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Country stereotypes can be harmful, but other times they can be downright hilarious. No matter where you are from, you've probably had someone spout of some ridiculous stereotype about your city, country, or continent. But this list of memes proves there may be some truth to those funny stereotypes.

'Meanwhile, in X' is a viral country meme series based on the participial phrase 'Meanwhile in…,' "a literary device that allows an easy segue between two concurrent events in different places. Scroll down below to check out some of the most hilariously funny memes from places around the world (including your own). Don't forget to upvote your favs!

The first account of the "Meanwhile in" meme appeared sometime in February 2010. A flipped image of a Holden Commodore (a very common Australian-made sedan) with the caption "Meanwhile in Australia" appeared on 4chan via /b/ board. The image alluded to the age-old joke that everything in Australia is "upside-down" (due to its southern hemisphere location), and the new meme quickly went viral across imageboard sites, blog networks and aggregator services. Since then, multiple variations with other countries and their stereotypes have been posted.

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    #3

    Meanwhile In Canada

    Meanwhile In Canada

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    Daria Z
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've only once seen a man in a women's bathroom, and that man was peeking in my stall from above. Well, I wasn't inclined to be as understanding as this ad tells me to :/

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    Before there was the internet and memes there were books. This meme originates from a much older expression "Meanwhile, back at the X," a plot transition technique that is as old as Homer. It rose to popularity in the nineteenth century, when most novels were serialized in popular magazines. 

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    This literary strategy made its way to film and was used in silent movies when transitions were achieved through title cards interspersed between scenes. In the earliest days, studios didn’t make custom cards for each new movie, but instead used a set of stock cards: “One Year Later,” “Comes the Dawn,” and most famously “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch” were the cards used when the action cutaway. 

    #7

    Meanwhile In Japan

    Meanwhile In Japan

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    Troux
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is in Nara, Japan, where the deer are treated as fellow citizens.

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    Radio programs took on the phrase as well for their popular Western programs - such as The Lone Ranger. "During the course of a battle between settlers and Indians or cowboys and outlaws, there would be a flashback to the ranch preceded by the caption (or radio message), “Meanwhile, back at the ranch.” The phrase became part of the common lexicon and was used in casual conversation. During Lyndon Johnson’s presidency (1963–69), according to William Safire, the phrase was used to refer to activities at the LBJ Ranch in Texas.

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    While not everyone knows the origin, this phrase has evolved to take on a meaning all its own. According to Robert Hendrickson, author of the "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" (Facts on Files, New York, 1997) says: "meanwhile, back at the ranch. An expression that originated as a movie caption in the silent film era at the beginning of the century, these words are used humorously today when someone wants to get back to a story after going off on a tangent."

    #10

    Meanwhile In Texas

    Meanwhile In Texas

    Just moved to Texas. Fitting in perfectly

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    engineer_nope.avi
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *in David Attenborough's voice* Here, we are able to witness a wild Honda trying to blend in with his bigger cousins. It seems that he is doing quite well.

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    #13

    Meanwhile In Iceland

    Meanwhile In Iceland

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    Elsker
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    makes me wonder what this place is, to be mistaken 4 a penis museum so often

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    #15

    Meanwhile In Canada

    Meanwhile In Canada

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    Paul K. Johnson
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of Florida. You're sitting at a traffic light dry as a bone with the sun beating down on you and right across the intersection the cars have their wipers on high as buckets of rain is unleashed on them.

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    #18

    Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

    Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

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    Lil Bare
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Residents better be urinating with precision and elegance upon this very sign of glamour and capitalism

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    #30

    Meanwhile In Finland, We Really Do Love Our Personal Space

    Meanwhile In Finland, We Really Do Love Our Personal Space

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    #31

    Meanwhile In Canada

    Meanwhile In Canada

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    Koalamonster
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No it's not on THAT Street it's on THE OTHER Street. Just go down This Street and turn right on The Other Street and you can't miss it.

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    #32

    Meanwhile In USA, While Dogs Nationwide Are Hiding Under Beds

    Meanwhile In USA, While Dogs Nationwide Are Hiding Under Beds

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    #36

    Meanwhile In Florida

    Meanwhile In Florida

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    Lizard Queen
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gators taste like what they've been eating: if they're on a diet of chicken, they taste like chicken. The one I had was apparently raised on raw sewage and hatred.

    Kate Avery
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had gator (my boyfriend loves it) and didn't find it fishy or gamey at all. In fact, it kind of tastes like chicken (kind of).

    Bored Moogle
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had alligator and it didn't taste fishy or gamey to me. In fact, I thought it was more tender and sweet than chicken.

    Randomcthulu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had gator in a sandwich before, it was good, somewhere between pork and chicken

    Louise Brigance
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoever told you it tasted like chicken lied...it taste like the nasty end of road kill served with gravy. It's disgusting.

    Kimberley Thom
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    prefer the sign under the main one. That should be the highlight.

    Bettye McKee
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People in Florida can't spell alligator? No wonder they call them gators.

    Id row
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought it was supposed to taste like chicken. That's the common consensus.

    borklaser
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its kind of like chicken, closest thing you can equate to. It is chewy and gamey. Not sure about fishy? Ive only had it fried.

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    Calypso poet
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had gator soup in a creole bar. It was tomato based. Not bad. Slightly chewy and gamey but more like chicken. Probably would find better in the south. I would try again.

    Brandy Grote
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gator is definitely odd tasting! I'd rather have Rocky Mountain oysters!

    María Hermida
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. No. No. Neither gator nor Rocky Mountain oysters! I wish I had a "vomiting" emoji! Who can eat gator????

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    #38

    Meanwhile In Poland

    Meanwhile In Poland

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    Wyndmere
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sisters from the Angels of Mercy Convent requested a car with wings. They got one.

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    #40

    Meanwhile In Australia, High Is The Second Lowest Fire Danger Rating

    Meanwhile In Australia, High Is The Second Lowest Fire Danger Rating

    Brinq Report

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    Ceredwyn Ealanta
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those who are curious about the last one, Catastrophic has this definition: "For your survival, leaving early is the only option. Leave bush fire prone areas the night before." That is, basically, the fire fighters know they cannot control or affect a fire which starts in these conditions. NOTHING they can do will stop it, and if you are still at home, you are risking their lives by being there.

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    #53

    Meanwhile In Germany

    Meanwhile In Germany

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    engineer_nope.avi
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me: do you want a drink? | Friend: Sure | Me: Which bier do you want? | Friend: Yes!

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    #54

    Meanwhile In Florida

    Meanwhile In Florida

    My sister lives in Florida and sends some weird pictures of people. This was most recent.

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    #57

    Meanwhile In Texas

    Meanwhile In Texas

    This is apparently an acceptable food aisle in Texas

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    #58

    Meanwhile In Dubai

    Meanwhile In Dubai

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    sakora
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is no parking place here, take it back home, I'll cail when i need it back...

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    #60

    Meanwhile In Rural Bavaria, Germany

    Meanwhile In Rural Bavaria, Germany

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    Nicky OldfieldDesciple
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live in rural Ireland. I have been in my car surrounded by sheep many times. It's what we call here an Irish traffic jam.

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    #65

    Meanwhile In Canada, Aftermath Of Legalization At A Grocery Store

    Meanwhile In Canada, Aftermath Of Legalization At A Grocery Store

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    #68

    Meanwhile In Florida

    Meanwhile In Florida

    My co-worker's friend just saw this in Florida while driving..they were even barking.

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    #69

    Meanwhile In Finland, Warnings Of Icy Roads, Forest Fires, Grass Fires And High Winds

    Meanwhile In Finland, Warnings Of Icy Roads, Forest Fires, Grass Fires And High Winds

    Fawx93 Report

    #71

    Meanwhile In Dubai

    Meanwhile In Dubai

    kieranshaneegan Report

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    Johnny
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It sucks when a candy bar gets jammed in the machine, it must *really* suck when your gold bar gets stuck.

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