Janteloven: Why People Hate You Because You Stand Out

People have many contradictions. One of these is not being able to appreciate the abilities of others, without feeling threatened or bothered by them. This is not the same as envy. This is the law of the roost .

The Jante Law shows us that people who differ too much in one area create hatred from others. This hatred cannot be called envy. Rather, it has to do with  the success of others making their own limitations more visible and prominent.

The term is also found in other countries. In English, for example, it is known as “tall poppy syndrome”. The logic behind that name is simply that one cuts down the flowers that grow faster than the rest so that some do not lose when compared.

Where does this law come from?

Although the Jante law got its name in Aksel Sandemose’s book, A refugee crosses his trail, some would say that the Jante law has its roots back to Aristotle. According to the book of Herodotus, the ruler sent a messenger to ask the adviser Thrasybulos for advice on the best way to keep control of the empire. The messenger asked Thrasybulos, but  he just started walking around the field. Each time he found a straw that was taller than the rest, he cut off the top and threw it to the ground. But he did not say a word.

When the message came back to the ruler, he told about the counselor’s strange behavior, and the ruler understood what it all meant. He interpreted it to mean that he should take the life of everyone who grew past everyone else. If the ruler stopped the best and most successful, his power would remain unique. No one would question it.

Janteloven in today’s society

That tyranny does not allow the emergence of outstanding people is obvious. Their superiority would have threatened those in power. In politics, it is very common to try to discredit those who try to create change or ask questions about the established. That said, the Jantel Act is not just about politics.

In daily life we ​​can all see that we are encouraged to separate from others. At the same time, we must stay within certain fixed limits. These branches tell us what it is that makes us successful, for example. For example, it is not always the case that the employee of the month is the one who grew the most or came up with the best suggestions for change. Often the employee of the month is just the person who completed the correct tasks.

But that in itself is not a problem. The plant that has grown here the longest would not be cut at the root. It has only done what the gardener wanted! On the other hand: If someone gets up and down for reasons other than what is considered correct, it will lead to dissatisfaction.

Janteloven works in two ways

The Jante Act creates consequences in two dimensions. One is what we have already mentioned. There is a natural tendency not to allow someone to stand out too much as it creates insecurity or a feeling of being threatened. Therefore, those who stand out will be criticized. A lot. Or we expect extra from them. A third possibility is to portray their abilities as less valuable.

The other consequence of the Jantel law is that it makes people afraid to stand out. Because of the things we have already mentioned, people learn that standing out involves risk. Risk of what, you ask? Risk of being rejected, questioned and criticized.

Therefore, many people assume that the correct thing is not to stand out at any cost. Therefore, some keep their heads low and hate the thought of being noticed. Somehow they end up being trained not to challenge the existing. This is of course a shame as many important abilities are lost. Genuine talent is left behind and success is overlooked.