Wow, a good thread sure went to crap fast.
Arrogance by definition is unattractive regardless of your country affiliation. Even if your country is the best at something, humility is a better personal quality and shows confidence much more than arrogance.
For those who disagree, look at the definition of arrogance. From Merriam: Arrogance is an insulting, overbearing pride or an inflated sense of one’s own superiority, importance, or abilities. It involves acting as if one is better or more knowledgeable than others, often leading to dismissive or disrespectful behavior. Common synonyms include haughtiness, vanity, insolence, and hubris.
That definition doesn't leave any room for "It's OK for me to act this way because I AM the best."
IMO it does. From your own definition... "acting" as if one is better or more knowledgeable.....what if they're not acting? What if they ARE better or more knowledgeable than others? Where did all this humility nonsense come from, anyways? Is it a byproduct of religion? (Where are you, Savell, lol). IMO lack of pride in oneself (and one's country), is completely crippling this nation! When I was young, people were ashamed to take handouts from the government..... because they had PRIDE. Now people are being taught that pride, ego, and arrogance are dirty words. I call BS.
If a person (or country, or company) is good at something, and does it to the best of their ability, they should be proud of that. And if they are, that pride will show through in their character and people will call them arrogant. And the people calling them arrogant do so because they know they are incapable of doing what that person (or country or company) has done with the skill with which they have done it. In other words, they are jealous. So instead of working to improve their own skills, it is easier for them to dismiss someone as being arrogant or egotistical. Then they call for humility, humbleness, altruism.... not because they care about any of those things, not really.... they just want the people that are superior themselves to stop pointing out that superiority and hide it under humility......so that THEY can feel better about their own failures and inferiority.
IMO it's toxic........ and it starts with giving everyone trophies in grade school even if they fail. Those who excel are being taught that those who do not are equal to them. And god forbid those who excel express pride in their accomplishments, for fear of being saw as egotistical or arrogant.
So, I'll have to disagree with ya, Ed. I will continue to appreciate ego and arrogance so long as the person expressing those traits can back up their claims.