who wants to be a millionare!

i am reading an interesting book on irrational behaviour. there are some great incidents that the authors have covered in the book. here's one on the who wants to be a millionare programme telecasted in France, USA, and Russia.

in France, this contestant Henri was doing quite well and one of the questions he was asked was, "what revolves around the earth?" options were, moon, venus, sun and mars. he didn't knew the answer so he went ahead with audience poll. more than 50 percent people said sun. Henri was out of the contest.

It is not that the French audience did not know the answer, it's just that they thought if Henri could not answer such an elementary question, he did not deserved to continue and take away the prize money!

in the US, people do not have any problems with anyone winning. Infact, they almost always help the participant.

in Russia the audience is known for giving mixed responses, and most of the time it's difficult to pick up the right answer. they generally do not like anyone winning money, and huge amount in particular. their decision making has roots in the past.

in older Russia, people were interdependent. sharing things with one another, lending a helping hand to people in need. they considered everyone to be equal. most people follow the same principle in modern life as well. therefore, anyone winning and becoming richer than the general mass is not acceptable. and so the game is not so popular in Russia.