Can someone explain 'crab mentality'?

For the record, crab- mentality doesn't apply to the Filipinos only. It applies to anyone who exhibits such attitude. Crab - mentality is only a term to define the above-mentioned details. It was brought about by the spaniards through colonialism and passed it over through generations. As for your additional question, I can relate to what your telling. In general sense, he is indeed guilty of being a "crab - mental" by putting his heritage down. He is like wanting to be someone he cannot at the expense of where he came from, which is his Filipino lineage. Aside from being crab - mental, what he really is a pretentious person. Why make being a Filipino a reason, when he who really has a problem. This only shows that he doesn't love himself. He cannot deny the fact he is a Filipino. If he hate it so much, he cannot do anything about it. Instead, he should focus his energy in accepting it in himself that he is a Filipino and being proud of where he came from. As a result, he'll come to love himself and he'll be accepted by everyone without any prejudice, with his head held-up high. ;)

basicly, crawling over each other and clawing your way to the top without regard for any others. The term relates mostly to being self centered or greed because you will do anything to get what you want

Crab mentality means the tendency of some, in fact, many people not to want their friends, neighbors, even members of their own families to get ahead and be more successful than them. Simple jealousy. Observe a bunch of crabs you just buy from the market. They tend to hold on to other crabs and, thus, prevent these other crabs from breaking free (and getting ahead with their fellow crabs!). Same analogy.

zzz.. one crab wants to outsmart another crab by stealing my can of... hmmm... beer... zzz...

"crab mentality" is also called "talangka mentality" talangka means crab... hehe (duh>) anyways, its like this -- there are group of people running towards a finish line, they all have same goal, same faith, they all have the same thingys to go to the finish line. you expect them to help each other, but they don't! when one is about to go to the finish line, others will pull that person because they want themselves to succeed not that person... gets? it is called crab mentality bec. crabs does it that way...

Have you seen a crab walk or crawl? See how slow its movements are and how it sometimes changes its directions - sideways or on a horizontal but crooked line? The mentality of some Filipinos is compared to a crab. Slow in mind, in his way of thinking and in his decisiveness. And in the direction to which he takes his life, tottering on its feet and wavering with indecision. The "crab mentality" has been a cultural defect that has not been corrected; it continues up to the present and produces slovenliness even in the young.

sometimes filipinos use this "crab mentality" as an excuse for not doing their best. they feel treathened somebody will pull them down anyway. of course, i am filipino and i am happy for what i am. i continue to wallop all my way forward. tell him, have no fear like the Pacman!

I think this will help. :)

It is the tendency of a person to pull down and step on someone who was above him in order to get ahead of the competition.If you observe the crabs in a hole or container,they do that to get out of the hole.