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?
Interesting! I guess I assumed people looked at us as powerful, not obese. When we had a foreign exchange student in my class I asked many of these questions. I learned that I stereotyped and I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting to think about. Yes, everyone, at some point, is guilty of stereotyping someone or some group of people. Just as you mentioned, it is definitely not always meant in a bad or disrespectful way, although it can be at times. When I think of Americans I didn't think of cheeseburgers and obnoxious. I did however think of obesity, materialistic, and hard working.
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