We will talk about stereotypes - norms, canons, laws, customs, traditions, prejudices of society. Most people think they are correct and follow them. Here it is important to distinguish between the concept of the correctness of a stereotype and convention (far-fetchedness). But fictitious stereotypes sometimes control the collective consciousness (including us). Stereotypes of people are primarily divided into global - characteristic of the scale of the planet, and narrow - those that we follow in schools, at work, at home, etc. However, both of them become an illusion that has a lot of followers.
Male models are traditionally classified as gay
What is a stereotype?
The concept of “stereotype” was born in the 20s of the last century. It was introduced into scientific literature by the American scientist W. Lippman. He characterized a stereotype as a small “picture of the world” that a person stores in the brain in order to save the effort required to perceive more complex situations. According to the American scientist, there is two reasons for the emergence of stereotypes:
- Saving effort;
- Protecting the values of the group of people in which he lives.
The stereotype has the following properties:
- Consistency over time;
- Selectivity;
- Emotional fullness.
Since then, many scientists have complemented and innovated this concept, but the basic idea has not changed
What are the stereotypes based on? In order not to bother themselves with unnecessary thoughts, people use well-known stereotypes. Sometimes they find their confirmation when observing people and then they become even more convinced that they are right. Stereotypes are a kind of replacement for a person’s thought process. Why “reinvent the wheel” if you can use someone else’s mind. To varying degrees, each of us is subject to stereotypes, the difference lies in which of us believes these “postulates” to what extent.
Stereotypes live in us, influence our worldview, behavior and contribute to an incorrect perception of reality: the role of modern stereotypes in human life and society is undeniable. Stereotypes can be imposed by public opinion, and formed on the basis of one’s own observations. Social stereotypes are the most destructive to people's worldview. They impose an incorrect train of thought on a person and prevent him from thinking for himself. However, without stereotypes, society could not exist. Thanks to them, we know about the following patterns:
- The water is wet;
- The snow is cold;
- The fire is hot;
- A stone thrown into the water will create circles.
Since we know about this, we do not need to be convinced of it every time. But stereotypes that operate at the level of people’s consciousness and subconsciousness, as a rule, prevent them from living. We must learn to distinguish stereotypes from the actual idea of a subject, to understand the pros and cons of people’s stereotypes.
Famous bloggers are perceived as "close-minded" girls
Take, for example, the stereotype about debt. There is nothing bad or wrong about this feeling. The only question is whether this concept is dictated by a person’s inner convictions, or imposed on him by public opinion. In the second case, a person feels a disagreement between his own concepts and what society requires of him.
People's desire to follow stereotypes distorts their ideas about reality and poisons existence. Very often a person judges people not by their actions, but by what others think about them. Sometimes a person who goes to church from time to time ascribes to himself all the virtues of Christianity. Although this is far from true.
It often happens that people do not bother themselves to think about the problem, they simply use the existing stereotype and adopt it.
For example, these are groups of people who are divided according to the following criteria:
- Sexual;
- Age;
- Level of education;
- Professional;
- Belief, etc.
Let's say that blondes, in order not to bother themselves by proving the inaccuracy of the existing stereotype, try to correspond to the generally accepted opinion. It's easier to live this way. Or women, trying, find a rich groom, with whom they become deeply unhappy, because when choosing, they did not take into account his human qualities.
You cannot project an existing stereotype onto all people to the same extent. You need to base your judgments on the person’s personality, his advantages and disadvantages, life position, etc.
What are the stereotypes?
Please note, we are talking about stereotypes! Below are examples of the most popular social stereotypes that are very common in society:
Gender stereotypes: women and men
Gender stereotypes are some of the most striking in modern society
Below is a list of common gender stereotypes with examples - believe me, you see a lot in it that is familiar and well-established in the public perception:
- A woman is a stupid, weak and worthless creature. She is designed to give birth, wash, cook, clean and otherwise look after her “overlord” (man). She was born into the world to learn how to properly apply makeup, dress and giggle, only then does she have the opportunity to “enjoy” a good male who will provide her and her offspring with a decent life. As long as a woman lives at the expense of a man and obeys him in everything, she has the right to “eat from his table.”
- As soon as the lady from the first point shows character, she becomes a lonely divorcee. A couple of examples can be given stereotype of a lonely woman: 1) divorced single mother - unhappy, lonely, forgotten by everyone;
2) a widow - a grief-stricken and also unhappy woman. - A lady should not be strong and fight for her own well-being without the help of a man. Otherwise she is a careerist who has no time for her family, children and husband. Again - unhappy!
- Man is the “center of the universe.” Strong, smart, handsome (even with a belly and a bald head). He is obliged to earn money in order to satisfy the desires of women.
In fact, men only want sex from women, but they adhere to the rules of the game of “love” in order to achieve that very sex
- A man shouldn't:
- Talk about your feelings;
- Cry;
- Help a woman around the house.
Otherwise, he does not consider himself a man.
- A man should:
- Work. And it doesn’t matter that they pay little there, and he is not able to support his family, he still gets tired at work! And hence the origins of the next position;
- Lying on the sofa. After all, he is tired, he is resting;
- Drive. A woman, according to men, has no right to this. After all, she is stupid!
In other cases, it is believed that this is not a man, but a worthless creature that “disgraces” the male gender. The given examples of well-known stereotypes in the perception of communication partners confirm the fact that many of us do not see the essence behind a real person: stuffed with cliches and cliches since childhood, we are not ready to listen to the words of a loved one and understand his expectations.
Children
Children are obliged:
- To obey the parents;
- Make the dreams and unfulfilled desires of moms and dads come true;
- Study “excellently” at school, college and university;
- When parents become old, “bring them a glass of water.”
So, children are disobedient and unbearable, young people are insane and dissolute.
Old people are always grumbling and unhappy with everything
But in old age, all people get sick and complain about life, otherwise they, at least, behave strangely.
Happiness
Happiness is:
- Money;
- High rank.
Everyone else is a miserable loser. Even if a person is absolutely happy, living in a state of trance (in nirvana), and he has nothing behind his soul, he is a failure!
"Correct"...
Only in the most famous institutes do they receive the “correct” education. The “right” people go to work and sit there from bell to bell. “Correct” if you live in your homeland and do not go to live in another country. It is “correct” to follow fashion trends. It is “correct” to buy an expensive item in a boutique, and not the same thing in a regular store. It is “correct” to have an opinion that coincides with the opinion of the majority. It’s “right” to be like everyone else around you.
For people, following stereotypes is destructive. Parents plant in our brains the idea that we cannot stand out from society, we need to live like everyone else. Each of us in childhood was afraid of becoming a “black sheep” and being expelled from the team. To become different from everyone else means to live by your own rules and think with your own head - to live by straining your brain.
Still from the movie "The Agents of U.N.C.L.E." (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, 2015), where actor Armie Hammer played the principled and impenetrable KGB agent, Ilya Kuryakin
What are professional stereotypes: examples
Professional stereotypes include generalized images of a professional in a specific profession. The categories most often mentioned in this regard are:
- Policemen. These stereotypes are especially zealously fueled by American films and Russian TV series. Admittedly, the rare interaction of ordinary citizens with police officers in real life gives rise to a bunch of conjectures, which are successfully directed in the right direction from television screens. Most fans of such films are convinced that even the most ordinary policeman is brave, selfless, and capable of defeating an entire gang of thugs on his own.
- Doctors. And in reality, there are professionals who can literally bring you back to life from the other world, but in case of health problems, you shouldn’t expect a spectacular appearance in the hospital on a gurney, shouting “Way, way! We are losing him,” accompanied by the entire ambulance team - in life, believe me, everything is much more banal, and an intelligent and insightful doctor, capable of making an instant decision in a critical situation for the patient’s life, is, alas, rather a professional stereotype.
- The stereotype of someone who can solve small everyday problems to global government problems lawyer- another image that came from American TV series. The legal proceedings in this performance are more like theater with convulsive wringing of hands, tears in the eyes and the voices of lawyers breaking from the excitement and tragedy of what is happening.
- A striking example of a professional stereotype has been known to us since Soviet times: worker and collective farmer. Yes, yes, rural workers and ordinary hard workers, bursting with health, with eyes burning with enthusiasm and thirst for work, are ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of the prosperity of industry, agricultural technologies, Soviet society and the state as a whole.
- Modern students: not very keen on knowledge, but successful in drinking alcohol and sex, using drugs and organizing wild parties. Perhaps the imposed image is still closer to American society, but Russian students also look in that direction with admiration - oh, we wish we could do that...
How to fight stereotypes?
As it turns out, stereotypes are designed to relieve a person’s brain of excess stress. At the same time, stereotypes limit a person’s mental activity, preventing it from going beyond the boundaries of the standard worldview. If we use the stereotype “it’s good where we are not,” then a person is sure that nothing good can happen where he lives. And in that mythical distance, where he has never been and never will be, everyone lives under communism and... As a result, you don’t even need to strive to become happy, nothing will work out anyway.
But You can't blindly believe everything people say. And then, a stereotype always has a hidden meaning. In this case, the true meaning of this stereotype is that a person will always think that someone somewhere makes less effort and lives much better.
This causes envy and disappointment in your “unsuccessful” life. It turns out that this opinion is wrong
The main way to combat stereotypes is not to believe them. Don’t believe what people say, check the information, and based on the conclusions drawn, form your own opinion. In this way, you will be able to refute outdated stereotypes and prevent the emergence of new ones.
Think about how many stereotypes you use all the time. Try to find those that are not supported by facts. The aforementioned stereotype that “blondes are all stupid” is an extremely controversial statement. Start by listing girls and women with blonde hair that you know well. How many of them would you call stupid? Are they all as stupid as the stereotype claims? Look for refutations of statements that have no basis in fact.
If you use the stereotype “more expensive means better,” look for examples of products at reasonable prices that are of high quality and fashionable. At the same time, expensive items do not always meet quality standards.
Beautiful and well-groomed women are often considered stupid and calculating
Conclusion
So what are stereotypes? This is an ambiguous manifestation of social thinking. They live and will always live, regardless of whether we want it or not. They carry information that people have collected and systematized for centuries. Some of them are based on real facts, others are like made-up fairy tales, but they were, are and will be. Decide for yourself which stereotypes are harmful to your thinking and which are useful. Use the ones you need and get rid of the bad ones.
And, finally, we suggest taking a break from the serious topic and watching a funny video about the stereotypes of street football. Yes, there are such things!
March 22, 2014, 11:32
Oh, are you from Russia? Apparently you live on vodka and caviar? Canada, right? Maybe you want to play hockey? Hello fellow Aussie! Pass me the cubs!
These are all stereotypes that accompany representatives of the above countries through life.
17-year-old designer from Slovakia Martin Vargik created a map of stereotypes, in a note to which he noted that he did not want to offend anyone, and the purpose of the map itself was only to amuse.
Extraordinary card
According to Vargic, his map "depicts the world in the funniest way possible, demonstrating the most common Western stereotypes about other countries and regions of the world."
The guy collected data from various sources, mainly television and the Internet. They reflect more than 1,800 individual stereotypes and associations with certain cultural phenomena or events. Shall we take a look inside?
The cartographic miracle is divided into several sections: 2 maps of the North and South Poles, as well as 6 mini-maps reflecting per capita consumption of alcohol and cigarettes smoked, average penis length and breast size, height and weight.
Information panels that frame maps containing information about the most populated territory on Earth, the country with the largest number of marijuana users, the state with the largest oil reserves, as well as the peace and happiness indices of each territory.
America and its neighbors
The United States, according to Vargic's map, is "The Land of the Free (for rich white men)." The names of its states and cities are often branded with cultural associations. So, Chicago became “Al Capone”, because it was here that the famous American gangster was born, New York became “The Wolf of Wall Street”, Alburque became “heavy”, and California was simply “The Sun”.
What about the neighbors of the United States? The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Mexico is “tacos,” while Canada boasts maple syrup, hockey and fauna.
Europe
If we start from the top, then Norway, according to Vargik’s observations, is the country of “Black Metal”, Sweden is the land of “Metrosexuals”, and Finland is the land of “Polar Bears”.
The Germans are famous for their Bratwurst sausages, and the Spaniards deserve the name "Animal Rights Violation" through their famous bullfighting.
Italy wouldn't be Italy without Pizza, and Romania wouldn't be Italy without Dracula. Vargik called Bulgaria... the country of “fake Nikes”.
What about Ukraine? Our state received the name “Putin’s precious” (which one would like to read out in the voice of Smeagol), the Autonomous Republic of Crimea - “Putinistan”, and Kyiv is associated in the world with “Maidan”. But is this all that can be said about us? From our own experience we understand how meaningless and limited people’s ideas about certain states can be.
“Many stereotypes reflect negative associations and thoughts, so you shouldn’t blindly believe every word you write. Prejudices are formed instantly, and do not forget that they are destroyed just as quickly. Therefore, everything depends on our choice and actions to form new traditions and eradicate existing ones,” notes Vagrik.
Perhaps there are a couple of stereotypes about literally every country, most of which rarely have anything in common with the truth. We decided to check if there were any truthful ones among them, and we found them! Share, what would you add to this list?
1. Italy: Italians are very emotional and use gestures when speaking.
If you come to Italy, you will definitely notice that local residents often speak loudly, emotionally and actively gesticulate. Once upon a time, the Apennine Peninsula was divided into many kingdoms and people spoke different dialects of Italian. To understand each other, they were simply forced to use gestures. And yes, they are indeed very emotional and temperamental, but not to the extreme.
This stereotype has already become almost a legend and causes many jokes, especially from Americans. Indeed, residents of Canada use the particle “eh” every now and then at the end of a sentence to make it interrogative and rhetorical, and simply out of habit.
3. Great Britain: The British are usually calm and polite. And in general it’s difficult to piss them off
Unlike other Europeans, the British really try to maintain a calm demeanor in almost any situation: they are very polite and even a little phlegmatic. In everyday communication, it is difficult to guess the real emotions of the inhabitants of Foggy Albion - they are simply not visible, because you need to keep yourself within the bounds of decency.
4. Japan: They Never Say No Here
Japanese people hate saying “no”: every time they need to refuse someone, they begin to shy away and choose a more polite expression. The origins of this behavior lie in “timmoku” - the Japanese art of silence: it is better to remain silent than to offend a person with a refusal.
5. USA: Americans often smile
The smile of Americans is a decades-old respect for one's neighbor, part of an established culture of behavior. From childhood, children are taught that if you give others a good mood, it will definitely return to you. In addition, Americans love to give compliments, including to strangers - how can they do without at least a slight smile?
6. Brazil: people here are in no hurry and are constantly late
As in some other southern countries, in Brazil it is customary not to rush anywhere and, as a result, to be late. Punctuality can easily be considered bad manners, and if, for example, you were invited to visit at 19:00, you should not arrive before 20:00. Of course, due to such regularity, the service suffers, but, on the other hand, people here know how to enjoy life and are far from the eternal rush and bustle.
7. Argentina: almost every resident of the country loves football
Football for Argentines is a real passion, not just a game. The days when championships are held are even declared holidays in the country! Any elementary school student understands this game no worse than a professional sports referee and, of course, is definitely a fan of one of the local clubs. And what a unique atmosphere reigns in the stadium - perhaps it’s worth coming here at least for that and seeing everything with your own eyes.
8. France: The French constantly organize strikes and demonstrations
Although modern French people do not go on strike as often as previous generations, according to the French themselves, strikes occur regularly. This is due to the active work of trade unions, the crisis and high taxes. It is not always possible to achieve results, but every now and then those around us suffer: transport stops running, institutions are closed, events are cancelled.
9. Australia: Christmas is usually celebrated here in the summer
This is not even a stereotype, but a fact that is hard to believe: when the whole world celebrates Christmas and New Year, Australia reigns... summer! A typical Christmas party here is held on the beach with a barbecue and temperatures of 30°C. We wouldn’t mind celebrating a holiday there at least once - we’ll remember it for the rest of our lives.
10. Russia: the most beautiful girls in the world live here
Of course, beautiful girls live everywhere, but it is in Russia that you can meet a huge number of people in whose veins the blood of different nations flows. As a result, girls are born with a unique, original beauty that is rarely found anywhere. Well, let's be honest: the author of this article is from Russia and simply cannot remain silent about how amazing the women are here!
When it comes to the customs and foundations of a particular country, then, as a rule, certain stereotypes arise. Japan - sushi, Holland - smoking drugs, England - oatmeal, Russia - bears walking the streets. In fact, many beliefs are no longer true. This material contains 13 common stereotypes that it is high time to stop believing in.
1. Russia
Many foreigners associate Russia with bears. Moreover, there is an opinion that bears roam freely around the capital, and in the outback they generally feel at home, breaking into houses and attacking people. It is worth noting that this myth was born a long time ago. Back in the 16th century, while traveling around Russia, Baron Sigismund Herberstein witnessed scenes of hungry clubfoot walking through villages in search of food. Later, people began to train bears and take them to fairs for the entertainment of the people. These events became firmly entrenched in the minds of foreigners, and since then, disheveled brown animals have become associated with Russia and its inhabitants. In fact, the average Russian can only meet a bear in a zoo or circus, and such statements only cause a smile.
2. Canada
Many people seriously believe that Canada is a cold country that is covered in snow all year round. This opinion is not entirely correct. The fact is that the northern part of the country is really cold and snowy. However, 90 percent of the population lives in southern Canada, where all four seasons are distinct, and in some cities summer temperatures reach 30 degrees.
3. Estonia
It's funny, but many residents of the post-Soviet space consider Estonians to be slow and retarded. The origin of this stereotype is related to the peculiarities of the Estonian language. A large number of double vowels in words, as if dividing them into parts, because of this, the ear records pauses, and speech seems slow. In fact, Estonians speak faster than Finns and are about the same as Americans. As for the rhythm of life, it is really slow. Residents of this small country do not like haste and fuss.
4. Australia
There are people who are sure that Sydney is the capital of Australia. Others believe that the capital is Melbourne. Both statements are wrong. In fact, the capital of Australia is the small city of Canberra, which has been eclipsed by its more developed neighbors.
5. Netherlands
Almost all foreigners associate the Netherlands with drugs and permissiveness. Tourists seriously believe that weed is sold at every turn in Amsterdam. In fact, the country has a clear concept of “hard” and “soft” drugs. The sale of the latter is prohibited and punishable by law. As for soft drugs, they are sold only in specialized outlets and in strictly limited quantities. Unlicensed sale of marijuana and hashish, as well as possession of drugs in large quantities, is strictly punishable by law. It is also worth noting that only 5.5 percent of the country's residents regularly use drugs, the rest believe that it is beneath their dignity. Moreover, most Dutch people are fanatical adherents of a healthy lifestyle.
6. UK
Famous phrase: "Oatmeal, sir!" made many people believe that the British certainly eat porridge for breakfast. But the people of England refute this opinion. The average Englishman's traditional breakfast is scrambled eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast with salted butter. Another misconception is the tea ceremony at five o'clock. We all learned about this from English textbooks and really believed that at exactly five o’clock all the inhabitants of England put aside their work and sit down to drink tea. In fact, this tradition has not been observed for a long time, and most residents, while at work or in a cafe, increasingly drink coffee.
7. Spain
The Spaniards refute the assertion that bullfighting is the main and favorite sport. First of all, bullfighting is not a sport. Secondly, the Spaniards love football. It is he who is the favorite and most important sport, and bullfighting is a monstrous spectacle, which most of the population has a negative attitude towards. It is worth noting that since 2011, bullfighting has been banned in many areas of Spain, and where it still takes place, spectators have voting rights.
8. Sweden
There is an opinion among foreigners that Carlson is the most beloved fairy-tale character for all Swedes. However, this is not at all true. The Swedes do not like Carlson at all, believing that with his bad character he sets a bad example for children. Another lie is the existence of Carlson’s house, which is supposedly located on the roof of the former house of writer Astrid Lindgren. But who the population of Sweden really sincerely loves is Pippi Longstocking.
9. Japan
It is difficult for tourists to accept the fact that sushi is generally a rare guest on the table of indigenous Japanese. Moreover, in the Land of the Rising Sun they practically do not prepare sushi in the form of rolls, which are so popular outside its borders. But the most popular and favorite dish of the Japanese is ramen noodles. Many people even eat this soup for breakfast, because it is very filling and can give you energy for the whole day.
10. Mexico
A huge number of action films about Mexican drug traffickers have led foreigners to believe that Mexico is a poor and dangerous country where the drug trade is thriving, and gunshots are heard at every turn. Well, Mexico does have relatively disadvantaged regions. These include cities located on the border with the United States. As for the rest of the territory, it consists mainly of quiet areas and resorts inhabited by hospitable and good-natured people. It is also worth noting that the standard of living and social security in Mexico has long surpassed America.
11. France
The French pay a lot of attention to nutrition, prefer gourmet dishes and do not eat fast food. Until a certain time, this was indeed true. Previously, the state did not welcome or finance fast food establishments, but recently the authorities have loosened control and the French have happily begun to consume tasty and unhealthy food. Statistics from recent years show that the revenue of fast food establishments significantly exceeds the profit of traditional establishments.
12. Mongolia
Few tourists seriously consider traveling to Mongolia. Moreover, for most people this country seems like a remote and dangerous steppe. Most of Mongolia is indeed occupied by the steppe, and part of the population still leads a nomadic lifestyle. However, there are also developed cities in this country that keep up with the rest of the world. As for the population, the Mongols are not spoiled by tourists, so they treat all visitors more than kindly. Even nomads happily welcome tourists, inviting them to their homes and treating them to national dishes.
13. USA
Indeed, the United States is considered the birthplace of fast food, and a huge number of the population suffers from excess weight. But in recent decades, the country has set a course to combat obesity. Many people, having realized the harm of trans fats, gave up fast food forever and began to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Video bonus:
Continuing the theme of established beliefs
There are various stereotypes about countries and peoples that have long ceased to be relevant or were not reality at all. They may relate to certain foundations, traditions, cultural characteristics, preferences, character and behavior of people. So, for example, Holland is considered a country where everyone uses soft drugs, Japan always has sushi, Russia has bears, England has tea and oatmeal. In fact, most of these prejudices are completely untrue.
the site will tell you in detail about stereotypes about countries and nationalities that it is high time to stop believing in.
Russia
When foreigners think about Russia, they immediately think of bears. There is a common misconception that these animals walk freely right along the streets of the capital, while in the outback they feel at home. They can break into people's homes and attack them.
This myth arose a long time ago. Back in the 16th century, Baron Sigismund Herberstein traveled through Russia. He repeatedly witnessed scenes of hungry bears wandering through villages in search of food. Later, people learned to train these wild animals and take them to various fairs to entertain people. For foreigners, such events stuck in their memories for a long time, which is why from that time on, clubfooted animals began to be associated with Russia and its inhabitants.
The truth is that the average modern resident of the Russian Federation can only meet a bear in a circus or zoo. Such stereotypes only make you smile.
Mexico
A huge number of action films have been shot about Mexican drug dealers and cartels. They are the ones who made foreigners believe that Mexico is an extremely poor, crime-ridden and dangerous country, where the drug trade is thriving, and the sound of gunshots can be heard on every corner.
Whereas in reality there are actually quite disadvantaged regions in Mexico. These are cities that are located on the border with the United States. While the rest of the country is predominantly quiet resorts and areas. Kind and hospitable people live here who are always ready to help the traveler.
It is worth noting that the standard of living, as well as social security, in Mexico has long surpassed many other countries in America.
Japan
It is usually difficult for tourists to accept the fact that the Japanese rarely eat sushi. Moreover, the country practically does not prepare sushi in the form of rolls, which are so popular outside its borders. Ramen noodles are the most popular in the Land of the Rising Sun. This is a hearty and healthy dish that many Japanese even eat for breakfast.
Mongolia
Few travelers think about traveling to Mongolia. Most people consider this country to be a dangerous and remote steppe with a primitive population.
The bulk of Mongolia is steppe, while part of the population still leads a nomadic lifestyle. However, the people here are well developed, modern and very hospitable. The country has developed cities that are not lagging behind the rest of the world.
Regarding the population of Mongolia, local residents do not see tourists too often, and therefore always treat them kindly. Even nomads welcome travelers with great joy, try to help them, treat them, and invite them to their homes.
USA
The United States of America is truly considered the birthplace of fast food. A huge number of the country's population suffers from excess weight. However, in the last ten years the country has turned its attention to the fight against obesity. Many people, having realized the harm of trans fats, gave up fast food forever and began to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Canada
People are seriously convinced that Canada is very cold, and the country is covered in layers of snow all year round. In fact, such an opinion is not entirely correct. Only the northern part of Canada is cold, while 90 percent of the country's total population lives in its southern part, where all 4 seasons are observed, and the air temperature in summer often reaches 30 degrees.
Australia
There is a common stereotype regarding the capital of Australia. Some people think it's Melbourne, others think it's Sydney. In fact, both statements are wrong. The capital of this country is Canberra. It is a small town that has been overshadowed by its more developed neighbors.
Popular stereotypes about the countries and people of Europe
Estonia
No matter how funny it may seem, residents of the CIS countries and the rest of the post-Soviet space consider the residents of Estonia to be inhibited and slow. There are reasons for this stereotype. They are connected with the peculiarities of the Estonian language. There are a large number of double vowels here, which seem to divide the word into two parts. Because of this, the ear notices pauses and speech seems slower.
In fact, Estonians speak quite quickly. For Finns, for example, it is much slower and about the same as for residents of the United States. However, the pace of life of local residents is really slow. This is because they do not like fuss and haste.
Netherlands
Almost all foreigners associate the Netherlands with drugs and total permissiveness. Tourists think that there are dealers on every corner of Amsterdam selling weed. In fact, the country's legislation clearly distinguishes between “hard” and “soft” drugs. Their sale is prohibited and is strictly punishable by law.
Soft drugs are sold exclusively in specialized outlets. Their sales volume is limited. Possession of these substances in large quantities is punishable by law, as is the unlicensed sale of hashish and marijuana.
It is worth noting that only 5.5 percent of all Dutch residents regularly use recreational drugs. The rest don't do this. Moreover, most of the Dutch are fanatical adherents of leading a healthy lifestyle.
Great Britain
It is difficult to find a person who has not heard the phrase “Oatmeal, sir” at least once. It was she who made the whole world believe that the British only eat porridge for breakfast. However, the local residents themselves refute this popular misconception in every possible way. The average Briton's classic breakfast is sausages, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, beans, and toast with salted butter.
Another common stereotype is the tea ceremony, which takes place every day at five o'clock. Many English textbooks provided similar information, which is why people certainly believed that every resident of England at five o’clock in the evening puts aside all his affairs and sits down to drink tea. In fact, such a tradition has not been observed by the British for a long time. Moreover, usually people at work or in a cafe prefer to drink coffee.
Spain
Residents of this country are trying to refute the opinion that bullfighting is their main, most revered and beloved sport. First of all, bullfighting is not considered a sport. Secondly, what Spaniards like most is football. For them, he comes first. Bullfighting is a monstrous spectacle, and most of the population has a negative attitude towards it.
Note: Since 2011, bullfighting has been banned in most areas of Spain. Where bullfights are still held, spectators have the right to vote.
France
It is believed that the French devote a lot of time and attention to proper nutrition. They prefer only gourmet dishes and have a negative attitude towards fast food. This opinion was true up to a certain point.
Previously, the state did not allocate funds and did not in any way welcome fast food establishments. However, recently the authorities have weakened their control, which is why local residents have begun to diligently consume both tasty and unhealthy food.
Sweden
There are also stereotypes about Sweden. Thus, foreigners are convinced that Carlson is the favorite fairy-tale character of all Swedes. This is not completely wrong. Local residents do not like Carlson because they believe that he sets a bad example for children. This is due to the bad character and negative qualities of the hero.
Whoever the Swedish population truly truly loves is Pippi Longstocking.
Conclusion
Stereotypes about various countries often have no logical basis or compelling reasons. You should not trust the opinion of the masses, especially in the age of unlimited access to information.
