Stereotypes about other peoples. Where is the lie and where is the truth: stereotypes about different countries that people believe in

Oh, are you from Russia? Apparently you live on vodka and caviar? Canada, right? Maybe you want to play hockey? Hello fellow Aussie! Pass me the cubs!

These are all stereotypes that accompany representatives of the above countries through life.

17-year-old designer from Slovakia Martin Vargik created a map of stereotypes, in a note to which he noted that he did not want to offend anyone, and the purpose of the map itself was only to amuse.

Extraordinary card

According to Vargic, his map "depicts the world in the funniest way possible, demonstrating the most common Western stereotypes about other countries and regions of the world."

The guy collected data from various sources, mainly television and the Internet. They reflect more than 1,800 individual stereotypes and associations with certain cultural phenomena or events. Shall we take a look inside?

The cartographic miracle is divided into several sections: 2 maps of the North and South Poles, as well as 6 mini-maps reflecting per capita consumption of alcohol and cigarettes smoked, average penis length and breast size, height and weight.

Information panels that frame maps containing information about the most populated territory on Earth, the country with the largest number of marijuana users, the state with the largest oil reserves, as well as the peace and happiness indices of each territory.

America and its neighbors

The United States, according to Vargic's map, is "The Land of the Free (for rich white men)." The names of its states and cities are often branded with cultural associations. So, Chicago became “Al Capone”, because it was here that the famous American gangster was born, New York became “The Wolf of Wall Street”, Alburque became “heavy”, and California was simply “The Sun”.

What about the neighbors of the United States? The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Mexico is “tacos,” while Canada boasts maple syrup, hockey and fauna.

Europe

If we start from the top, then Norway, according to Vargik’s observations, is the country of “Black Metal”, Sweden is the land of “Metrosexuals”, and Finland is the land of “Polar Bears”.

The Germans are famous for their Bratwurst sausages, and the Spaniards deserve the name "Animal Rights Violation" through their famous bullfighting.

Italy wouldn't be Italy without Pizza, and Romania wouldn't be Italy without Dracula. Vargik called Bulgaria... the country of “fake Nikes”.

What about Ukraine? Our state received the name “Putin’s precious” (which one would like to read out in the voice of Smeagol), the Autonomous Republic of Crimea - “Putinistan”, and Kyiv is associated in the world with “Maidan”. But is this all that can be said about us? From our own experience we understand how meaningless and limited people’s ideas about certain states can be.
“Many stereotypes reflect negative associations and thoughts, so you shouldn’t blindly believe every word you write. Prejudices are formed instantly, and do not forget that they are destroyed just as quickly. Therefore, everything depends on our choice and actions to form new traditions and eradicate existing ones,” notes Vagrik.

There are many stereotypes in our lives that we are accustomed to trust.

We have collected the most popular stereotypes that immediately come to mind when mentioning a particular country. But it turned out that they were very outdated, or were never true at all.

Spain. Bullfighting is the main and favorite sport of the Spaniards
The Spaniards would not like this opinion, because, firstly, their favorite sport is football, and bullfighting is not a sport at all. It really is of great importance for the country, but as a historical legacy of the past.

Annual surveys show that more than 60% of Spaniards have a negative view of bullfighting and consider it senseless cruelty. But less than 40% decide to openly support the ban. In many areas of the country, bullfighting is prohibited; in particular, it has not been held in Catalonia since 2011. And in those areas where bullfighting is still allowed, the Spaniards are “voting with their feet” - attendance has dropped sharply, and the authorities have cut funding.

Great Britain. "Oatmeal, sir!" and five o'clock

A traditional English breakfast is anything but porridge. In fact, it includes scrambled eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and for those who can stand it, toast with salted butter. The myth about porridge dates back to the 20th century, when Scottish porridge was exported in attractive packaging.

As for tea, the notorious five o’clock has not been observed for a long time. It can be served for tourists in a cafe or become part of a high-ranking reception. In everyday life, the British have not stopped loving tea, but they love coffee no less. And if tea is more of a home-made drink, then an Englishman would rather order coffee in a cafe.

Japan. The most popular dish is sushi

The rest of the world has already learned that the Japanese practically do not eat sushi in the form of our usual rolls. A lump of rice with fish is a traditional type of sushi for the Japanese, and the beloved California roll, if found throughout the vast country, is only in establishments for tourists. Although it was invented by the Japanese. In 1973, Ichiro Mashita, the chef of the Tokyo Kaikan restaurant in Los Angeles, decided to popularize sushi in America, and he succeeded!

But the fact that sushi is generally a rare guest on the table of the average Japanese is difficult to accept. The most popular dish in Japan is ramen noodles. Most Japanese would prefer to eat this soup even for breakfast. After all, you need to start your morning with a hearty meal!

All Dutch people love intoxicating substances; drugs are officially allowed in the country

The Dutch think exactly the opposite, especially in Amsterdam - all tourists come here for weed and affordable pleasures. But only about 5.4% of the country's residents regularly intoxicate themselves, which is lower than the European average of 6.8%. And many Dutch people generally consider it beneath their dignity to smoke weed. The Dutch are fanatically concerned about their health, and bicycles and jogging help them keep fit.

You should not believe in the myth of “permissiveness” - the penalties for possession and distribution of drugs here are the same serious as in other countries. The authorities clearly differentiated the concepts of “hard” and “soft” drugs. Soft drugs are sold in specialized outlets, but sales are strictly limited. Unlicensed sale of marijuana and hashish or possession of drugs in large quantities are also punishable by law.

Sweden. Carlson is the most famous fairy tale character

Carlson is the most popular fairy-tale character outside of Sweden, and many tourists coming to the country hope to find souvenirs with him at every turn. But it was not there. The Swedes do not like Carlson for his bad character and believe that he sets a bad example for children. But in Sweden they adore Pippi Longstocking - a cheerful and kind girl. All of Astrid Lindgren's heroes can be seen at the Junibakken Museum.

In RuNet you can still find false information that tourists fall for - that Carlson’s house is located on the roof of the writer’s former house. It is not there and never was, and the photo of the house was taken in one of the courtyards of St. Petersburg.

Australia. The capital of the country is Sydney

Australia's major cities confuse everyone, and not everyone can name the country's capital right off the bat. Sydney and Melbourne have overshadowed Canberra, but this city is the capital.

Another common judgment about Australia is that it is eternal summer and there are a lot of dangerous poisonous creatures. But the climate here suits every taste - Australia has 6 climate zones, and in certain areas of the country it can be noticeably cold - about 0 °C.

Poisonous creatures, of course, live in Australia, but their danger to humans is exaggerated. No one has died from a spider bite since 1979, and the most dangerous mollusk - the geographic cone - still needs to be found.

Mexico is a poor and dangerous country

Thanks to American films, we imagine Mexico as a rather suspicious and poor country where drug traffickers operate. Relatively dangerous regions do exist in Mexico, mainly on the border with the United States.

Most of Mexico and its resorts are very hospitable, and the residents are good-natured. As for the country's prosperity, many Americans envy him. In some areas of Mexico, the standard of living and social security has long surpassed the United States. Therefore, a new trend has emerged - some retired Americans are trying to move to Mexico: pensions here are much higher, and taxes are lower.

Estonians are slow and speak slowly

The rhythm of life in small Estonia is indeed quite measured, but this does not mean that Estonians are slow. They simply do not rush headlong anywhere in everyday life. As for the rate of speech, by linguistic standards they are still talkers. Estonians speak faster than Finns and at about the same pace as Americans, and the feeling of slowness of speech arises from the frequent double vowels in the Estonian language. They seem to divide the word into two parts, and the ear records a pause in speech.

The French are fans of gourmet dishes and do not eat fast food

Many French people are so lean because they pay a lot of attention to their meals and what they eat. In the modern world, this equally applies to all people who monitor their health, regardless of country. But the “fast food virus” has already penetrated France. If previously the state did not welcome or finance the opening of fast food restaurants, now there has been a relaxation in the laws. Statistics from recent years show that the revenue of such restaurants is several times higher than the profit of traditional establishments.

Mongolia - Continuous steppe and dangerous to travel

For many people, Mongolia is a blank spot on the map: so little is known about it. And of course, traveling through the remote steppe is fraught with unpleasant adventures. Most of the country is indeed occupied by steppe expanses, and many Mongols are still nomads. However, the big cities, especially the capital Ulaanbaatar, live a modern life that is not too different from the rest of the world. Mongols are not yet spoiled by tourists, so they treat them as kindly as possible. Tours of the steppes are often accompanied by guides, but even without them, nomads are happy to show their way of life, treat and accommodate guests.

Canada - Always cold

Like Russia in the minds of foreigners, distant Canada is often associated with earflaps and bears.

The northern territory of Canada is indeed constantly covered with snow, but 90% of the inhabitants live in the south of the country, on the border with the United States. And in this part of Canada, all four seasons are pronounced. Warm spring and hot summer - Canadians can fully enjoy the wonderful weather: in Toronto and Montreal, for example, summer temperatures reach +30 °C.

As for harsh winters, for example, residents of Vancouver rarely see snow - winters here are more rainy. For snow, welcome to Toronto and other cities where winter is more serious.

An American under the nickname SnarkyNomad writes: Almost always, when I tell people that I was in Russia, they ask me why I even went there. What they imagine of Russia is grandmothers in a bread line wearing fur hats, covered in snow. It is clear that grandmothers, fur hats and snow have not gone away, but... travel or just trips to Russia are not yet widespread, then the consciousness of foreigners is simply filled with stereotypes about Russians of the 50s of the last century, or even the year before. Much has changed over the past 60 years.

On the other hand... These stereotypes are not unfounded, and sometimes turn out to be the absolute truth. And, by the way, after my stay in Russia, I realized that some stereotypes are incredibly true. This country is, of course, more than ingrained stereotypes, but if you still want to know whether Russians love vodka, or whether it is true that entire cities are covered in snow in winter, well... let's find out!

1. They love vodka.

And so, all Russians are alcoholics, and they are 2 steps away from alcohol poisoning, right?

Not really. Yes, vodka is still the queen of the holiday table, but back in the early 2000s, beer created a boom in the retail trade due to its low price and choice of strength. Beer was not even considered an alcoholic drink until recently, and was considered a light soft drink. Like cola. Although, I think so, this even to some extent reinforces this stereotype, in the sense that Russians don’t even consider beer an alcoholic drink, it’s so weak for them.

The point is that things change. Yes, Russians love their national drink, but they also like beer and wine, and bars and clubs are stocked with popular Western brands.

They drink a lot. I mean really a lot. No matter which Russian family invited me to dinner, they always took vodka out of the refrigerator and drank it. They drank as if it was their last night on Earth. Do you have any idea what 9 glasses are like in half an hour of dinner? I - yes.

Moreover, mother and daughter drank champagne. In equal quantities.

Plus, Russians may not be the biggest alcoholics on the planet, but they are close. Alcoholism has been declared a national problem, and when you assume that most of the people who go on binge drinking are men (whose lives are significantly shorter as a result), then you realize that the lower percentage of women drinking is a kind of compensation. Therefore, such a picture as a drunk guy with a deafening belch at a wedding becomes more and more true.

2. They have stony, angry faces.

I will indeed be glad to say that this is a most misinterpretation of the fact. Unfortunately, most visitors (tourists) see Russians in such places as: ticket offices, hotels, bureaucratic offices, passport control - which naturally reinforces the prevailing opinion that Russians do not look polite and friendly.

But as soon as you sit down at a common table with them, they will start feeding you until your stomach bursts and pouring vodka until your liver shatters into pieces. What's the trick?

This can be compared to a glass barrier. While they are behind it, they will not see any interest in meeting your needs; as soon as the barrier disappears, they will tell you the whole story over a glass of tea in the kitchen.

Well, in order for you to really be able to say “I learned something new today,” you need to point out, perhaps, the most important thing: Russians do not smile to seem friendly. They smile only when they actually see/hear something funny and see a real friend in front of them. And you understand that living with a straight face is normal, because... they get things done just fine without having to smile all over the place. Sometimes, in the USA, I envied this feature of Russian society.

3. Bureaucratic nightmare.

I'll be the first to say this is 100% true. Any attempt to deal with bureaucracy or any kind of red tape is a heartbreaking procedure that will test your faith in humanity at the highest level. Trying to come out of this situation as an optimist is the same as staying sober at dinner with the Russians.

Everything from visas to train tickets and travel documents will take you 43% longer than expected, 28% less successful, and 34% more expensive. In general, be prepared. And then get ready for something else. Get a stash to wash away all your sorrows and disappointments later.

One exception is trains. The more “modern” European railway system, compared to Russian Railways, looks like riding in a carriage on a dirty road in a rickety stroller.

One of my friends knows how to solve these troubles and red tape with fees. “Speed ​​Tax” (bribe) works very effectively. But if you don’t plan to give a bribe, then put up with all these “pleasures.”

By the way, speaking of bribes...

4. All police officers are bribe takers.

This is partly true.

The police, the authorities and all their ilk have a terrible reputation in Russia, hindering development and encouraging brutality. And this is in a sense true. The first day in Russia was remembered as a terrible passport check, or “give a bribe,” which, by the way, is common throughout the post-Soviet space. This is very annoying! But, I was lucky. I am very polite and smart that all attempts to extract money from me were unsuccessful. I only got caught in Moldova.

6. It’s really terribly cold there.

Something like that. If anything, the Earth has its own axis, guys. Without going into detail, I will say that the oceans maintain moderate temperatures, while the continents have all the temperature diversity.

So, if we are talking about Russia, then in places so remote from the ocean, for example, Southern Siberia, ocean heat simply does not reach (well, maybe some tiny percentage). Although the weather there can be very pleasant, and sometimes hot.

But still, it is very cold there. Probably only Antarctica is colder. The record for the lowest temperature in a populated area is shared between Oymyakon and Verkhoyansk – -67.7˚ C.

7. They love bears.

And who doesn't love it?

It's stupid, but Russia has long been associated with bears. So I thought it might be helpful to tell you why.

Everything is very simple. A lot of bears live in their forests. They are large and strong and are a symbol of intimidation and ferocity. For a time the bear was an element of the coat of arms, but eventually they replaced it with a double-headed eagle, apparently preferring anatomical accuracy.

Western countries made fun of Russia, associating it with a clumsy beast. Probably, these people simply did not have the opportunity to try to escape from the bear.

And yes, you can take a photo with a bear cub in almost every city. This is more kitsch and tradition, so I can’t imagine modern Russians who would say what kind of “bear fans” they are.

8. They love nesting dolls.

Yes, they are really widespread among souvenir shops in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In this sense, they are already becoming more of a tourist product than just traditional toys. But, if you consider that, after all, the majority of tourists are Russians themselves, then nesting dolls are not just toys that are shoved at foreigners.

One of the popular design styles for nesting dolls were images of Soviet leaders, which is a little strange. Times passed, new leaders came, which meant a new figure was added. This series became the largest. Stalin became smaller and more charming with each new leader.

9. They love their writers.

Yes it is. Russians are VERY proud of their writers. Poets, composers and other talented people. And this is understandable. Tolstoy and Dostoevsky are considered the best writers all over the world. And not only them.

They place luxurious monuments on graves; plaques of honor are hung on former houses; and Russians can even quote something from books.

But, as for modern cultural achievements... If you have ever heard Russian pop music over the past 2 decades, I am 100% sure that you would immediately turn it off. Russia, turn to the classics. You did well.

10. They still love the USSR.

Mm... In a sense, yes. For many Russians, the era of the USSR is a time when great scientific discoveries were made, there was economic growth, etc. They even created their own version of Winnie the Pooh! By the way, many critics consider it the best in the world.

And all this happened after the Second World War, the most destructive war in all of human history. It's like rising from the ashes.

When the USSR collapsed, Russia's GDP was halved, lawlessness and depression reigned in the country; it lost half its territory, millions of Russians were stuck on the other side of the borders of several newly independent countries; Some nuclear weapons allegedly went missing, and the oligarchs captured the most profitable industries. And this is just a brief overview of everything that went down. Soviet history as a symbol of the rise and fall of the Russian people.

However, for non-Russian citizens the story is not so rosy. Of course, it was obvious that the Baltic countries were suffocating from repression and the Soviet regime. Once they joined the EU, their economy began to develop rapidly, although they faced some problems as former republics of the Soviet Union. And I'm not even talking about the Gulag.

It is easy to understand why the opinions are diametrically opposed to each other. The Soviet Union, of course, was not a paradise, especially for foreigners. But I think we can understand why the USSR, despite the horrors of Stalinism and the ubiquitous labor camps, still evokes fond memories and feelings. I'm not saying that I agree with such a policy, but I am saying that it is understandable, and I think that we really need to ignore all these atrocities and be proud of those times.

This post was intended more as an educational post, I hope that this information did not just reinforce Russian stereotypes, but, of course, gave perspective. There is much more behind these stories than just matching stereotypes. I certainly had a great time in Russia, and people were very interested in what I thought about Russia, and what it was like to live in another country. Life is life, no matter where you are. I mean, who doesn't love a sip during dinner? Only idiots. It seems that I was infected with this tradition from the Russians...

NATA KARLIN

We will talk about stereotypes - norms, canons, laws, customs, traditions, prejudices of society. Most people think they are correct and follow them. Here it is important to distinguish between the concept of the correctness of a stereotype and convention (far-fetchedness). But fictitious stereotypes sometimes control the collective consciousness (including us). Stereotypes of people are primarily divided into global - characteristic of the scale of the planet, and narrow - those that we follow in schools, at work, at home, etc. However, both of them become an illusion that has a lot of followers.

Male models are traditionally classified as gay

What is a stereotype?

The concept of “stereotype” was born in the 20s of the last century. It was introduced into scientific literature by the American scientist W. Lippman. He characterized a stereotype as a small “picture of the world” that a person stores in the brain in order to save the effort required to perceive more complex situations. According to the American scientist, there is two reasons for the emergence of stereotypes:

1. Saving effort;
2. Protecting the values ​​of the group of people in which he lives.

The stereotype has the following properties:

• Consistency over time;
• Selectivity;
• Emotional fullness.

Since then, many scientists have complemented and innovated this concept, but the basic idea has not changed

What are the stereotypes based on? In order not to bother themselves with unnecessary thoughts, people use well-known stereotypes. Sometimes they find their confirmation when observing people and then they become even more convinced that they are right. Stereotypes are a kind of replacement for a person’s thought process. Why “reinvent the wheel” if you can use someone else’s mind. To varying degrees, each of us is subject to stereotypes, the difference lies in which of us believes these “postulates” to what extent.

Stereotypes live in us, influence our worldview, behavior and contribute to an incorrect perception of reality: the role of modern stereotypes in human life and society is undeniable. Stereotypes can be imposed by public opinion, and formed on the basis of one’s own observations. Social stereotypes are the most destructive to people's worldview. They impose an incorrect train of thought on a person and prevent him from thinking for himself. However, without stereotypes, society could not exist. Thanks to them, we know about the following patterns:

• The water is wet;
• The snow is cold;
• The fire is hot;
• A stone thrown into the water will create circles.

Since we know about this, we do not need to be convinced of it every time. But stereotypes that operate at the level of people’s consciousness and subconsciousness, as a rule, prevent them from living. We must learn to distinguish stereotypes from the actual idea of ​​a subject, to understand the pros and cons of people’s stereotypes.

Famous bloggers are perceived as "close-minded" girls

Take, for example, the stereotype about debt. There is nothing bad or wrong about this feeling. The only question is whether this concept is dictated by a person’s inner convictions, or imposed on him by public opinion. In the second case, a person feels a disagreement between his own concepts and what society requires of him.

People's desire to follow stereotypes distorts their ideas about reality and poisons existence. Very often a person judges people not by their actions, but by what others think about them. Sometimes a person who goes to church from time to time ascribes to himself all the virtues of Christianity. Although this is far from true.

It often happens that people do not bother themselves to think about the problem, they simply use the existing stereotype and adopt it.

For example, these are groups of people who are divided according to the following criteria:

• Sexual;
• Age;
• Level of education;
• Professional;
• Belief, etc.

Let's say that blondes, in order not to bother themselves by proving the inaccuracy of the existing stereotype, try to correspond to the generally accepted opinion. It's easier to live this way. Or women, trying, find a rich groom, with whom they become deeply unhappy, because when choosing, they did not take into account his human qualities.

You cannot project an existing stereotype onto all people to the same extent. You need to base your judgments on the person’s personality, his advantages and disadvantages, life position, etc.

What are the stereotypes?

Please note, we are talking about stereotypes! Below are examples of the most popular social stereotypes that are very common in society:

Gender stereotypes: women and men

Gender stereotypes are some of the most striking in modern society

Below is a list of common gender stereotypes with examples - believe me, you see a lot in it that is familiar and well-established in the public perception:

1. A woman is a stupid, weak and worthless creature. She is designed to give birth, wash, cook, clean and otherwise look after her “overlord” (man). She was born into the world to learn how to properly apply makeup, dress and giggle, only then does she have the opportunity to “enjoy” a good male who will provide her and her offspring with a decent life. As long as a woman lives at the expense of a man and obeys him in everything, she has the right to “eat from his table.”
2. As soon as the lady from the first point shows character, she becomes a lonely divorcee. A couple of examples can be given stereotype of a lonely woman: 1) divorced single mother - unhappy, lonely, forgotten by everyone;
   2) a widow - a grief-stricken and also unhappy woman.
3. A lady should not be strong and fight for her own well-being without the help of a man. Otherwise she is a careerist who has no time for her family, children and husband. Again - unhappy!
4. Man is the “center of the universe.” Strong, smart, handsome (even with a belly and a bald head). He is obliged to earn money in order to satisfy the desires of women.

In fact, men only want sex from women, but they adhere to the rules of the game of “love” in order to achieve that very sex

1. A man shouldn't:

• Talk about your feelings;
• Cry;
• Help a woman around the house.

Otherwise, he does not consider himself a man.

1. A man should:

• Work. And it doesn’t matter that they pay little there, and he is not able to support his family, he still gets tired at work! And hence the origins of the next position;
• Lying on the sofa. After all, he is tired, he is resting;
• Drive. A woman, according to men, has no right to this. After all, she is stupid!

In other cases, it is believed that this is not a man, but a worthless creature that “disgraces” the male gender. The given examples of well-known stereotypes in the perception of communication partners confirm the fact that many of us do not see the essence behind a real person: stuffed with cliches and cliches since childhood, we are not ready to listen to the words of a loved one and understand his expectations.

Children

Children are obliged:

• To obey the parents;
• Make the dreams and unfulfilled desires of moms and dads come true;
• Study “excellently” at school, college and university;
• When parents become old, “bring them a glass of water.”

So, children are disobedient and unbearable, young people are insane and dissolute.

Old people are always grumbling and unhappy with everything

But in old age, all people get sick and complain about life, otherwise they, at least, behave strangely.

Happiness

Happiness is:

• Money;
• High rank.

Everyone else is a miserable loser. Even if a person is absolutely happy, living in a state of trance (in nirvana), and he has nothing behind his soul, he is a failure!

"Correct"...

Only in the most famous institutes do they receive the “correct” education. The “right” people go to work and sit there from bell to bell. “Correct” if you live in your homeland and do not go to live in another country. It is “correct” to follow fashion trends. It is “correct” to buy an expensive item in a boutique, and not the same thing in a regular store. It is “correct” to have an opinion that coincides with the opinion of the majority. It’s “right” to be like everyone else around you.

For people, following stereotypes is destructive. Parents plant in our brains the idea that we cannot stand out from society, we need to live like everyone else. Each of us in childhood was afraid of becoming a “black sheep” and being expelled from the team. To become different from everyone else means to live by your own rules and think with your own head - to live by straining your brain.

Still from the movie "The Agents of U.N.C.L.E." (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, 2015), where actor Armie Hammer played the principled and impenetrable KGB agent, Ilya Kuryakin

What are professional stereotypes: examples

Professional stereotypes include generalized images of a professional in a specific profession. The categories most often mentioned in this regard are:

• 1. Policemen. These stereotypes are especially zealously fueled by American films and Russian TV series. Admittedly, the rare interaction of ordinary citizens with police officers in real life gives rise to a bunch of conjectures, which are successfully directed in the right direction from television screens. Most fans of such films are convinced that even the most ordinary policeman is brave, selfless, and capable of defeating an entire gang of thugs on his own.
  2. Doctors. And in reality, there are professionals who can literally bring you back to life from the other world, but in case of health problems, you shouldn’t expect a spectacular appearance in the hospital on a gurney, shouting “Way, way! We are losing him,” accompanied by the entire ambulance team - in life, believe me, everything is much more banal, and an intelligent and insightful doctor, capable of making an instant decision in a critical situation for the patient’s life, is, alas, rather a professional stereotype.
  3. The stereotype of someone who can solve small everyday problems to global government problems lawyer- another image that came from American TV series. The legal proceedings in this performance are more like theater with convulsive wringing of hands, tears in the eyes and the voices of lawyers breaking from the excitement and tragedy of what is happening.
  4. A striking example of a professional stereotype has been known to us since Soviet times: worker and collective farmer. Yes, yes, rural workers and ordinary hard workers, bursting with health, with eyes burning with enthusiasm and thirst for work, are ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of the prosperity of industry, agricultural technologies, Soviet society and the state as a whole.
  5. Modern students: not very keen on knowledge, but successful in drinking alcohol and sex, using drugs and organizing wild parties. Perhaps the imposed image is still closer to American society, but Russian students also look in that direction with admiration - oh, we wish we could do that...

How to fight stereotypes?

As it turns out, stereotypes are designed to relieve a person’s brain of excess stress. At the same time, stereotypes limit a person’s mental activity, preventing it from going beyond the boundaries of the standard worldview. If we use the stereotype “it’s good where we are not,” then a person is sure that nothing good can happen where he lives. And in that mythical distance, where he has never been and never will be, everyone lives under communism and... As a result, you don’t even need to strive to become happy, nothing will work out anyway.

But You can't blindly believe everything people say. And then, a stereotype always has a hidden meaning. In this case, the true meaning of this stereotype is that a person will always think that someone somewhere makes less effort and lives much better.

This causes envy and disappointment in your “unsuccessful” life. It turns out that this opinion is wrong

The main way to combat stereotypes is not to believe them. Don’t believe what people say, check the information, and based on the conclusions drawn, form your own opinion. In this way, you will be able to refute outdated stereotypes and prevent the emergence of new ones.

Think about how many stereotypes you use all the time. Try to find those that are not supported by facts. The aforementioned stereotype that “blondes are all stupid” is an extremely controversial statement. Start by listing girls and women with blonde hair that you know well. How many of them would you call stupid? Are they all as stupid as the stereotype claims? Look for refutations of statements that have no basis in fact.

If you use the stereotype “more expensive means better,” look for examples of products at reasonable prices that are of high quality and fashionable. At the same time, expensive items do not always meet quality standards.

Beautiful and well-groomed women are often considered stupid and calculating

Conclusion

So what are stereotypes? This is an ambiguous manifestation of social thinking. They live and will always live, regardless of whether we want it or not. They carry information that people have collected and systematized for centuries. Some of them are based on real facts, others are like made-up fairy tales, but they were, are and will be. Decide for yourself which stereotypes are harmful to your thinking and which are useful. Use the ones you need and get rid of the bad ones.

And, finally, we suggest taking a break from the serious topic and watching a funny video about the stereotypes of street football. Yes, there are such things!

March 22, 2014, 11:32

When it comes to the customs and foundations of a particular country, then, as a rule, certain stereotypes arise. Japan - sushi, Holland - smoking drugs, England - oatmeal, Russia - bears walking the streets. In fact, many beliefs are no longer true. This material contains 13 common stereotypes that it is high time to stop believing in.

1. Russia

Many foreigners associate Russia with bears. Moreover, there is an opinion that bears roam freely around the capital, and in the outback they generally feel at home, breaking into houses and attacking people. It is worth noting that this myth was born a long time ago. Back in the 16th century, while traveling around Russia, Baron Sigismund Herberstein witnessed scenes of hungry clubfoot walking through villages in search of food. Later, people began to train bears and take them to fairs for the entertainment of the people. These events became firmly entrenched in the minds of foreigners, and since then, disheveled brown animals have become associated with Russia and its inhabitants. In fact, the average Russian can only meet a bear in a zoo or circus, and such statements only cause a smile.

2. Canada

Many people seriously believe that Canada is a cold country that is covered in snow all year round. This opinion is not entirely correct. The fact is that the northern part of the country is really cold and snowy. However, 90 percent of the population lives in southern Canada, where all four seasons are distinct, and in some cities summer temperatures reach 30 degrees.

3. Estonia

It's funny, but many residents of the post-Soviet space consider Estonians to be slow and retarded. The origin of this stereotype is related to the peculiarities of the Estonian language. A large number of double vowels in words, as if dividing them into parts, because of this, the ear records pauses, and speech seems slow. In fact, Estonians speak faster than Finns and are about the same as Americans. As for the rhythm of life, it is really slow. Residents of this small country do not like haste and fuss.

4. Australia

There are people who are sure that Sydney is the capital of Australia. Others believe that the capital is Melbourne. Both statements are wrong. In fact, the capital of Australia is the small city of Canberra, which has been eclipsed by its more developed neighbors.

5. Netherlands

Almost all foreigners associate the Netherlands with drugs and permissiveness. Tourists seriously believe that weed is sold at every turn in Amsterdam. In fact, the country has a clear concept of “hard” and “soft” drugs. The sale of the latter is prohibited and punishable by law. As for soft drugs, they are sold only in specialized outlets and in strictly limited quantities. Unlicensed sale of marijuana and hashish, as well as possession of drugs in large quantities, is strictly punishable by law. It is also worth noting that only 5.5 percent of the country's residents regularly use drugs, the rest believe that it is beneath their dignity. Moreover, most Dutch people are fanatical adherents of a healthy lifestyle.

6. UK

Famous phrase: "Oatmeal, sir!" made many people believe that the British certainly eat porridge for breakfast. But the people of England refute this opinion. The average Englishman's traditional breakfast is scrambled eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast with salted butter. Another misconception is the tea ceremony at five o'clock. We all learned about this from English textbooks and really believed that at exactly five o’clock all the inhabitants of England put aside their work and sit down to drink tea. In fact, this tradition has not been observed for a long time, and most residents, while at work or in a cafe, increasingly drink coffee.

7. Spain

The Spaniards refute the assertion that bullfighting is the main and favorite sport. First of all, bullfighting is not a sport. Secondly, the Spaniards love football. It is he who is the favorite and most important sport, and bullfighting is a monstrous spectacle, which most of the population has a negative attitude towards. It is worth noting that since 2011, bullfighting has been banned in many areas of Spain, and where it still takes place, spectators have voting rights.

8. Sweden

There is an opinion among foreigners that Carlson is the most beloved fairy-tale character for all Swedes. However, this is not at all true. The Swedes do not like Carlson at all, believing that with his bad character he sets a bad example for children. Another lie is the existence of Carlson’s house, which is supposedly located on the roof of the former house of writer Astrid Lindgren. But who the population of Sweden really sincerely loves is Pippi Longstocking.

9. Japan

It is difficult for tourists to accept the fact that sushi is generally a rare guest on the table of indigenous Japanese. Moreover, in the Land of the Rising Sun they practically do not prepare sushi in the form of rolls, which are so popular outside its borders. But the most popular and favorite dish of the Japanese is ramen noodles. Many people even eat this soup for breakfast, because it is very filling and can give you energy for the whole day.

10. Mexico

A huge number of action films about Mexican drug traffickers have led foreigners to believe that Mexico is a poor and dangerous country where the drug trade is thriving, and gunshots are heard at every turn. Well, Mexico does have relatively disadvantaged regions. These include cities located on the border with the United States. As for the rest of the territory, it consists mainly of quiet areas and resorts inhabited by hospitable and good-natured people. It is also worth noting that the standard of living and social security in Mexico has long surpassed America.

11. France

The French pay a lot of attention to nutrition, prefer gourmet dishes and do not eat fast food. Until a certain time, this was indeed true. Previously, the state did not welcome or finance fast food establishments, but recently the authorities have loosened control and the French have happily begun to consume tasty and unhealthy food. Statistics from recent years show that the revenue of fast food establishments significantly exceeds the profit of traditional establishments.

12. Mongolia

Few tourists seriously consider traveling to Mongolia. Moreover, for most people this country seems like a remote and dangerous steppe. Most of Mongolia is indeed occupied by the steppe, and part of the population still leads a nomadic lifestyle. However, there are also developed cities in this country that keep up with the rest of the world. As for the population, the Mongols are not spoiled by tourists, so they treat all visitors more than kindly. Even nomads happily welcome tourists, inviting them to their homes and treating them to national dishes.

13. USA

Indeed, the United States is considered the birthplace of fast food, and a huge number of the population suffers from excess weight. But in recent decades, the country has set a course to combat obesity. Many people, having realized the harm of trans fats, gave up fast food forever and began to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Video bonus:

Continuing the theme of established beliefs