Stereotypes

[Devanshu]

tgpo's homework post discussion inspired me to do this...dont know if you guys will like it or not but I would like some answers. We have a very diverse group here and I think it's a good chance to clear up some typical stereotypes we have about each other's country. As a general rule, dont be offended...it's all in good fun. Who knows, you may actually learn something

First, I have never been to England and the American telivison portrays the english people as people with bad teeth. For instance, I was watching a show a while back called Keen Eddie(on fox...there was nothing else on). Its about a cop who transfers from NY to London. In that particular episode, he goes into a bar and goes up to talk to the bartender and immediately the camera zooms in on his horrible, yellow teeth.

Feel free to answer and/or add another stereotype you'd like cleared up.

[Doggiedaddy]

[housepig]

Devanshu -

while I applaud the sentiment and think you're coming from a sincere place, I'm not sure if this is a good thread.

mainly because no matter how light you try to keep it, or how polite you encourage people to be, someone is going to be offended.

And then an endless stream of crap will start flying from one end of the thread to another.

but good luck.... I think you'll need it.

[Will Hay]

Congratulations, this might well be the most idiotic content for a post I have ever seen.

First, I have never been to England and the American telivison portrays the english people as people with bad teeth

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!
Yes, we all have really bad teeth.
All of us.
ALL OF US.
We all have bad teeth.
Glad I could clear it up for you.
W.

[holistic]

This has to be my favourite STEREOTYPE :P
http://www.sunfire.com/cinemaseven_signature.htm

[Gees]

:cD

[Will Hay]

This has to be my favourite STEREOTYPE :P
http://www.sunfire.com/cinemaseven_signature.htm

At last, a sensible post
W.

[i_am_dave]

My favorite stereotype has always been Marantz or Kenwood. Pioneer is OK also. (for cars stereo)

Edit -- Houspig is right, and thank you Will for effectively killing this thread. You saved some poor moderator from having to lock it later on today.

[RabidDog]

ACtually re the "bad teeth" stereotype, strangely is not that the English have bad teeth, just when compared to the US. This stems from the war and the rationing that carried on for many years after. The idea of sweets being a "treat" became firmly embedded in the pysche. Also preventative dentistry was never pushed as dentists were paid on amount of work done rather than work saved. They had no incentive to prevent teeth rotting and so didnt. Again the NHS wouldnt pay for cosmetic dentistry as it was considered frivolous.



what about the stereotype of US citizens being ignorant of world geography..

[Devanshu]

what about the stereotype of US citizens being ignorant of world geography..

That one actually is true. A lot people dont know anything outside the US boundries.

Sorry if I offended anyone...see this is why we need a delete topic button, when stupid people like me dont know when to keep their mouth shut.

[tgpo]

what about the stereotype of US citizens being ignorant of world geography..

That's so not true. UK...is that in North Dakota??

[Gees]

Aw, Devanshu, don't be hard on yourself. I took it that you meant to dispel silly assumptions. Right? :c)

PS - there's a new addition for you. ;c)

[SLICK RICK]

Sorry if I offended anyone...see this is why we need a delete topic button, when stupid people like me dont know when to keep their mouth shut.

We all know you meant well, so dont worry about it.

SLICK RICK

[Devanshu]

Thanks Gees and Slick

I was just curious as to what others have encountered. I know they're not true...since they are stereotypes.

For instance, I have an unusual name and when I tell people what it is, I get asked about my nationality. I respond indian and here are the most popular responses:

"Have you been in a teepee?"(Mistaking indians from india to natvie americans)

"Is it true that everyone's poor?"

and my favorite: "Do you wear a turban?" At this one I'm tempted to say "Yes, its fused with my hair and when I go out into the public it retracts".

[Gees]

Yes, we all get sick & tired of being asked the same silly things over and over. I guess too many people rely on sitcoms for their information. :cD

I used to get really hurt that people called my home state of New Jersey "The Garbage State". When it is really called "The Garden State".

Once one joke or play on words gets out there - forget it - it's all over.

From now on, since I've told you that, you might start to notice that in 100s of movies/films there are bad comments about N.J. Like it's worse than a root canal, stuff like that. There is a line in so many major films that anyone who's never been there would believe that.

And it's not true. :c)

[MOVIEGEEK]

Let me clear up some stereotypes about Californians:
1)not everyone eats tofu.
2)most of us don't live by the ocean or surf.
3)our streets are not paved with gold.
4)not everyone says "dude".
5)we don't have earthquakes everyday.
6)most of us don't hug trees.
7)as some have predicted California will not fall off into the Pacific ocean, Los Angeles will be located in San Francisco in about 1 million years due to the San Andreas fault.

[Conquest10]

what about the stereotype of US citizens being ignorant of world geography..

yes, they did a survey. somewhere like 90% couldn't tell on a world map where iraq or afghanistan were. and something like 50% couldn't even find the US or Canada on a world map.

[housepig]

I read a study somewhere that said that 90% of people who cite statistics cannot find an actual citation for the study... but I'll be damned if I can find that article

[Conquest10]

actually, it was on cnn a couple months ago.

[Conquest10]

this reminds me of the simpsons:

Kent: Mr. Simpson, how do you respond to the charges that petty vandalism such as graffiti is down eighty percent, while heavy sack-beatings are up a shocking nine hundred percent?
Homer: Aw, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. Forfty percent of all people know that.
Kent: I see. Well, what do you say to the accusation that your group has been causing more crimes than it's been preventing?
Homer: [amused] Oh, Kent, I'd be lying if I said my men weren't committing crimes.
Kent: [pause] Well, touche'.

[zzyzzx]

Actually the TV show The Simpsons is a great place to learn about stereotypes.

[tgpo]

54.987% of all statictics are made up on the spot.

[Gees]

That's only correct in 35.624% of instances.

[Gees]

72.851% of the world population knows that!

Get your facts right, please.


:cD

[Devanshu]

Thats only 25% correct

[Doggiedaddy]

Let me clear up some stereotypes about Californians:
1)not everyone eats tofu.
2)most of us don't live by the ocean or surf.
3)our streets are not paved with gold.
4)not everyone says "dude".
5)we don't have earthquakes everyday.
6)most of us don't hug trees.
7)as some have predicted California will not fall off into the Pacific ocean, Los Angeles will be located in San Francisco in about 1 million years due to the San Andreas fault.

"as some have predicted California will not fall off into the Pacific ocean"

Bummer, from a native son.
jm2c

[racer-x]

gees wrote:

I used to get really hurt that people called my home state of New Jersey "The Garbage State". When it is really called "The Garden State".

I used to drive through Jersey every weekend for about 9 years. I also raced in Atco, wich is in southern Jersey. I think about 90% of Jersey is pretty good. The only parts that look pretty bad, is when you get around Elizebeth - Rahway area. There's always a strange smell in the air, I guess it's all the refineries.

I also work with people originally from Jersey, and I think the're pretty cool people.

[Devanshu]

I've never said this before, but racer, I applaud you. I recently drove my uncles bike for the first time and decided against it. To race bikes, you need nerves of steel. I've been skydiving but I thought that was scarier. You got some big ones my friend.

[racer-x]

Well I started riding bikes when I was 14. I had a bike and 2 cars before I even had my license. I used to race cars on the street when I was a teenager, but soon realized you can go a lot faster for a lot less money on a bike.

The first time I raced my bike at a real race track, I came in first place. I had to strap the trophy to the back of my bike and rode it home (90 mi). A few days latter, I got a check in the mail for $200. That's how I got hooked.

I guess you could say it takes a lot of gutts. Riding a bike just comes natural to me.

[Devanshu]

It does take a lot of guts...and I found out firsthand.