How Stereotypical...

Everyone is guilty of it at some point, whether we mean to or not. Stereotypes are everywhere. Sometimes we are mistaken and meant no disrespect, other times people make a little fun out of stereotypes.

Before I even traveled to Europe I heard a lot of things about the Germans, English, Italians and French.

Some people told me to be prepared to be scolded by the French because they don't like Americans. Even my cousin said that when she was over there that she got stared down. I didn't witness any of that when I was over in France. There is also the stereotype that every person in France doesn't shower everyday, instead they shower themselves with perfume. I'm not sure that every person in France follows this stereotype. Although, the tour guide we had for the majority of my trip, I noticed she followed that code and she was from Berlin, Germany.

And there are of course the usual stereotypes that everyone hears, such as, all Germans love beer, the English have gross teeth and the all Italian men have huge eye brows. Sometimes these things are true but not all the time.

But have you ever thought about what they think of Americans?
Yes, most think of cheeseburgers, obesity and being obnoxious.

However, on my trip I spent the night on an overnight train to England. On this train I talked to an older man who was from England. He was asking me all these questions like "What is the Empire State building like?" and "How tall is the Statute of Liberty?". I know he didn't mean to, but since he knew I was from America he assumed that I had been to every well-known landmark in my country. This man also had never heard of Minnesota. He was only aware of the popular states like New York and California.

By talking to this man it made me realize a different perspective that I had never really gave much thought to. What did other people around the world assume or think about me, as an American?

Yum, Yum!

Ice Cream "Gelato" Rome, Italy 2012

One of the things I knew I would miss most when I left Europe was their ice cream. It is so true that a lot of foods and drinks are made more potent in the European countries.

As I traveled different countries, my classmates and I both noticed the enhanced flavor the ice cream had.

It is also typical especially in Germany to serve their ice cream with two different flavors. As you can see in the following photo, there is mango ice cream and chocolate ice cream together.

Not only was the ice cream flavor so much more flavorful, but as apart of our trip I noticed that German beer is extremely stronger smelling than American beer. Our tour guide encouraged us to go to this brewery in Germany and we had to casually make conversation with some locals. As I first walked into the brewery I passed by waitresses who were carrying huge mugs of German beer. Every time I passed a waitress, the scent of the beer was way stronger than if it was American beer. I thought the smell was strong when I stepped through the doorway, and I had no idea that the smell was capable of being stronger until I passed a few waitresses.

I have always heard that American beer is "watered down" in comparison to German beer, and now I can definitely say it's not just a small difference but that the statement is very true.