what we are. It doesnt matter if they go ahead of us, soon we'll be there where we want. It is more fulfilling to see others up the ladder by knowing that you have contibuted to their success rather that see them fall knowing that it is you that causes it.
Amen LOL!
7 responses
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
6 Aug 10
Not to generalize but crab mentality is actually one of the ugly traits of Filipinos. In fairness, not all are that jealous but it is sometimes really apparent. I'm not saying only Filipinos have this mentality. Just go check your neighborhood. Or yourself.
My friends abroad feel bad about some fellow Filipinos because instead of building them up, they are the ones who will find a way that they get fired from their work. They report every single mistake which could have been forgivable and tolerable.
It's almost like they don't want any new ones around. They want to keep the provileges for themselves. That is just so bad.
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
In filipino cases yes i do agree, even if im a filipino but this is the traits that most of us have or are known to have. I can even remember one of my relative in the US complaining that filipinos there are looking for TNT's(a fellow filipino that is overstaying)to report to the immigration, i think they got a prize for reporting. It's not bad to help authorities if the intentions are good but for the reason that they can get a reward, then thats another story. I seldom know anyone who do not have this traits. Even in our workplace we have lots of them here.
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
10 Aug 10
Well i am not really sure but the only way is to legalize their stay in the foriegn country where they are. But that would depends on how that specific country legalize foreigners. They should exit first then apply again for another entry visa. But this will take their time. Instead of working they have to go home and go back. Knowing how it costs them to undergo this process again, this might be the reason why they prefer to hide than to reapply. This process does not even ensure that they can be granted for another visa.
I've seen on TV i guess that was GMA news that a Helpline was formed to help these filipinos abroad called the DIAL HOPE. But it will be a long process. It involves negotiating with the immigration officials then the processing of the exit visa, return to the country and the processing of their return visa as official migrants or immigrants.
I just hope that this DIAL HOPE is still working aand they will be able to help lots of filipinos out there
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
7 Aug 10
Isn't there a way to help these Filipinos so they wouldn't have to be TNTs anymore?
@figurativeme (1089)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
I suppose people with crab mentality cannot be avoided. Misery truly loves company. I have encountered so many of them in my years at work and I have resisted their claws not too easily and often with bucketful of tears.
But they have their roles to play. They make you stronger and determined. Perhaps I am where I am now because of them, or better still, in spite of them. They should be pitied.
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
Hello figurative-you,:D Misery loves company. hmmmm you figure it out right, others dont want to see you happy because they are sad. It's gppd you take it positively. And i will just try to do that. Great one insight
@figurativeme (1089)
• Philippines
12 Aug 10
I love what you did to 'figurativeme' changing it to figurative-you. Hahaha
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
7 Aug 10
the Crab Mentality your talking about has really surfaced over the years much more then it use to be. some older people have even noticed the lack of encouragement and more of a Crab Mentality now of days. the word Crab Mentality is new to me but certainly not the meaning.
@ice0211350 (29)
• Philippines
10 Aug 10
Yes in fact you're right, it is when people forget to appreciate and encourage their team mates to strive harder in order prosper and to lift up their status in a certain community or group, but instead they do exactly the opposite of this due to jealousy and fear of being left behind and lack of appreciation of others achievements.
people with this kind of mentality are very selfish according to my own point of view and as what i see they don't know how to encourage others.
among us Filipinos this kind of mentality is very rampant sad to say but this is true, specially in the office this thing really exist, this kind of trait is one of the dark side among us Filipinos, but there are some who doesn't have this trait and lots of my friends and colleagues are free from this mentality. :)
@ice0211350 (29)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
so do I, it is a bitter reality that exist in our world, I really hate this kind of mentality, people with this kind of personality suffers in a mental disorder, why not be happy for the achievements of others they deserve it and its worth their hard work.
One question that bothers me every time when this idea comes in to my mind, "do people with this kind of mentality really feel happy after putting somebody down?" and what's the reward for doing or being like this?
in my own opinion people of this kind, really lack attention and has no contentment in life. They are really sick and really need counseling and worst of all I find this people not happy with their life.
no offense meant to those people who are guilty to this mentality it's my "own" opinion.
PS: delete this topic and consider yourself guilty of this mentality
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
What a bitter sweet refrain ice, i havent think of it as mental disorder. We dont know whats on their mind. If they keep it doing then they really did feel happy when they put somebody down. Maybe the feeling of triumph is a reward to them already. As to myself it wil never make me feel good not even better if i caused it to others. I might be having sleepless nights
@ice0211350 (29)
• Philippines
10 Aug 10
It's totally mental to be the cause of somebody's downfall, but what can we say we can't blame those people maybe that person has experience a bitter kind of environment and on the process he/she has developed a kind of system that would tell himself/herself that it's natural to put down others.
@trisun123 (36)
• Indonesia
6 Aug 10
well, i hate to admit this. but i have the symptoms of that "crab mentality".
a colleague of mine was entered my office later than i was. but then he could get the position that i'm so eager to get, not just because the position is having higher salary, but because the position is very much suitable with my skills.
later, i was promoted also into higher position, and with same salary as his, but deep in our heart we know that the positions are kinda "switched".
i should get his and he should get mine, according to our characteristics and skills.
well, he could get adapted to his position smoothly, while i'm not.
perhaps because of that "crab mentality" we're talking about.
i'm currently trying to accept this fate and believe that perhaps this is the best way for me.
sorry for long story, because i'm a bit mellow at the moment.
cheers
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
At least it's just a symptoms. You never do things that would put the other person at risk. In our workplace, being a new employee is very risky even if you are on higher positions. One bad comment and you will be under strict observations by your direct supervisor and HR personnel.
By trying to accept is one great effort you have made and you are strong enough to do so.
@magtibaygom (4858)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
It is true here in our place. Our village here is the biggest in all of the town of Ragay, province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. Since it is the biggest, I wonder why we have not yet been able to elect a representative councilor for our municipal council. The biggest reason I think is, people here don't vote for their neighbors who take risk in running for political seat in the municipal council. They don't want somebody will rise from among our ranks. People here want all of us to remain in the same rut. They missed the point that we need a representative so we can voice our concerns to the municipal mayor and the council. I think this is a clear example of "crab mentality".
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
6 Aug 10
Well this is just bad. I hope that your fellowmen will soon realize it.
