Stereotypes exist all around the world. Typically stereotypes are negative and exaggerate a quality that people may find disagreeable. When you hear a stereotype about a country or a group of people, they are very rarely true. For example, not every American subsists solely on fast food! While there are some who may eat at McDonald’s multiple times throughout the day, rarely will you encounter an American who only eats burgers and french fries for every meal. This is a stereotype—a simplified and standardized conception of a group of people.
Have you ever encountered any stereotypes of your country? What did you think about them? We want to know!
Typical American Stereotypes
Americans are fat and lazy.
This is completely untrue! While you can find many lazy individuals all around the country, you can also find just as many hard-working people! Yes, the U.S. is known for its obesity rate (a sad 35% of American adults), but a study in 2012 showed that there are actually five countries ahead of us in that area.
Americans are stupid.
Some Americans can be, yes, but not any more than other people around the world. There are so many bright and intelligent people in the U.S., just the same as any other country. Our media may not portray American culture in the best and most intelligent light, but that’s not to say that a visitor runs into people who can barely count to ten on a daily basis.
Americans are selfish and arrogant.
Alright, I can see why some people might consider this true. Honestly, you can find some of the nicest, most generous people in our country. While people in certain areas (like here in Boston) might seem cold and aloof, they can be very welcoming and helpful once you get to know them. In the South, generally people are friendly and open, even to perfect strangers! Like any society, we have nice people and some not so nice people. It’s unfortunate if you run into a nasty person, but chances are you’ll run into someone who is a total sweetheart!
Americans are violent.
Granted, our gun laws may not meet the world’s expectations and, sure, news broadcasts are always showing examples of gun violence. That does not mean, however, that every American is out to cause harm to others. Many people own guns, many don’t. In fact, there is a call for stronger gun laws to stop gun violence and create safer environments in American communities. Most of the people a visitor meets here in the U.S. are just doing their best to create a good life for themselves—without the use of a gun or any sort of violence whatsoever.
Americans are rude.
This one plays into the selfish and arrogant stereotype, but a person can be rude without being arrogant/selfish, right? Okay, Americans can be loud. We can be high maintenance (ask anyone who works in customer service!) and we can get a little annoying. This doesn’t mean that we intentionally set out to be completely rude and ignorant—sometimes we can just get a little carried away! Many people you’ll meet here in Boston and other cities around the country are actually pretty polite. Sometimes it’s all about how a person interprets politeness—what one culture considers impolite, another may think nothing of. It’s not being rude, it’s just being different.
There are many ways to avoid believing stereotypes. The first is to simply spend time in the cultures steeped in these sorts of assumptions and learn all you can about them. Nothing can cure (or reinforce, sometimes unfortunately) these assumptions better than living amongst the people who are the victims of them. Another way is to simply educate yourself about these cultures. It isn’t cheap to travel, as any member of the Global Immersions team will tell you, but you can do your research! Talk to people who have travelled, ask them about their experiences! Chances are, they can go a long way in teaching you the truth about Americans or any other culture out there!
This article on Psychology Today is a great resource for separating cultural stereotypes from national character. It could shed some light in better understanding the truth of American and many other stereotypes around the world.
Sources: K104.7 FM
