In his 1933 novel, A refugee crosses his tracks, Norwegian/Danish author Aksel Sandemose created the concept known as The Jante Law, based on the portrayal of the small Danish town Jante; where similar to the American comedy classic Cheers- is a place “where everybody knows your name…and there always glad you came. “
The funny thing about the show Cheers was that by knowing your name when you walked into the bar, patrons and employees were free to personalize their statements on how big of a dumbass you were.
Jante Law is based 10 separate but somewhat repetitive rules which could be best summed up as, “The top 10 things you hear in a club right before someone smashes a glass bottle over your head.”
1. Don't think that you are special.
2. Don't think that you are of the same standing as us.
3. Don't think that you are smarter than us.
4. Don't fancy yourself as being better than us.
5. Don't think that you know more than us.
6. Don't think that you are more important than us.
7. Don't think that you are good at anything.
8. Don't laugh at us.
9. Don't think that anyone cares about you.
10. Don't think that you can teach us anything
Nordic countries such as Sweden and Denmark have adopted this symbiotic, unwritten cultural code of conduct to condemn the idea of “self elevation” over social equality and fairness to all.
Oh the irony of it all…
Question…Does social equality just spontaneously happen?
If so, why do we nominate leaders and draw up laws?
Who needs them?
And how could we possibly choose between candidates?
They are after all, no better than each other.
The American Boys Club tinkered with a similar notion 230 years ago:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Of course by men, they were referring to scared, White, English, Protestant men who fled England like cocky teenagers with the notion that no-one could tell them what to do. And by self-evident, they meant, there was plenty of land for every scared, White, English, Protestant man to live like a king without having to covet thy neighbors shit…Women, Blacks, Animals, or anything that doesn’t look or sound like us need not apply.
The Jante Law could also be described as “The Reason you never move into your girlfriends house.” Your girlfriend has her house decorated the way she wants, and everything is “in just the right place,” so don’t even think of offering your decorative suggestions or bringing over your favorite chair- you couldn’t possibly have anything “better” to offer. Enjoy your home…get familiar...and take your feet off the sofa!!!
It is merely my opinion that Nordic countries often show a far more progressive stance in terms of social acceptance on many issues, however, “equal” is the fable we tell our children to cushion the punches of “bullies” as we navigate through the real world of competition.
Believing that no one is better than someone else reeks of insecurities and breeds an idea of contentment. Being content is on par with being retired, and being retired is the place you generally reach right before death.
The world as we know it has been built on the shoulders of individuals who have dared to ask, “how can I/We do this better.” Maybe the Jante Law should be modified to read, “excellence is to be embraced, jack-asses need not apply.”
