Stereotypical Views of Countries

[thomas234]

Hi!

I was also thinking about my stereotypical views about other countries (especially the USA), and I'd like to know if any of them are even remotley correct!. Here they are:

1. Most of the people are obese? I'm pretty sure that this is wrong but you here a lot about overweight and obese Americans!
2. Someone told me there was a McDonalds within a mile of wherever you were (not in the smaller places, of course).
3. School children don't wear uniform?
4. Very ignorant! They always think that they're correct and the rest of the world is wrong?
5. Everyone has a gun?

I was also wondering what people from other countires thought about the UK?

Does anyone have any stereotypical views about the UK (e.g. that we all drink tea - which isn't true by the way :D - I hate tea!)? If you live in the UK, do you have any stereotypical views about Yorkshire? I didn't realise I even had a Yorkshire accent until a Londoner told me!

lol sorry for rambling!

Thomas

 

[Big B]

Hi!

I was also thinking about my stereotypical views about other countries (especially the USA), and I'd like to know if any of them are even remotley correct!. Here they are:

1. Most of the people are obese? I'm pretty sure that this is wrong but you here a lot about overweight and obese Americans!

Lots are. I'm probably not as surprised, given I live in one of the "fattest" states in the US. Now, I do think what constitutes as fat is inflated, especially given that some of the tabloids were saying Tyra Banks was fat (major WTF).

2. Someone told me there was a McDonalds within a mile of wherever you were (not in the smaller places, of course).

False, but there's likely some fast food chain within a few miles of home, be it McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, etc.

3. School children don't wear uniform?

Public schools don't. Most private schools do.

4. Very ignorant! They always think that they're correct and the rest of the world is wrong?

Depends on what. Overall intelligence isn't particularly exciting, and the lack of being forced to spell properly doesn't help this look.

5. Everyone has a gun?

No. Probably in Texas that's more true, but not everyone owns a gun. Our Constitution grants us the right to bear arms, so it's more common since it's not illegal. Some firearms are extremely expensive to liscense (like 50 cal. guns), but for the most part, you can get ahold of most firearms legally.
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UK Stereotypes

1.)Frequently use of the following words in the vocabulary: chap, jolly good, wanker, here here, bloody, bloody hell, etc.
2.)Gentlemenly.
3.)Too much fuss about royalty.
4.)Have top hat and cane
5.)All have that delightful "English" accent.

Australian Stereotypes
1.)Everyone says "G,day, mate" and "Crikey" (Steve Irwin's legacy)
2.)Descendents of criminals
3.)Live in the Outback
4.)Drink crappy beer like Fosters
5.)Own one of the following: Dingo, Kangaroo, Wallaby

Canadian Stereotypes
1.)Drink lots of beer
2.)Threaten to scecede (Quebec only)
3.)Have a funny way of speaking ("Aboot time, eh")
4.)Snow...all the time up there
5.)Laid back (does anybody every worry about making Canada angry?)

 

[thomas234]

UK Stereotypes

1.)Frequently use of the following words in the vocabulary: chap, jolly good, wanker, here here, bloody, bloody hell, etc.

Hehe I don't know anyone who's said chap, jolly good or here here :D, but wanker, bloody and bloody hell... yeah we use that a lot!

2.)Gentlemenly.

Maybe 100 years ago!

3.)Too much fuss about royalty.

True, I don't see why we need a royal family any more, they do very little for us.

4.)Have top hat and cane

:D As if!

5.)All have that delightful "English" accent.

The Royal Family maybe... Everyone here in Yorkshire has a 'right common accent'.

 

[WWR]

The accent is mainly about how you were brought up, not so much where. Because of my upbringing everyone I've met in my hometown thinks I must have moved here because of my different accent, but I've lived here all my life. *shrugs*

 

[edijs]

Well, many people which went to the US were seriously asked about Latvia things like "Do you have roads"? Jeez, man. What the hell?

 

[Tech]

Hi!


If you live in the UK, do you have any stereotypical views about Yorkshire? I didn't realise I even had a Yorkshire accent until a Londoner told me!

From a Westcountry boy all you Yorkshiremen are like Geoffrey Boycott....right?:D

True, I don't see why we need a royal family any more, they do very little for us.

The Royal Family are very important to the British people!! They're living proof that you can get away with murder. I think we should sell them to the Americans. They love all that stuff. They can have the family and we'll keep the real estate.

 

[WWR]

In reality the Royal Family is nothing more than an over-paid tourist attraction and media centrepoint, that could get me arrested too for 'treason' I bet. :P

 

[thomas234]

From a Westcountry boy all you Yorkshiremen are like Geoffrey Boycott....right?:D

The Royal Family are very important to the British people!! They're living proof that you can get away with murder. I think we should sell them to the Americans. They love all that stuff. They can have the family and we'll keep the real estate.

:D

Well, many people which went to the US were seriously asked about Latvia things like "Do you have roads"? Jeez, man. What the hell?

Yep, I can imagine some Americans doing that...

 

[WWR]

Many Americans can't tell the difference between a British and an Australian accent.

 

[Matt555]

UK Stereotypes

1.)Frequently use of the following words in the vocabulary: chap, jolly good, wanker, here here, bloody, bloody hell, etc.
2.)Gentlemenly.
3.)Too much fuss about royalty.
4.)Have top hat and cane
5.)All have that delightful "English" accent.

In response:
1. I use "bloody" a lot, just because I do really...
2. I suppose so, I've been told I'm an up-standing gentleman and a respectable person...
3. Meh, if they're there then leave them be, I don't mind.
4.
(It was fancy dress...)
5. I suppose I do, I've been told I talk "posh" but I don't think so.

Many Americans can't tell the difference between a British and an Australian accent.

Very true, Americans doing an "English" accent often sound Australian.

 

[Big B]

Very true, Americans doing an "English" accent often sound Australian.

I blame ebonics, which makes many Americans unable to form coherent sentances without severely butchering English.

UK English=soft and polite (Psst. God save the queen...bloody wanker.)
Aus English=loud and happy (G'day mate, let's get sloshed and go play toss the jellyfish)
Canadian English=who cares aboot it, eh. Give beer to the beavers.

 

[WWR]

Isn't there something that Australians do that makes almost every statement sound like a question?

Would be funny at a wedding.

"Do you take her to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do?"

:chk:

 

[Big B]

Well, the way the English language goes, if your voice goes up a little at the end of a sentance, that indicates it being a question.