While the seniority mentality is still entrenched (psychologically and legally) within the public sector (barring exceptions), in the private sector, as in any other economic model similar to Malta’s, meritocracy is certainly the rule.

I think that the ‘societal infrastructure’ does allow you to move on ‘without support from above’ (as it does to any enterprising individual in nearly any economic model in the world).

I quote from personal experience, wherein following the end of my formal studies, I joined the civil service, resigned in 1997 to join a private company as a manager, wherein I eventually bought the same company where I was employed, in 2000.

And during all this there was certainly no ‘support from above’ (except for maybe the supra-natural, but this I cannot prove). My point is that individuals with no inherited wealth or connections can make it (even if modestly, as in my case) in the private sector.

On the other hand, I would like to say that to invest your resources in the private sector in Malta is not exactly like a walk in the park, but even so, in truth, a lot of people have generated considerable wealth for themselves and for others in Malta over these last two to three decades.

Notwithstanding this, my wish still remains that one day the Maltese civil service and political class will rid themselves of the mediocre mentality of perpetuating red-tape and bureaucracy which eventually hinders private initiative which in the end serves to generate and distribute wealth.

Baxxter, I can assure you I am not here on a career trip. Had I sought an EU career I would have enrolled as a perpetual fonctionaire and moved on to the masturbating pastures of the Commission at Berlaymont (not that such pastures don’t exist in the people’s congress, mind you, but at Berlaymont there are juicier opportunities for a better retirement).

Not only have I not bothered with the career ladder, I am seeking the best opportunity to return to Malta. I’ll let you know when I’m back for good. I wouldn’t want your hara kiri on my conscience.

Let’s get real here, and give some examples. I think Kevin is a smug twat, and I’d rather commit hara kiri than spend five minutes in his company. But I envy his position, power, money and career potential. In this case, I have both the attitude AND the profile of a loser. It doesn’t mean I’d want to give even more power to Kevin (by electing him, for example).

I think you might be confusing real dissatisfaction with false gripes, Daphne. Gripes are a part of Maltese political sales spiel (“il-gvern qed jifnina, il-power station qed toqtolna, etc etc”). But they’re just conversation fillers. People don’t feel dissatisfied.

There was a survey in France a few months ago. Now France is the protest nation par excellence. It turned out that a full 75% or so of French people are happy, and that – get this – “they’re living their dream.” I suspect Malta might be the same. A happy nation of pretense dissatisfaction, with maybe a handful of losers.

Baxxter has a point. Some of the most honourable, dignified and knowledgeable people could be classified as ‘losers’.

[Daphne – ‘Loser’ is about attitude, not achievement. We all have different levels of achievement and different aspirations, but people can be divided into roughly three groups: losers, go-getters and those who just aren’t bothered. You will find all three types in every socio-economic group and all levels of wealth. In fact, some of the biggest losers I knew growing up had pots of money. The losers are the ones whining and feeling hard-done-by, and you’ll find them everywhere and in all occupations. On the other hand, one of the most appealing go-getters I know is a hotel concierge.]

But then again, success depends on one’s initial aims. Someone whose dream is to become a chief janitor can claim success if he retires as a storekeeper, whereas one who had aimed at owning his own business would be a total loser if he retires as the general manager of an enterprise he doesn’t own.

Loser attitude? – read the comments in timesofmalta.com anyday.

The Maltese approach is seniority, not meritocracy.

But this ‘loser’ classification is doubtful. I mean I’m the greatest loser on earth, but I’d never dream of voting Labour. And exactly how are these prominent Labourites ‘losers’? They all have highly-paid jobs, positions and connections in ‘Brassil’, flashy cars, trophy wives/girlfriends and the best prospects in the world. Oh yes, they lack class and intelligence, and they can’t spell or tie a Windsor knot, but I wouldn’t say they’re losers. They’ve been quite successful.

[Daphne – They’re not the ones who sit around and vote Labour. They’re they ones who make Labour work for them. And they stand out precisely because they’re the exception that proves the rule. From what I read here, I wouldn’t say you have a loser attitude – and we’re talking about attitude, not cars and jobs. You can be a cleaner and not have a loser attitude.]

It’s the reason Joseph Muscat is so popular. He is everything that your average Maltese chap aspires to be. OK maybe not in the WAGS department, but hey, the marriage is still going strong.

[Daphne – Not your average Maltese chap, but your mittilkless chap: the male version of Mona Farrugia. I know lots of average chaps who would rather commit hara kiri than be thought of as someone like Joseph Muscat.]