2006-08-15 03:24:48 · 15 answers · asked by Rinkals 1 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
A lot of people do have that stereotype, the same way that people all over the world have different images in their head of different nationalities and places. For example, I was in South Africa speaking to some teenage girls from a private school, and they asked me if I had thought that they all had lions for pets. I hadn't thought that because my best friends are from South Africa, so I've always known how nice it is. But then when I told them that I was from Los Angeles, they all automatically thought that hung out with celebrities, lived on the beach, and wore bikinis all day. That would be a nice life, but unfortunately not true! So it's not just Americans that have a misperception of different people, but people all over the world have very stereotyped view of others.
2006-08-15 08:16:16 · answer #1 · answered by TracyMichele 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what to think about southern Africa. All they talk about on the news is the epidemics out there, and they're always showing pictures of dirty children in t-shirts in an impoverished setting. However, when you see things on the Discovery channel, they're running around with well-dressed educated people in vehicles with some nice farming areas and homes and everything. There's not enough coverage of the area for me to be able to form any sort of real opinion. I've seen either end of things, probably both extremes. Not the average.
2006-08-15 03:34:49 · answer #2 · answered by gilgamesh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that some Americans do still believe that lions roam the back yards of Southern Africa. However, many more people are more concerned about the system of government and the AIDS/HIV epidemic that plagues many in the population, and what its citizens are doing to decrease that percentage.
2006-08-15 03:30:52 · answer #3 · answered by Crazy kid 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not only Americans. Anyone who has never been to Africa, or doens't know much about Africa except for what he/she sees on the media. For instance I've never been to Russia. Each time I see Russia on TV I always see many dogs running on ice and pulling (something like a trolley with a man in it). So I think Russia is always covered in ice and means of transportation is dogs. A link below shows little part of Durban, South Africa. You can still drag it to any direction to see more of Durban and South Africa. I lived in South Africa for 34 years (I was born there) but I have never seen a lion in my life.
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=-29.759352&lon=31.062843&z=17.1&r=0&src=0
2006-08-15 10:39:36 · answer #4 · answered by Diezel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Though I can't speak for all Americans, I believe South Africa is rather well developed. There seems to be both good construction occurring there, as well as thriving industry. Johannesburg is a goodly-sized city, and is a well known port. While I believe small towns do exist, I cannot argue that America doesn't have its share of them too. I have lived in several: (Sykesville in Maryland), (Shrewsbury in Pennsylvania), and (Fuquay-Varina in North Carolina).
2006-08-15 03:36:39 · answer #5 · answered by wespectmyauthoritah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that. South Africa is a developed country that has had to go through allot over that pas several decades. The South Africans I have met have been pleasant and intelligent.
2006-08-15 03:28:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. My fiancee lives in South Africa, and tells me so much about the vast beauty and the night life. Myself, I love my South African honey, he is human like the rest of us. One day I will even live there, and make my American friends jealous with pictures. I love my country , but I have seen may pictures of SA and would really love to live there.
2006-08-15 03:32:34 · answer #7 · answered by Ahlam 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am an American.
From what I understand, South Africa is more affluent. I've heard it is also more ethically diverse than Northern Africa.
When I think of Northern Africa, I think of jungles and poorer areas, where as when I think of South Africa, I think of a more industrialized, modern country.
2006-08-15 03:30:41 · answer #8 · answered by journalboy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never given much thought. When i think Africa, i think of the savannah. I don't know much about the country, so that is probably why i will think of lions in the backyard.
2006-08-15 03:32:02 · answer #9 · answered by Jennie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah they do, but it's not only americans it all over the world.. I went somewhere in Turkey once and said I come from South Africa, they said OH MY GOD you have clothes??
yup there are stereotypes everywhere... now I just tell 'em I have a pet rhino ;)
2006-08-15 03:28:47 · answer #10 · answered by SilentAssassin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋