Part 3: Pride
❓1. Why do some achievements feel more meaningful than others?
Because the ones that truly matter are the ones we’ve poured our heart and soul into. It’s not just about ticking a box — it’s about all the behind-the-scenes struggles like personal growth, sleepless nights, and moments where you had to pluck up the courage to keep going. When you’ve worked consistently, burned the midnight oil, and sacrificed your privileges just to make something happen, that outcome feels like a part of who you are. It’s less about the spotlight and more about what it took to get there.
🔹 Từ vựng hay & Nghĩa tiếng Việt:
- poured our heart and soul into – dồn hết tâm huyết
- behind-the-scenes struggles – những nỗ lực phía sau hậu trường
- personal growth – trưởng thành cá nhân
- pluck up the courage – lấy hết can đảm
- worked consistently – làm việc đều đặn
- burned the midnight oil – thức khuya cày cuốc
- sacrificed your privileges – hy sinh quyền lợi cá nhân
- less about the spotlight – không cần hào nhoáng
❓2. Do people today take pride in different things compared to the past?
Oh, absolutely. Back then, people used to take pride in being an obedient child or a compatible marriage partner, especially in collectivistic cultures like ours where family values are held in high regard. These days though, especially in more individualistic societies, folks are more likely to celebrate personal achievements, early success, or being completely self-made. It’s less about the community and more about what you can accomplish — and how fast you can build from the ground up.
🔹 Từ vựng hay & Nghĩa tiếng Việt:
- take pride in – tự hào về
- obedient child – đứa con biết nghe lời
- compatible marriage partner – người bạn đời phù hợp
- collectivistic cultures – văn hóa đề cao tập thể
- family values – giá trị gia đình
- held in high regard – được đánh giá cao
- individualistic societies – xã hội cá nhân chủ nghĩa
- personal achievements – thành tựu cá nhân
- early success – thành công sớm
- self-made – tự lực, không nhờ ai
- build from the ground up – gây dựng từ con số 0
❓3. Is it more satisfying to achieve something alone or as part of a team?
That’s a tough one. I think it depends on your personal values. For me, there’s something truly special about collective goals, especially when everyone’s pulling in the same direction. It teaches you to be a good team player, to compromise, and to celebrate as a unit. But I also get why people feel deep pride when they’ve done something entirely on their own — especially when they’re self-made or come from a background without much family backing. Both are valid, I suppose. It all comes down to what kind of growth you’re chasing — tangible success, or emotional development.
🔹 Từ vựng hay & Nghĩa tiếng Việt:
- personal values – giá trị cá nhân
- collective goals – mục tiêu tập thể
- pulling in the same direction – cùng hướng tới mục tiêu
- good team player – người hợp tác tốt
- deep pride – niềm tự hào sâu sắc
- self-made – tự thân lập nghiệp
- family backing – sự hậu thuẫn từ gia đình
- tangible success – thành công hữu hình
- emotional development – phát triển cảm xúc/nội tâm
❓7. How does culture shape what people feel proud of?
Culture plays a massive role, honestly. In countries with collectivistic values, things like respect for elders, being hospitable, or upholding family honour are highly valued. You’re held in high regard if you’re a devoted son or daughter, or if you marry well. But in more individualistic cultures, you’re admired for being independent, ambitious, or chasing your own dreams. So yeah, whether you feel proud of being a team player or a self-starter depends a lot on the cultural soil you grew up in.
🔹 Từ vựng hay & Nghĩa tiếng Việt:
- collectivistic values – giá trị tập thể
- respect for elders – tôn trọng người lớn tuổi
- hospitable – hiếu khách
- upholding family honour – giữ thể diện gia đình
- highly valued – được coi trọng
- held in high regard – được kính trọng
- individualistic cultures – văn hóa cá nhân chủ nghĩa
- independent – độc lập
- ambitious – tham vọng
- team player – người làm việc nhóm tốt
- self-starter – người chủ động, tự khởi nghiệp
