[bvanslyke]

It makes you much more popular with the majority, sadly.

[hueving]

That has nothing to do with it. People are critical of people that represent them in some manner.

[jeremysmyth]

Not always. This is highly culturally dependent. For example, it's widely felt that Irish people (actual Irish, not Irish-American) are critical of other Irish people who succeed: "Look at him. Who does he think he is? Is he better than us?" etc. ...whereas it's widely felt that Americans admire other Americans who have succeeded.