Well. In class today we filled out some stereotypes today, we had to give different traits to different nationalities and I thought it would be fun if I asked you guys if you could agree/disagree with the list my group personally made. And if you could perhaps add some new ones.
Additionaly, I guess I dont really believe in stereotypes personally. But I think they are fun, and if anything its a way to show people that we dont think everything about them is negative, and while we see flaws we also see a lot of positive traits. That being said, Americans being talkative can be damn annoying. I mean I had a cashier talk to me for several minutes, which wouldnt be a problem if there wasnt a line of 15 people behind me that blamed me for it. xD
So on top of perhaps making your own list or arguing why the list I/groupies made is wrong/right. Maybe we should talk about stereotypes and whenever they bring more harm or gain to the world. Are they still neccesary in a world where we can easily learn about other cultures? I mean, I was 'this' close to writing Big-nosed under Italians just because the teacher had done the same. This is different from my usual posts as it is not really as serious. Although I do feel it is neccesary now and then to show others that we dont dislike them.
I find the Japanese to have a great sense of humor. Just look at the many great things that have come from Japan. How can you think of Pokemon, Mothra, Godzilla and think them serious? Oh and the burping at the table. Too funny! I also find them very innovative. Great cutting edge designs and ideas.
The British I think swear too much, and tend to have a mean streak.
Americans are sarcastic, which I think does not always come across well in text.
I find Italians to be passionate, and often superstitious (unrelated to their religion), more along the lines of good luck and bad luck.
I find Italians to be passionate, and often superstitious (unrelated to their religion), more along the lines of good luck and bad luck.
And racist! Don't forget racist! Anyways, Americans are fat and lazy, the Japanese find marrying pillows acceptable, the French are homosexual sissies and the Dutch are all weed smoking bastards. Aren't stereotypes fun?
I'm not sure what it says that it is a stereotype that the French are French, but not that any other nationality is their own stereotype. How does that work?
Hold on... American: Hard Working, Lazy ...are you contradicting yourself with these "stereotypes" deliberately... Seriously your doing it over and over again.
Per word you contradict yourself more so than the bible.
...
British... you forgot about our Stiff Upper Lip attitude. Also Well dressed? Bloody hell compared to the Italians we really really aren't. Italians wear their wealth.
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The only one I want to do is with Germans.
Hard Working, Methodical, Tunnel Vision.
These people are the inheritors of the Prussian Method xD Historically the Germans have been damn good at whatever they do and dedicated to boot but not greatly creative. They follow the given way its done but don't think outside of the box too much. This stereotype was born out of... Prussia and then both wars where the Allies tricked the Germans into winning the war.
Hold on... American: Hard Working, Lazy ...are you contradicting yourself with these "stereotypes" deliberately... Seriously your doing it over and over again.
Per word you contradict yourself more so than the bible.
...
British... you forgot about our Stiff Upper Lip attitude. Also Well dressed? Bloody hell compared to the Italians we really really aren't. Italians wear their wealth.
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The only one I want to do is with Germans.
Hard Working, Methodical, Tunnel Vision.
These people are the inheritors of the Prussian Method xD Historically the Germans have been damn good at whatever they do and dedicated to boot but not greatly creative. They follow the given way its done but don't think outside of the box too much. This stereotype was born out of... Prussia and then both wars where the Allies tricked the Germans into winning the war.
They work hard in general, but they are known as lazy. When I think America I think businessman, long workhours. But I also think, Take the cars everyday. Eat out often. Sorta fat. But I still think they work hard, I think you can be lazy, and work hard. At the same time. Now, if you think thats a contradiction, and they cancel eachother out. Then that is your opinion my friend and I shall not try to tell you that is is wrong.
I also think Danish are easy-going. But more in the way of being careless, they are still reserved though. You arent gonna see a Danish cashier talk your ear off if you dont know them.
Or the Japaneese, I get the feel that they should strike up a conversation for politeness, and because they were raised to do so. But they still have to follow certain rules like, bowing as a greeting(not giving hands) And address people with surname instead of the actual name. In such a way I think they arent avoiding conversations with anyone, which means to me that they are outgoing. But they still remain serious and disciplined even in an event like, meeting someone on the street. A place where say, an american talking to a tourist would probably be a lot less formal.
Aris Khandr: I'm not sure what it says that it is a stereotype that the French are French, but not that any other nationality is their own stereotype. How does that work?
Spelling mistake, its fixed now. Thank you for pointing it out.
Comando96: British... you forgot about our Stiff Upper Lip attitude. Also Well dressed? Bloody hell compared to the Italians we really really aren't. Italians wear their wealth.
also the kinky sex. sure its all "stiff upper lip and privacy" but get in the bedroom and its all "banana is the safeword..." :P
as for Americans i don't see them as particularly "Tolerant" not when intolerance on several societal levels (anti-gay, anti-non christian, anti-immigrant) is a major part of the political platform of one of the parties within their two party system.
I find Italians to be passionate, and often superstitious (unrelated to their religion), more along the lines of good luck and bad luck.
And racist! Don't forget racist! Anyways, Americans are fat and lazy, the Japanese find marrying pillows acceptable, the French are homosexual sissies and the Dutch are all weed smoking bastards. Aren't stereotypes fun?
"stereotypes" aren't always negative and are in fact cognitively necessary for our minds to quantifiably judge large groups of people.
so for example its "stereotypes" that allows me to judge that if i found myself within a large group of Christians i would be safer than if i found myself amongst a large group of hell angels.
does that mean ALL Christians are relatively safe company and all hells angels are not ? no.
Sleekit: also the kinky sex. sure its all "stiff upper lip and privacy" but get in the bedroom and its all "banana is the safeword..." :P
Oh when not in Public (or drunk) we are dreadful in those regards... or at least I have gathered from everyone I know. I have one of those faces where people feel that they can trust me with many things... I wish I didn't have that kind of face xD
Lil devils x: The British I think swear too much, and tend to have a mean streak.
Too much?
No, everyone else just doesn't swear to their full fucking potential :)
The Thick of It :)
Aris Khandr: I'm not sure what it says that it is a stereotype that the French are French, but not that any other nationality is their own stereotype. How does that work?
Its a way of saying there are a lack of existing words to describe how strange they are and therefore they are just described as French... its an insult most times you say things on this line xD
Comando96: No, everyone else just doesn't swear to their full fucking potential :)
as a Scot i fully concur
one of my brothers had a bunch off quite polite arty middle class English girls up visiting one year (he's an actor who spends a lot of time in London y'see) and as we were seeing them back onto the train home in Glasgow he asked "what will you remember most from your trip to Scotland then ?" after a few touristy answers one girl said "old women swearing" which had apparently freaked her out a bit and i thought was brilliant observation as old working class women in Scotland (and especially in Glasgow) the do indeed swear like nobodys business in casual conversion :P
i'd have to say that i think the Scots can maybe claim the title of the best swearers in the English language...and we can throw a good bit Scots in there too :P
Sleekit: also the kinky sex. sure its all "stiff upper lip and privacy" but get in the bedroom and its all "banana is the safeword..." :P
Oh when not in Public (or drunk) we are dreadful in those regards... or at least I have gathered from everyone I know. I have one of those faces where people feel that they can trust me with many things... I wish I didn't have that kind of face xD
Lil devils x: The British I think swear too much, and tend to have a mean streak.
Too much?
No, everyone else just doesn't swear to their full fucking potential :)
The Thick of It :)
Aris Khandr: I'm not sure what it says that it is a stereotype that the French are French, but not that any other nationality is their own stereotype. How does that work?
Its a way of saying there are a lack of existing words to describe how strange they are and therefore they are just described as French... its an insult most times you say things on this line xD
The whole swearing thing is still strange to me, but since I am Hopi, and Hopi have no swear words, it would be strange to me. Hopi are completely open about sex, and treat it as a beautiful part of life, not derogatory in any way. The way the swear words are related to sex is an odd way to view sex and anger from the eyes of the Hopi people. We would view those words as in a celebratory manner, not in anger. LOL
I would view Americans as hardworking and lazy, but by a different definition than above. They will work multiple jobs, 17 hour shifts, then come home and be too lazy to do anything but watch homer simpson and drink beer. :)
Comando96: British... you forgot about our Stiff Upper Lip attitude. Also Well dressed? Bloody hell compared to the Italians we really really aren't. Italians wear their wealth.
also the kinky sex. sure its all "stiff upper lip and privacy" but get in the bedroom and its all "banana is the safeword..." :P
as for Americans i don't see them as particularly "Tolerant" not when intolerance on several societal levels (anti-gay, anti-non christian, anti-immigrant) is a major part of the political platform of one of the parties within their two party system.
I find Italians to be passionate, and often superstitious (unrelated to their religion), more along the lines of good luck and bad luck.
And racist! Don't forget racist! Anyways, Americans are fat and lazy, the Japanese find marrying pillows acceptable, the French are homosexual sissies and the Dutch are all weed smoking bastards. Aren't stereotypes fun?
"stereotypes" aren't always negative and are in fact cognitively necessary for our minds to quantifiably judge large groups of people.
so for example its "stereotypes" that allows me to judge that if i found myself within a large group of Christians i would be safer than if i found myself amongst a large group of hell angels.
does that mean ALL Christians are relatively safe company and all hells angels are not ? no.
I don't know anyone who views Brits as being kinky. In fact they are considered prudes by most standards, in bed and out. LOL
Maybe that is why they include sexual terms in anger so much. Sexual frustration. HAHAHA
You really have no idea. I have learned it is better to let it rest at that, concerning the openness of the tribes in regards to sex. It was never considered a private thing in the first place. We considered the romans quite prudish. LOL
As a nation we're almost just 'officially' uneasy about sex. Whenever British comedy tries to make something of our supposed sexual self-consciousness now it just comes across as parody. Generally we're a lot more sexually liberated as a people now than we were in even the '80s.
Polarity27: I saw "American" and "tolerant" in the same sentence and wasn't sure whether to smh or cackle.
I'll settle for "lol naw".
Aww. I think the majority of Americans are pretty tolerant, it comes from the fact that America has a lot of nationalities and cultures and religions all hooked up in one place. We tend to focus on the negative ones like say, GOP Candidates. Tea party. Christian-Rightwing Conservatives.
But im sure they are just a minority and we can focus on all the good parts and ignore the bad parts and we will come out sounding more friendly.
Lil devils x: The whole swearing thing is still strange to me, but since I am Hopi, and Hopi have no swear words, it would be strange to me.
Ah well swearing is not used to represent anger. Not by us anyway.
Most cultures have swearing in their language and they use it in some way or form but the British use swearing in a simple way. Representation of passion.
If I say: "That's Brilliant" then it has less passionate input than. "That's bloody Brilliant" which has more weight behind it in the passion sense.
There are some words which are used in a mostly derogatory manner... like cunt. But most swear words are used circumstantially and in the situation.
In an aggressive situation: Go away doesn't have the impact "Fuck off" does. Likewise the more vile the more passion behind it "Fuck off you shitbrain dumb ass cunt" is increasing the impact :D
However because the usage is circumstantial and basically stand-ins for ways to express general passion.............................................................. not love love, but sexual love in the act. It's not being said in anger, hate, any form of derogatory degrading (most people anyway) but it's somehow better than just screaming out loud xD
Lil devils x: Hopi are completely open about sex, and treat it as a beautiful part of life, not derogatory in any way. The way the swear words are related to sex is an odd way to view sex and anger from the eyes of the Hopi people. We would view those words as in a celebratory manner, not in anger. LOL
In a culture where the maximum amount of privacy you can have is basically a tent I'm sure the question "mummy/daddy why are you making those noises" would be raised pretty quickily xD
Dunno about the Native Americans specifically but Genghis Khan had sex infront of his kids... before he was all powerful Emperor that is. When he became the all powerful Emperor he could afford, bigger and multiple tents :P Nomadic peoples. Not much privacy. Still get horny.
You've got a lot of stereotypes for Americans! Are you American? Wait, I'll show you what the general Dutch impression of the average American is. *SORRY*
Danish: Easy going. Reserved. Lazy. Casual. Fun loving. Xenophobic. Humour.
Xenophobic? I've visited Copenhagen and didn't feel particularly discriminated against.
Nikolaz72: So on top of perhaps making your own list or arguing why the list I/groupies made is wrong/right. Maybe we should talk about stereotypes and whenever they bring more harm or gain to the world. Are they still neccesary in a world where we can easily learn about other cultures?
I think we should accept generalization for what they are. Generalizations. OF COURSE not all Japanese are disciplined and hard-working. OF COURSE not all Saudi Arabians are misogynistic. OF COURSE not all Americans are fat. This doesn't change the fact that Japan has quite special work ethics, that Saudi Arabia has a problem with women's rights and that America has a problem with obesity. Generalizations say something about a culture, in general. Culture has influence over people. This doesn't mean that every person in that country is a mindless clone.
Polarity27: I saw "American" and "tolerant" in the same sentence and wasn't sure whether to smh or cackle.
Depends strongly on the subject. For instance if a fat blob in a wheelchair blocks their path and then holds them up at the cashier for minutes on end because the blob has trouble finding small change, before the being slowly collects her purchases and gets out of the way, they keep quiet instead of asking the blob of fat to move out of the way or hurry up. It amazed me how normally Americans reacted to extremely fat people, the most disgusting example being one with wounds in his legs because of the sheer tension on the skin. I felt strongly about telling him to never ever wear anything but long trousers for the sake of those around him, but everybody else seemed to be pretty okay with the disgusting display.
People seemed to be selectively blind to many topics like that. I mean, people drove by shacks with plastic on the roof out of poverty, but still somehow this doesn't translate back into a strong movement to combat poverty or something. Also the idea of purchasing a prepackaged food aid package in the supermarket to give away to someone who can't afford food just stunned me. I mean, first, if that kind of charity is needed, shouldn't tough questions be asked about the big picture, and second, pre-packaged dedicated production for food aid to poor people? Wtf?
On a second note, I want to add something about Japanese and Chinese I noticed in, well, pretty much any interaction with a native of those countries I ever had: Timid.
They're so quiet and conforming it just wants to make me scream, and if you need spontaneous suggestions for brainstorming, you'd better bring a piece of wood to metaphorically beat the ideas of them, because they just sit back and wait for someone to take the lead, and then agree with him completely, like that's ever possible.
And help a lost Chinese student by googling up a telephone number of his landlord on a pc you already had open on the internet leading to a big thank-you, an invitation for drinks and a meal was quite a stunner. He's lost, so I told him where to find stuff, no big deal right?
On a related note, hearing from a Tokio resident we silly Dutch close some supermarkets at 18:00 and some at 20:00, and don't even open them one day a week was quite funny.
Japanese: Hard working. Reserved. Outgoing. Disciplined. Quiet. Well Dressed. Respectful. Xenophobic. Serious. Nationalistic. Romantic.
Are you asking if we think your stereotype is a correct representation of what outsiders think the stereotype to be? Or are you asking if we think your stereotype accurately reflects reality?
Because if it's the former case, I'm baffled how anyone could stereotype the Japanese people as outgoing. They're rather famous as a society for social awkwardness and avoiding contact with people.
If it's the former case, after over 7 years in the country I think absolutely zero of those attributes accurately reflects reality. If you were a tourist in Japan who only ever spent time on public trains you might think the "quiet" attribute was true. But only if you've never been in a Japanese school or izakaya.
You've got a lot of stereotypes for Americans! Are you American? Wait, I'll show you what the general Dutch impression of the average American is. *SORRY*
Danish: Easy going. Reserved. Lazy. Casual. Fun loving. Xenophobic. Humour.
Xenophobic? I've visited Copenhagen and didn't feel particularly discriminated against.
Nikolaz72: So on top of perhaps making your own list or arguing why the list I/groupies made is wrong/right. Maybe we should talk about stereotypes and whenever they bring more harm or gain to the world. Are they still neccesary in a world where we can easily learn about other cultures?
I think we should accept generalization for what they are. Generalizations. OF COURSE not all Japanese are disciplined and hard-working. OF COURSE not all Saudi Arabians are misogynistic. OF COURSE not all Americans are fat. This doesn't change the fact that Japan has quite special work ethics, that Saudi Arabia has a problem with women's rights and that America has a problem with obesity. Generalizations say something about a culture, in general. Culture has influence over people. This doesn't mean that every person in that country is a mindless clone.
Im Danish. And I know well that we are known in Europe as Xenophobic. Although thats only the few who know us since, well. Not a lot of 'em takes too much notice. I guess it helps around this time that Denmark is in charge of the EU for this half-year. But really it seems more like a formality than anything else. Also about the Talkative in America, I've been there. And thats also how I and classmates saw them. I guess im sorry I didnt see them in general in as negative a light as you did.
Japanese: Hard working. Reserved. Outgoing. Disciplined. Quiet. Well Dressed. Respectful. Xenophobic. Serious. Nationalistic. Romantic.
Are you asking if we think your stereotype is a correct representation of what outsiders think the stereotype to be? Or are you asking if we think your stereotype accurately reflects reality?
Because if it's the former case, I'm baffled how anyone could stereotype the Japanese people as outgoing. They're rather famous as a society for social awkwardness and avoiding contact with people.
If it's the former case, after over 7 years in the country I think absolutely zero of those attributes accurately reflects reality. If you were a tourist in Japan who only ever spent time on public trains you might think the "quiet" attribute was true. But only if you've never been in a Japanese school or izakaya.
I didnt ask one of the two, I asked in general. How people found they fit, and how they see others in general.
Nikolaz72: Im Danish. And I know well that we are known in Europe as Xenophobic. Although thats only the few who know us since, well. Not a lot of 'em takes too much notice. I guess it helps around this time that Denmark is in charge of the EU for this half-year. But really it seems more like a formality than anything else.
I'm sorry, but I still can't understand how people see the Danish as xenophobic. I've never heard about it, and when I visited Copenhagen, everyone seemed to be quite good in foreign languages.
Nikolaz72: Also about the Talkative in America, I've been there. And thats also how I and classmates saw them. I guess im sorry I didnt see them in general in as negative a light as you did.
I've been in the US too :) And stereotype and reality are not the same. I don't think Dutch people really see Americans as talkative, but when I think back of my experiences over there, yeah, they are quite talkative.
Most Americans seemed to be very nice people, when I was there.
Nikolaz72: Im Danish. And I know well that we are known in Europe as Xenophobic. Although thats only the few who know us since, well. Not a lot of 'em takes too much notice. I guess it helps around this time that Denmark is in charge of the EU for this half-year. But really it seems more like a formality than anything else.
I'm sorry, but I still can't understand how people see the Danish as xenophobic. I've never heard about it, and when I visited Copenhagen, everyone seemed to be quite good in foreign languages.
Nikolaz72: Also about the Talkative in America, I've been there. And thats also how I and classmates saw them. I guess im sorry I didnt see them in general in as negative a light as you did.
I've been in the US too :) And stereotype and reality are not the same. I don't think Dutch people really see Americans as talkative, but when I think back of my experiences over there, yeah, they are quite talkative.
Most Americans seemed to be very nice people, when I was there.
Guess I didnt clarify enough that I wanted each person to state their own stereotype of a country, and not what they think the most used stereotype is. Still, its been a nice thread. I sometimes fear looking at the messages of people who quoted me because, with a tendency to post on this part of the forum. Its not always nice reading. That being said, I've called my fair share of people ignorant in my time here so I am in no way innocent. I just felt a small break from that kind of threads was needed. And I was too lazy to go to off-topic (Which, as of now. Is filled with ME3 topics anyway. Not something that fills me with glee in the slightest)
Danyal: I don't think Dutch people really see Americans as talkative, but when I think back of my experiences over there, yeah, they are quite talkative.
Relevant:
(And yes, this, like my other post, is not intended to be completely serious)
Lil devils x: The whole swearing thing is still strange to me, but since I am Hopi, and Hopi have no swear words, it would be strange to me.
Ah well swearing is not used to represent anger. Not by us anyway.
Most cultures have swearing in their language and they use it in some way or form but the British use swearing in a simple way. Representation of passion.
If I say: "That's Brilliant" then it has less passionate input than. "That's bloody Brilliant" which has more weight behind it in the passion sense.
There are some words which are used in a mostly derogatory manner... like cunt. But most swear words are used circumstantially and in the situation.
In an aggressive situation: Go away doesn't have the impact "Fuck off" does. Likewise the more vile the more passion behind it "Fuck off you shitbrain dumb ass cunt" is increasing the impact :D
However because the usage is circumstantial and basically stand-ins for ways to express general passion.............................................................. not love love, but sexual love in the act. It's not being said in anger, hate, any form of derogatory degrading (most people anyway) but it's somehow better than just screaming out loud xD
Lil devils x: Hopi are completely open about sex, and treat it as a beautiful part of life, not derogatory in any way. The way the swear words are related to sex is an odd way to view sex and anger from the eyes of the Hopi people. We would view those words as in a celebratory manner, not in anger. LOL
In a culture where the maximum amount of privacy you can have is basically a tent I'm sure the question "mummy/daddy why are you making those noises" would be raised pretty quickily xD
Dunno about the Native Americans specifically but Genghis Khan had sex infront of his kids... before he was all powerful Emperor that is. When he became the all powerful Emperor he could afford, bigger and multiple tents :P Nomadic peoples. Not much privacy. Still get horny.
The Hopi did not live in tents. LOL Hopi build large multistory buildings, comparable to modern apartment buildings. However, Sex was not something ever considered "sheltering children" from. We actually had "sex festivals" sex and fertility was celebrated. Children were taught how to "stimulate their reproductive organs" to ensure good fertility for when they came of age. Some societies view this as "harmful for children" while standards are changing in that regards to "sexual wellness".
However, girls were taught not to hug, wrestle or get too close to boys until they were older because boys would become too excited, and had difficulty controlling their urges.
Boys were taught they could choose the girl they wish to pursue, but she had to accept him for him to take those desires further. Girls pretty much held the "power" in the relationship.
We had no type of "prearranged relationships", and had safeguards in place to keep families from infulencing the girls decision. Before a girl made up her mind, no one was allowed to talk to her, to insure she made the decision on her own.
The Hopi have no swearing in any shape or form. In order to tell someone to leave, You would tell them to "leave here." to stress it further it would translate to "Leave here and come here no more."
This may also be the different structure of the societies and respect for others. What was acceptable and non acceptable behavior greatly varies between cultures. People often thought it strange how "happy" and " polite" the Hopi people in general are, their manner of constant joy is actually annoying to some. Enemies approaching and they are all smiling at them, it even confused generals approaching as to what on earth was going on. It is not uncommon for them to ask "why are they smiling?!"
Polarity27: I saw "American" and "tolerant" in the same sentence and wasn't sure whether to smh or cackle.
I'll settle for "lol naw".
Aww. I think the majority of Americans are pretty tolerant, it comes from the fact that America has a lot of nationalities and cultures and religions all hooked up in one place. We tend to focus on the negative ones like say, GOP Candidates. Tea party. Christian-Rightwing Conservatives.
But im sure they are just a minority and we can focus on all the good parts and ignore the bad parts and we will come out sounding more friendly.
If you live in America as a member of a persecuted/minority group, you learn pretty quickly that America is not at all a tolerant place. And that Americans will tell you how tolerant they are *even while they're doing something discriminatory*.
For America I think you forgot "gun-loving" Here's a bit of a conversation I had with a scottish friend
My friend: Yeah, but you live in America, shootings are almost a daily occurance there, right? Xan Krieger: LOL is that what other countries think of us? My friend: That's what we got taught in school, aye
Well. In class today we filled out some stereotypes today, we had to give different traits to different nationalities and I thought it would be fun if I asked you guys if you could agree/disagree with the list my group personally made. And if you could perhaps add some new ones.
Additionaly, I guess I dont really believe in stereotypes personally. But I think they are fun, and if anything its a way to show people that we dont think everything about them is negative, and while we see flaws we also see a lot of positive traits. That being said, Americans being talkative can be damn annoying. I mean I had a cashier talk to me for several minutes, which wouldnt be a problem if there wasnt a line of 15 people behind me that blamed me for it. xD
American: Hard working. Easy going. Punctual. Emotional. Lazy. Sociable. Enthusiastic. Tolerant. Talkative. Serious. Nationalistic. Romantic. Religious.
Japanese: Hard working. Reserved. Outgoing. Disciplined. Quiet. Well Dressed. Respectful. Xenophobic. Serious. Nationalistic. Romantic.
German: Hard working. Tolerant. Serious.
Italian: Easy-going. Friendly. Emotional. Lazy. Easy going. Hospitable. Religous.
British: Punctual. Hospitable. Formal. Sophisticated. Well Dressed. Humour. Nationalistic.
French: Easy-going. Friendly. Emotional. Outgoing. Formal. Well Dressed. Nationalistic.
Danish: Easy going. Reserved. Lazy. Casual. Fun loving. Xenophobic. Humour.
So on top of perhaps making your own list or arguing why the list I/groupies made is wrong/right. Maybe we should talk about stereotypes and whenever they bring more harm or gain to the world. Are they still neccesary in a world where we can easily learn about other cultures? I mean, I was 'this' close to writing Big-nosed under Italians just because the teacher had done the same. This is different from my usual posts as it is not really as serious. Although I do feel it is neccesary now and then to show others that we dont dislike them.