2. What are the stereotypes?
2
Stereotypes are generalizations that we apply to the group of people,
things, nationalities, professions etc. Stereotypes have a great impact on
the way that we think.
Some stereotypes are based on reality, and some are just general
assumptions that we have learnt from media or other people.
People like to categorize things, and this is one of the reasons stereotypes
exist.
National stereotypes are generalizations about countries or nationalities.
And, just like the other types of stereotypes, national stereotypes are
general assumptions and couldn’t be applied to every person from a
certain nationality. In fact, many national stereotypes tend to be offensive
for people, because they’re based on negative conception instead of real
facts.
3. We would like to
present some
national
stereotypes:
3
5. “In the United States, over 35 percent of adults are
obese. People in other countries tend to believe that
Americans are the fattest people in the entire world, and
that they sit around eating bon-bons and fast food all day.
However, a 2012 study conducted by the CIA indicates
that while the United States is near the top of the charts in
obesity rates, there are five other countries who have a
higher percentage of obesity.
5
7. “There are not many places in the UK where you could
accidentally spill your beer on someone else at the pub and they
would apologize to you and ask you if you were alright. In
Canada, that’s pretty much the norm.
In particularly friendly parts the guy you spilled on might even
offer to buy you another beer just to make sure things are ok and
that he did not offend you. Niceness is something that does not
really have a downside. Canada is a great place to live because
the majority of people you run into are genuinely concerned for
your well-being and want you to have a good day. 7
9. “I mean, I guess some do and some are? The Soviet era was
a super crucial time for many Russians. It was a time of
tremendous advancements in science and economic prosperity.
When the USSR collapsed, Russia’s GDP was sliced in half.
Like, when we see the turmoil between Ukraine and Russia, it
isn’t because they’re hating on each other for fun—there’s a lot
of history behind Russia and its former states. But with that said,
no, Russians don’t worship Stalin.
9
11. “This is one stereotype that, most of the time, is actually
right. We Brits love to sip, slurp and gulp down tea while
occasionally dunking a digestive in there too. The fact that those
abroad know about our love of tea means no one will be
surprised when you whip out the Tetley’s.
If you want to take it a step further, stick your pinky out when
sipping to ensure you fulfill the stereotype of a British tea-
drinker.
11
13. “That one is true for some people. Wine is often served with
food and every celebration goes with wine.
There is also a whole drinking etiquette that you are supposed to
follow.
Yet, younger people tend to prefer cheap alcohol and you will
rarely see people drink wine in bars.
Wine is still considered a “classy” drink, something you should
enjoy and not simply an alcohol you drink to get wasted.
That’s why you won’t see people drinking wine directly from
the bottle for example. 13
15. “Is it true?: TRUE! (mostly)
Italians do eat pasta everyday, sometimes twice a day depending
on the phase of the moon and the direction of the wind. Unless
it’s risotto. And comparing these foods to the strand shaped
sludge of the same name in China is like peeing into a hurricane.
15
17. “It’s the common stereotype about Belorussian people and
Belorussian cuisine. Although Belorussian cuisine has a lot of
meals with potatoes, and Belorussian people love to eat
potatoes, China, in fact, is the biggest potato producer and
consumer.
17