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Ah, cultural stereotypes. The notion that all Parisians are mean snobs, all Americans are dumb, and the Irish – rowdy alcoholics. As long as it is all in good humor and not used for propagating unnecessary hate, what’s the harm in poking fun at some common traits the locals have?

In this thread, people started sharing the things about their home countries that people stereotype most often. One person asked others to share their experiences, as they posted a question: “What is the main stereotype about your country?” Funnily enough, while people debunked most of these silly stereotypes, some, they said, are true.

#1

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Germany: "Our stereotype is best told with a joke: 'How many Germans do you need to change a light bulb?' One. We are very efficient and not funny."

R3v1cu7 , Ivan Radic/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#2

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries USA: Guns and fat people.

GatoThor , Tim Samuel/Pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Hodmi
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBH, as a foreigner living in The States, it's more true than I wished it was.

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#3

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Any country in Africa: "That Africa is one homogeneous country, not an entire continent made up of 50+ distinct countries."

ta_ref , YoTuT/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#4

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Switzerland: "Everything is clean, and everything is wildly expensive. Yes, this is entirely true."

TheHighFlyer , crash71100/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#5

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Germany: We're beer drinking sausage eaters with an addiction of starting World Wars.

anon , David Pursehouse/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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#6

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Australia: "That the whole country is dangerous. That spiders, drop bears, snakes, feral cats, and dogs will rip your heart out every time you step out the door."

Cletus_Spooge_pants , Tom Woodward/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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james stevenson
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The drop bears have actually gotten more dangerous since getting their paws on some tactical gear. Drop bears are now an elite fighting force.

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#7

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries France: "Everyone is rude and unwelcoming. Most stereotypical 'rude' French people live in Paris. The rest of us are way more kind and polite."

AtStitch , Diana Titenko/Pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Oerff On Tour
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My experience is that the people in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille *are* mostly rude. The rest? People are kind and helpful. In the major cities they expect foreigners to be fluent in French, and if you only string two French words together, they refuse to speak anything else than French. The rest of the country will try everything to understand each other. (The younger generation does speak at least reasonable English, but the older generation hardly had English in school. But they're trying)

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#8

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Spain: "So many tourists associate my whole country with bull fighting and the culture around it. In reality, most people I know hate or ignore this 'tradition' all together. In fact, parts of the country don't even allow it anymore."

dpacheco3 , ainudil/Flickr (nott he actual photo) Report

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Juliet Ware
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a disgusting past time and the person should come together to get it banned.

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#9

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Italy: "That we eat pasta six times per week at least. Honestly, it's true for the vast majority of Italians."

Doxep , Engin Akyurt/Pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Daniela Lavanza
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can confirm. Also, we drink liters of coffee everyday, save maybe on the morning for those like me who prefer cappuccino. :-)

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#10

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Poland: "That the whole country is a grey, depressing wasteland. In reality, it's a very beautiful place with tons of gorgeous nature."

Space_Codette , Andrew Milligan sumo/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#11

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Canada: "That we're all really polite and we put maple syrup on everything. (At least the maple syrup stereotype is true, though.)"

TheBulldogIsHere , Pete Jelliffe/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Sergy Yeltsen
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The "All Canadians are nice" stereotype loses some of it's punch when you realise their way of having fun is tying knives to the bottom of their shoes and hitting each other with big sticks.

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#12

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Lebanon: I would say one of the main stereotypes of my country(Lebanon) is that we come from a desert even though our country's terrain has no desert within it whatsoever. Albeit, our neighboring countries do.

Jad-Ali-Dakroub , Giorgio Montersino/Flickr Report

#13

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Scotland: "We all eat haggis, drink whisky, and wear skirts."

crazyface81 , John William Hammond/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Downunderdude
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Is anything worn under the kilt?' 'Nooo, laddie, it's all in good working order'

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#14

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries UK: We all speak with a posh accent, or say "its chewsday innit bruv".

WhyAmIHereExactlyHM , Stig Andersen/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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#15

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Ireland: Drink a lot of alcohol and our diet consists entirely of potatoes. The "Luck of the Irish" is also a load of nonsense. The phrase is laced with irony.

fedupofbrick , Henri Bergius/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Luke Branwen
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not Irish, but I know the struggle of being a non-drinker in a country famous for its alcohol consumption.

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#16

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Finland: That were only happy and social when drunk. And sadly there’s 100% truth to it too.

anon , Bernt Rostad/fFlikcr (not the actual photo) Report

#17

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Egypt: "We all ride around on camels. I'm an Egyptian, and I have never seen a camel in real life."

delpanto93 , B Balaji/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#18

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries New Zealand: "That the only thing we care about is rugby and we all live in hobbit holes. I, for one, am absolutely terrified of rugby."

GalactikNZ , Kerrie _/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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#19

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Sweden: "That all our women are really beautiful. Yes, it's true, and it's sad because I have zero chance with any of them."

off-and-on , Yuli Como/Pexels (not the actual photo) Report

#20

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Australia: I have a couple:

That we ride kangaroos, we always say “g’day”, “mate”, and “shrimp on the barby” (we call them prawns), that we’re some redneck backwards country, and that we don’t exist.

anon , John Vetterli/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#21

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Germany: "That everyone wears lederhosen. As a German, I can tell you that no one walks around in lederhosen except in Munich on Oktoberfest...or tourists visiting the country."

levelup_jar , urlesque/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a German I can tell you that I see people wearing Lederhosen regularly, at least here in the very South of Bavaria

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#22

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Colombia: "Colombian here. People immediately associate my country with c**aine and Pablo Escobar. Netflix’s Narcos sure didn’t help. The guy's been dead for almost 30 years, and we still can’t seem to get rid of that monster."

Timullin , jessicadally/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Ace
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He may be 30 years gone, but you've managed to replace him with a series of others, all just as bad as each other.

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#23

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries India: "That all we eat is curry. We have thousands of different dishes, and not everything is spicy."

_negiboi , nakashi/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What ininformed people tend to not know is that India is a huge country with many peoples and I think 23 official languages. And therefore the cuisine is very different depending on where you are.

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#24

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries France: That we are unpleasant and we stink .. we always carry a baguette too.

Groumoum , Jeremy Keith/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#25

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries South Africa: "That we don't have paved roads, cities, electricity, or any of the modern conveniences, it's just jungle filled with animals where everyone lives in mud huts. I wouldn't say these stereotypes annoy me, but they certainly amuse me."

Reapr , Domenico Convertini/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Genevieve Smith
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eishkom ensures the "no electricity" part is accurate. And, although we're surrounded by sea, our water apparently is also depleting. Stereotypical of a third world country, which, thanks to the ANC, South Africa has now become.

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#26

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Mexico: "The whole country is made up of deserts. It's hot and sunny all the time. We wear sombreros all the time. We only drink tequila, and we can all dance salsa. None of these things are true about my country."

mitzina Report

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#27

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Finland: "That we are quiet, introverted, and like our privacy. There are exceptions, especially among younger people, but most of us really don't know how to speak to other people. If you want to start a random conversation on a bus or a train, you'd better be, like, 80 years old or drunk."

anonymous , Basak Senova/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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PeTeH
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Finland was voted the happiest country in the world". No, it wasn't. It wasn't a vote. We have clean air and nature, and support of welfare state, building a strong base to build happiness, but it doesn't mean we are happy.

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#28

England: "That we have bad teeth, bad food, and good manners."

Big_Caregiver_2725 Report

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PeTeH
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tourists and football fans don't do favors for Englands reputation.

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#30

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries New Zealand: "That we all say stuff like 'put another shrimp on the barbie.' Shrimp is not a thing here. We call them prawns."

ChanceRegret2607 , Jeremy Keith/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#31

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Brazil: "That our biggest pastimes are samba and soccer, that we live in the middle of the jungle, and that Brazil is made up only of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro."

pao-de-mel , Vitorio Benedetti/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think people realize how huge Brazil is...especially for someone like me who lives on a tiny island.

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#33

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Since I do not know if there is a Main one, the few ones I know and have people said to me are:
-It is not safe to travel here

-We only speak "African" (African isn't a language.)

-We all are extremely Poor

-We are either Elon Musk, or a Villager

-Wild Animals roam freely around the Country.

The hint for the country I am referring to is Elon Musk's Birthplace.

GlorifiedPanWithArms , Domenico Convertini/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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§• Råinbow Påndå •§
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my god, having just moved from ZA I absolutely HATE being asked ‘Do you speak African?’ So annoying

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#34

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries India:

Probably things like:

IT /help desk specialist

Hairy monkey

Curry deodorant

Destined for an arranged marriage

Dancing and peeking our head from behind a tree

Lol I don’t know if some of those count.

downwitbrown , Juan Antonio Segal/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Helena
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only things that come to my mine, ancient civilization, waaaay populated, and horrible human rights when it comes to women.

Sapna Sarfare
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indian woman here... things are way better than what your media reports.. Plus, we have way better rights than USA for women including health ones.. Yes there are issues. But every country has some... I dont know who told you about the horrible women's right..

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Vvee Work
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And most indian men think their views on women go beyond their own country and into other countries (this country being one) most indian men.....the way they talk to women period is absolutely disgusting

Sapna Sarfare
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

India is changing but it is slow.. I am an Indian woman and i am seeing changes.. We have had a female prime minister, president, finance minister and defence minister.. US is yet to elect a female president...

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Leigh James
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Caste system, shortage of clean drinking water, toilets and sewers.

Aroace tiger (she/they/he)
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My uncle whos indian (genetically to comfirm, born in uk) works in IT- got to travel the world for his past job- was so cool

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Awesome At Being Autistic
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What came to my mind is Gandhi, the British wrecking the country for centuries, and really good food.

Prashant
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ffs, please stop taking references from Bollywood to be true. In fact, bollywood is on its way down, only good movies stand out, but the worst movies stand out even more. Soooooooooooooooo, idk, idc, forgot the point I was trying to make, anyway, Bollywood's representation is not how we really are

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Boris Long-Johnson
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gov supporting Russia and 70hr working weeks is what comes to mind for me.

Prashant
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, India does not support Russia, India relies on the concept of non-alignment policy, in simple words, it's like not participating in the military affairs of a bipolar world, not aligning to the interests of world superpowers or their allies or their enemies. It's a heated topic of discussion even in india. TL;DR India doesn't like to choose a side

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Be_ Heard
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When i think of India i think of hot weather and some of the most beautiful, extravagant looking women in the world. Just imo

Robyn H
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately these days what comes to mind first is “scammers” because there’s just been so much of this…

D. Pitbull
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Dancing and peeking our head from behind a tree"??? HAHAHAHAH WHAT?

David
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mostly true though not everyone. I think most folks realize "tree peaking" is a Bollywood thing, not an "average Indian" thing. I have spoken to many Indian IT folks. Both real ones in my IT job and the scammer dudes that used to call a lot. Never heard the curry deodorant joke

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#35

Italy: Mamma mia!

anon Report

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Remi (He/Him)
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The hand thing 🤌🏽. Funniest is when you're explaining some great Italian food experience and you notice your own hands doing that... I guess that's kinda like an accent as in it transfers

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#36

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Mexico: Tacos, d***s, chimichanga, nachos, lazy people, corruption, USA's backyard, donkeys, "wey" (this one is true), poverty.

anon , jeffreyw/Flickr (not he actual photo) Report

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Lavern Defazio
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the saddest plate of nachos I have ever seen. Where is it from? A gas station convenience store?

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#37

Brazil: We're all hotties who play soccer and dance samba.

folklaura13 Report

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ShyWahine
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Visited Brazil a few years back - can confirm: y’all ARE absolute hotties! Yes, beautiful skin tones and curvaceous shapes are part of it - but they carry themselves with a effortless flair of sexy confidence

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#38

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Poland: "Kurwa" is the only word we say

It's 25% true, it makes up 1/4th of our daily vocabulary.

1JustAnAltDontMindMe , Andrew Milligan sumo/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

#39

India: "That a bachelor degree is worthless. You're a shame unless you have a shiny masters or doctorate from America or Europe."

anonymous Report

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Stardust she/her
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The competition for anything in this country is insane so you have to be the best in something or else you won’t find employment

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#40

“We Don’t Exist”: 40 Hilarious Stereotypes About People’s Home Countries Ukraine: We love borscht, salo and vodka.

Proper_Translator_91 , holycalamit/Flickr (not the actual photo) Report

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Carl Roberts
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But...Ukrainians DO love borscht. Personally, I hate the stuff, but when my father was alive, there was always borscht in the house, same with my grandparents.

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