I'm not necessarily proud of anything, and I am perfectly happy.

I am not arguing that these people are not motivated by the value they put on their culture, but I wouldn't call it "pride." We are just arguing over definition. Couldn't someone not of that culture still make that kind of music and enjoy that culture? Absolutely, and it is the value they put on their culture that drives those singers.

Regardless of whether this is true or not, this is simply not an argument/statement you want to use when your are in a debate/conversation/whateveryoucallit. How are people supposed to understand you?

That's the same conclusion I've come to. I mean, if someone said "I love pizza", I wouldn't argue with them and say that "you don't REALLY love pizza. You just enjoy eating it and think it tastes good". You just see the definition of pride differently than I do. I am not as severe about it. I went to my favorite site (Thesaurus.com) and these four definitions came up: "self-esteem", "arrogance", "treasure", and "take pleasure in accomplishment". Treasure is the one that I was using.

It's fairly easy to understand... it's just a bit vague. I suppose I would rather mediate this debate and keep moving it in the right direction than actively participate in it. So, disregard that statement.

So, to start us off in the right direction, let us cover CanwllCorfe's four definitions of pride. Debate the negative/positive aspects of each, define it in detail (in the most objective way possible), etc -- "self-esteem" seems to be an appropriate one to begin with.

I am satisfied with who I am, but not regularly proud of myself.
I am sometimes very proud of friends of mine who achieve something, especially when they do so 'despite' other stuff. No matter what.

I don't get pride for countries and so on. That just doesn't work for me.

I think it good to be proud of accomplishments, even if they aren't necessarily yours (your country, job, family heritage, etc). It's not bragging or taking credit for something you didn't do, but I feel like it's important to recognize positive contributions and feel good about them. I'm proud of tons of people and things in my life, even though I recognize they are not my own accomplishments. It isn't all inclusive either, I can be proud of certain aspects and ashamed or indifferent to others. Blind pride in something though isn't good, there has to be a reason behind it or it's meaningless.

In another aspect of pride, I feel like people are sometimes too proud to take a job that might be loowed down upon by their social peers. Or too 'proud' to shop at a surplus store with generic brands. In my life, my mother taught me a long time ago when to be proud and when to not be. She is proud of the life she has put around her family and the obstacles she has overcome as a person and us as a family. At the same time, she isn't too proud to use 3 million coupons and buy generic brands so she can save a few hundred bucks every time she gets groceries.

If that makes sense.

I am a proud person to a degree, but I am not proud enough of my achievements as I should be. I have a brilliant education and I need to be proud of myself for it.

I don't like asking things of people or admitting I'm failing at something, so that is the negative part of my pride.

Pride is necessary. Otherwise, people around you might take advantage of your low self-esteem and make you feel horrible. But your pride should not turn into arrogance. So there needs to be a balance.

Well that's perfectly put what I would have said.