do you believe in stereotypes about people's nationalities?

Question

As for example: Russians drink vodka a lot; French are the most sexy, etc.
If you do what stereotypes do you know?

Answer 1

Stereotypes are generally not true and to assume anything about a person according to their nationality just leads to misunderstanding and possible racism. For example take the country that you are from and think about what is usually associated with it. Ireland is supposedly full of drinkers and brawlers. In fact the name paddy wagon came from the idea that this was used to transport the drunken Irish immigrants to the jails in north America. I can honestly say that the majority of those from Ireland are not at all like this yet this stereotype is perpetuated.
Scottish people are supposed to be very stingy and yet obviously if you have looked at the statistics with regards to consumer activity in this country it is the same as anywhere else.
The birth rate in France is around the same as anywhere else and always has been despite the fact that french are supposed to be all about amour.
Now by assuming that these facts are true people are missing out on learning about the more important aspects of the people that they meet, and also by becoming suspicious or accusatory based on the false assumptions that result from stereotyping a group.

Answer 2

Yes, pathetic are the people who stereotype people's cultures, especially when they have only traveled to the country in question for a week!!! They are most probably relying on the uneducated opinions of others, in which case they are uneducated themselves for quickly adopting these opinions of others!! I am born in Australia, half Japanese - spent most of my life in Australia, and I honestly believed (from my mother's influences) that I knew Japanese culture... BUT when I started living there, the first year was the hardest thing ever!! Sure as hell humbled me!! It took me 2 years to come close to a good understanding of the 'real' culture.... At the end of the day, sure culture exists in every country, some similar to others, but I like to think that every person is different and is an individual in some way shape or form. If we keep pigeon-holing people in stereotypical categories, we will never be able to understand each other.

Answer 3

Stereotypes are based in fact, but not in themselves, facts. For instance, the Russian culture does drink more than the western cultures, but then, so does Germany. Vodka is cheap to the russians, and in Germany, a coke cost as much, if not more than a beer.

Answer 4

Stereotypes are true. It's based on people's experiences, or else we wouldn't have them. Some people don't accept that there's a difference between stereotypes and fact. I'm an asian, and I accept my stereotypes because most are true. Some may not apply as much as I expect, but most do. I learn to live with it. I'm not going to throw a tantrum when someone asks me first for answers to math problems. Asians are good at math, true. Most asians don't listen to rock as much as techno/rap, true. Asians drive non-American cars, true. ESPN is for whites. Blacks listen to rap. Mexicans are illegal. Rich people are oblivious of other lifestyles. 70-80% of the time, these are true.

Answer 5

Stereotypes are based on some truth, but I don't really believe in them. Just because you can apply it to some people of that nationality, doesn't mean it's true for all and in the end it really is ignorant to judge people simply with stereotypes.

Answer 6

Honestly, I'd be lying if I said "no". I want to say "no" because it is politically correct. But in my heart, and based on my life experiences I do have some secret sterotypes of my own: Polish people are the most beautiful people in the world, Switzerland has the best cheese, Italians make the best cars, the British make the best comedy TV shows, etc....

Answer 7

The French being sexy is not a stereotype. Smelly and rude is the stereotype for the French.

Yes. Stereotypes are mostly truth. Or we wouldn't have them.

Answer 8

There's only one stereotype to go by; humans are all evil. No doubt, evil is live backwards. Lived is devil, and humans prove it second by second every second.

Answer 9

I hear irish people are binge drinkers and all Jamaicans have braids and reggae and the whole coconut. And that Filipinos are slutty, but its just ridiculous, rly its stupid and just rumors for people who have no life.

Answer 10

if i know the stereotype is true, then, yes. i dont believe most stereotypes about anything, though. unless i have factual proof and defently know its true.