Your Country's Stereotype

Now, I know this thread's probably asking for trouble, but let this be an exercise in poking fun at yourself once in a while, because more people need to learn to do that.

This isn't for mean-spirited stereotyping, but lighthearted looks at the stereotypes of one's own country. I thought it'd be interesting to have people try to pick out their own country's stereotypes.

For instance, the only stereotypes for Americans I'm aware of at present is that they're fat/lazy, dumb, sue-happy, and nosy (as in, foreign affairs). (Incidentally, I'm skinny as hell, and though I wouldn't call myself smart, I wouldn't say I'm dumb either. I have no intention of suing anyone and haven't ever been in court, and I hate that the country sticks its nose into places it shouldn't for stupid reasons.) How accurate is that relative to other countries' views of Americans? (Incidentally, as an American, I'd be tempted to call these stereotypes completely factual.)

The point is to try to guess what your country's stereotype is based on how you think other countries view it.

And please, people, for the love of crud, don't take this too seriously.

Well, I know the stereotype of the English is that they have bad teeth and drink tea all the time.

Although my teeth aren't chemically whitened or anything, I've never had a problem with them and have always been told by my dentist that they are very healthy.

I also hate tea and don't drink it >.< But almost everyone i know drinks it or coffee...xp

I'm a skinny passive-aggressive American. I think that any stereotype has to have some basis on fact though, no matter how far fetched it may seem.
But the American stereotypes don't really offend me, I think they're rather amusing, it's nice to laugh at yourself every once is a while. (there's a funny depiction of Americans in The Triplets of Belleville, and uh, well, Hetalia I guess)

fat, bossy, testosterone pumped unadaultered American asskicking, with a heavy scoop of "get in everyone's business" and "do whatever the hell we want to."

And awesome cars.

Originally Posted by Calliope

But the American stereotypes don't really offend me, I think they're rather amusing, it's nice to laugh at yourself every once is a while.

Exactly, and I hope most people are thinking like this.

While certain stereotypes were meant to be hurtful at first, they've become such a joke that I don't know how anyone can take them seriously.

I admit, I love the "British" stereotype-- the Professor Layton and Henry Hatsworth "good show!" type of stuff. I always love characters like that. But every time someone gets offended or fed up with stereotypes like that, it makes me think that they fail to realize that Americans make fun of themselves almost constantly.

Why else would we have myriad TV shows like sitcoms where the main characters are often fat, stupid, middle-class Americans? (Good example-- the Simpsons.)

Originally Posted by Notsil

fat, bossy, testosterone pumped unadaultered American asskicking, with a heavy scoop of "get in everyone's business" and "do whatever the hell we want to."

And awesome cars.

FIGHT THE POWER, DUDES

EDIT:
Oh yeah, another American stereotype I forgot: I've heard that other countries typically think "cowboy" when they think of Americans. I have no idea how true that is, but if it is true, that would be AWESOME.

I love the cowboy stereotype. XD Same thing with the British thing-- it makes for really fun characters.

Well thats just a lot of poppycock, Tonchiki old chap. Pip pip, and dare I take some Branston Pickle on my biscuits this evening! Tally-ho!

Oh yes, i agree, i find it amusing when the British are shown to be really posh using phrases like 'jolly good' and 'would you bother for a spot of tea'. I love how Stewie is portrayed in Family Guy!

But...No one here talks like that x3 except perhaps the Royal family and very old fashioned wealthy people. More annoyingly, many horrible 'chavs' here talk like 'innit blad' and 'shes a buff ting'.

I would rather have the posh stuff any day.

Originally Posted by Notsil

Well thats just a lot of poppycock, Tonchiki old chap. Pip pip, and dare I take some Branston Pickle on my biscuits this evening! Tally-ho!

'Twill be a most joyous occasion, my good dear boy lad, eh wot?
Indeed! I say! Smashing!

Originally Posted by PocketCucco

Oh yes, i agree, i find it amusing when the British are shown to be really posh using phrases like 'jolly good' and 'would you bother for a spot of tea'. I love how Stewie is portrayed in Family Guy!

But...No one here talks like that x3 except perhaps the Royal family and very old fashioned wealthy people. More annoyingly, many horrible 'chavs' here talk like 'innit blad' and 'shes a buff ting'.

I would rather have the posh stuff any day.

I would hope people are smart enough to realize nobody talks like that. But I live in America, so... I durn well reckon folks might.

Mexicans

Border crossing, sweaty and soccer playing mexicans baby!

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

'Twill be a most joyous occasion, my good dear boy lad, eh wot?
Indeed! I say! Smashing!

I would hope people are smart enough to realize nobody talks like that. But I live in America, so... I durn well reckon folks might.

xD Haha!

We do say bloody a lot though :p

People think we live in trees and/or in africa. Hondurans I mean. Why isn't there a flag for my country here!?

You forgot the other major stereotype about Americans - that they think their world revolves around their country and thus can't point out other countries on a map. :3

The stereotype about Australians is largely a positive one, as far as I can tell, about us being tough and drinking beer and being friendly. People who are trying to annoy us don't use stereotypes to do so but rather ancestry - the whole "descendants of convicts" thing.

I wonder how many Americans realize how silly it is to point out that Australian descendants were considered British criminals when the descendants of Americans were British criminals on the scale of high treason.

Dude, Cody.

Aussies and Amuricins are LIKE THE SAME THING!

DOWN WITH THE QUEEN

Originally Posted by Cody

You forgot the other major stereotype about Americans - that they think their world revolves around their country and thus can't point out other countries on a map. :3

I was shocked to discover this is partially true. But I also heard many Americans can't even point out America on a world map! That... I don't even know how people would be able to dress themselves.

The stereotype about Australians is largely a positive one, as far as I can tell, about us being tough and drinking beer and being friendly. People who are trying to annoy us don't use stereotypes to do so but rather ancestry - the whole "descendants of convicts" thing.

Don't forget boomerangs, kangeroos, shrimps on the barbie, and those other such trademark tchotchkes of Australia.

I wonder how many Americans realize how silly it is to point out that Australian descendants were considered British criminals when the descendants of Americans were British criminals on the scale of high treason.

But that's different, Americans were right!

Admittedly, I've never ever heard that bit about Australians being "criminals".

I also forgot about the thing where most people from the US think "America" refers solely to the United States (of America, not of the various other countries that have united states), when it is in fact the entirety of North, Central, and South America.

I say "American" because we have no freaking word to describe someone from the USA and it's just easier. Sue me. See what I did there?

I shag sheep and mine for coal according to the Welsh stereotype.

But I don't shag sheep. I make love to them.

Puck is Canadian, He lives in an Igoo, drinks too many Double Double, is lazy apathetic, mellow, nice, and he ends every sentence in eh, eh?

Puck also has a pet polar bear.

Puck also must like hockey, eh?

Originally Posted by Cody

You forgot the other major stereotype about Americans - that they think their world revolves around their country and thus can't point out other countries on a map. :3

I personally believe the U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some, uh...people out there in our nation don't have maps, and, uh, I believe that our education like such as South Africa and, uh, the Iraq everywhere like, such as and...I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., err, uh, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children...

^ Winner.
Now, I'm off to wrangle some dogies 'fore high noon, when I hafta git to a showdown in the middle of town with some ornery feller.