There are many a stereotype in the world. Here are a few (as taken from this site:
Here we have the Canadian Stereotype:
American – arrogant; assertive; open-minded; materialistic; ambitious; progressive; efficient; straight-forward; alert; practical; US-centered world view; egoistic; anxious; fast food eaters; war mongers; God is with us!
British (UK) – drinkers; lousy food; stiff upper-lips; ultra-traditional; steady-on, old chaps; bulldog spirit; bad teeth and hygiene; rude; thin; smoke cigar or pipe; scruffy hair; “fitted” clothing; heavy binge drinkers; swear all day long; artistic; “fashionable”; deep thinkers; intelligent and articulate; boastful; anti-American; ride bikes; God save the Queen!
And just because I see some people in France are reading my blog (Sacrebleu! lol), here we have the French Stereotype:
French – good lovers; best cuisine in the world; chaotic; irresponsible; introverted; selfish; cultured; social “players”; do not like to work – prefer to strike; always surrender in war; don’t speak English; rude to tourists; anti-American; ungrateful; live in a bureaucratic Socialist system, totally dependent on the state; don’t use soap; arrogant and conceited; distant and difficult to meet; don’t respect religious freedom; snobs; God who?
Brazilians – body-centric; party animals; impulsive; incestuous; megalomaniac; most women are super-models, most men are gay or machos; always late; carnivals addicts; soccer and coffee lovers; criminals and robbers; lazy/manana attitude; bean and meat eaters; beach and sun-worshipers; bikini (called: dental floss here) inventors; active; inventive and constructive people; always trying to outwit government and regulations; impossibly favor-oriented; family- and community-oriented
The whole point of this post started because in the last two days (and of course on other days as well) I've heard some very negative stereotypes about Brazilians being spoken out loud. By Brazilians. It seems to me that Brazilians have a very negative stereotype of themselves and I really didn't understand where it came from. In Canada, at least, the impression Canadians have of Brazil is beautiful women, small bikinis, beaches, carnival, soccer. At least, that's all I really knew about before meeting a (real life!) Brazilian. Of course, it's a true stereotype but maybe it just perpetuates the Canadian stereotype that we're all so nice and open-minded, that we really wouldn't have a negative opinion about anyone anyway (except Americans of course!)!
Anyway, the only things I ever hear Brazilians saying about themselves is that they are lazy, hate working, and steal everyone's shit. Oh that, and they are all so friendly because they kiss hello (and North American's are cold because they don't). Getting off topic! Note to self: Don't turn this into a rant!
In the last two days I mean, I've heard 2 Brazilians talking about how Brazilians hate working and if they didn't have to work they wouldn't. And they were telling this to their BOSS! And the 3rd guy said that in Canada, the reason Canadian are able to carry our bikes on the front of busses (side story) is because no Brazilians live there! They say in Brazil, you would never be able to do this because someone would steal your bike.
I just wanted to get to the bottom of whether or not certain stereotypes exist cross-culturally and if these stereotypes are generally true or not.
What do you guys think of this stereotype? I personally have never even seen this type of behaviour in 'real' Brazilians. At least, no more than you see it in any other culture.
The point is, stereotypes exist because 'apparently' the majority of the population is like that. According to the website I acquired this info from though, it says that “National character stereotypes are not even exaggerations of real differences: They are fictions.”
I dunno though! You tell me - what do you think of your own stereotype? Is it true for a lot of people or totally off?
