What is a Stereotype?
Stereotype: A fixed, commonly held opinion or image of a person or group, based on an oversimplification of some observed or imagined trait of behaviour or appearance.
Stereotypes are as old as human culture itself. They reflect ideas that groups of people hold about others who are different from them.
Stereotypes can be either positive ("black men are good at basketball") or negative ("women are bad drivers"). But most stereotypes ignore the uniqueness of individuals by painting all members of a group with the same brush.
Learning from the media and talking to older people, we pick up a lot of stereotypes about other nations. In every country there are plenty of stereotypes about residents but most of them are untrue and very wrongful.
What are the first three things which come into your mind when you hear the words 'England' or 'the English?
The most common picture depicting a typical Englishman is a man wearing a bowler hat and reading the Times newspaper.
'Men wearing bowler hats, pin striped suite, a newspaper under the arm and carrying a long unopen umbrella.'
' People think the English are no good at learning foreign languages and have the attitude that if they yell loud enough in English the "foreigners" will evertually understand them... '
'A lot of people think that the English are crazy about dogs and love them more than their kids!'
People think that the English are quite reserved, snobs.
French Myth #2 - French People are Rude
French Myth #3 - All French People Speak English, They Just Choose Not To
French Myth #4 - French Men are More Romantic
American Myth #1 - All Americans are Superficial
American Myth #3 - Americans Have No Fashion Sense
Top Stereotypes about American Women:
42. Fat and Lazy
2. Loud
3. Shallow
8. Easy
9. Stupid
12. Independent
13. Ugly
15. Agressive
16. Insists on Wearing Running Shoes with a Gucci Gown
19. All Want to Be the Prom Queen
21. They All Have Large Breasts
25. Loud Housewife
6. Looking for the Perfect Man & so Are Unhappy with Whom so Ever They Are with
27. Rich, Money and Power Hungry
28. Chewing All the Time
29. Ambitious
32. Racist
33. They Are Difficult to Understand
34. Extravagant
36. Only Care about Their Looks
37. Money Oriented
38. They Are Self-Centred.
39. Loudmouthed
44. All Want to Get Married and Have Babies
45. Too into Plastic Surgery
48. Hard Working Waitress Types
49. Powerful
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