Let’s talk about the stereotypes.
In Europe we have almost 50 countries. Over the 700 millions of people live here. The each country is different, so every nationality has diverse characteristic. We all live on the one continent, so maybe we should be like one big family?
Maybe... But as it happens in every family there are disagreements between Europeans. We often have distinct view on some issues, our cultures and behaviours are clearly differ, so we have sometimes serious problems with mutual understanding, and that's how stereotypes and negative emotions arise.
So, what Europeans think of each other? What kind of feelings we have toward each other? And, what the most important from our point of view, how others perceive us, the Poles?
The Germans
About Germans it said that they are hardworking, efficient and disciplined. Other Europeans think that people from Germany are stiff and humourless. Of course Angela Merkel is a little bit stiff and formal but not every German is like she. Supposedly the Germans do not show their feelings, they drink too much beer and eat only pork knuckle. They adore order and their language is considered to be hard and unpleasant sounded. Others often remind them about Second World War which is the disgraceful card in German history.
Have you heard this joke? ;p
"German pilot, German airline, German airport: Asks tower a question in German.
Tower (in English) : If you want an answer you must ask in English.
German: I am German, in Germany, flying a German plane... why do I have to speak English?
English pilot: Because you lost the bloody war…"
The French
Another nation - the French. They eat frog legs and snails, what causes disgust in others. Their language is romantic. France is called the capital of fashion and good perfumes. The French are disliked for being arrogant, but from the other hand they deserve to reputation of the world's greatest lovers. ;)
The Italians
The Italians are famous for their Mafia and corruption. They are good-looking and crazy about the fashion. The people from Italy talk too much and are smugness. They are impulsive and lazy. When the Italians are talking, they shout and gesticulate rapidly.
The British
The British are boring and sulky. They are considered polite, but maybe a little snobbish. Compared with other European countries the Britain is, generally, more tolerant. English language seem to be universal at whole the world.
The Poles
According to stereotypes the Poles abuse of alcohol and steal, they are intolerant and lazy. However foreigners think that the Poles are also hospitable, friendly and well-organized. Poles are Catholics, sometimes are considered as fanatics. Among the Poles there is also an antisemitism. The Poles are generous and helpful. They respect the family, history and tradition.
Some of these stereotypes seem to be true, but generally they are exaggerated. They are usually the result of jealousy and lack of knowledge. Today, more and more people travel around the world, so they can see how much truth is in stereotypes. When we get to know other cultures, we see the beauty and diversity of Europe. By getting to know people, you can fight the stereotypes.
When we criticize and judge others wrong, we must remember that they may judge the Poles in the same way as we do it.
So let's begin to appreciate our differences and respect others for what kind of people they are, no matter where they come from.
I never understood what for somebody could don't like people another nationality. In my opinion, each country is different and that is all magic! when we are in Germany, we drink beer because there is really good. When we are in Italy, we eat pizza or tagiatelle or spaghetti, cause it is their special! - They make it perfect! When we in Spain or in Portugal we drink wine! Every country is other, it help us open our mind. I don't believe on stereotypes, before we say something about the nation, we should met them! Btw. everyone nations should be different!We have almost 50 countries and over 700 millions of people live here, it would be impossible to change them.
ReplyDeleteStereotypes rule the world. I try to be objective and don't believe in stereotypes, but sometimes it's too hard for me. Sometimes stereotypes are very harmful. I agree with you, that people, for example, in the United Kingdom think that every Pole is a drunkard, a thief and can only lay a brick, it's very unfair. But the Poles also make a lot of nasty stereotypes about other nationalities, for example about black people. Recently my friend told me that black man's body smells burnt skin, this is ridiculous. Why are people so narrow minded? This is, however, another kind of stereotype, associated with racism. Many Poles don't like Germans because we have personal trauma associated with World War II, and it goes to the next generation. Italy? I heard that every Italian is a beloved son of mommy and what mother would say is most important, while the wife is in the background. I wonder if this is true?
ReplyDeleteI don't believe stereotypes. I rather laugh at them and approach it from a distance. We know that every person regardless of their nationality is different. We can't judge all through one prism. Such an assessment is simply unfair. Every nation is different and unique, may be have certain characteristics, but the stereotypes are just labels, and the phenomenon of negative
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, stereotypes exist especially in the mentality of older generation. A lot of young people travell around the world and they see that stereotypes are not true.
ReplyDeleteOf course, we can meet some people, which confirm our imaginations what is connected with stereotypes.
I try to set aside all stereotypes, because people are very diverse and everybody should have a chance. So I don't belive in stereotypes.
In my opinion, there must be something in stereotypes. Each nations has its own culture and history that have created special character for citizens. Generally Poles dont like the Germans and I can understand that. Maybe because of histroy or maybe because that they seem to be not very funny and kind nation... However we should remember that there are no bad nations but people.
ReplyDeleteI always try to not belive the stereotypes and make my own opinion about everything , but i have to admit that sometimes some stereotypes are heard that many times that even if i dont want I belive in them. It is like as someone have sad a lie spoken a hundret times becomes a true.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, i don't believe in stereotypes. An author rightly noticed that nowadays we can travel around the world and get to know foreign culture, language, every aspect which has influence on creating stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, before saying sth about foreigners, we sholud, even so little, try to think reasonably and serach information about them: via the internet, on forum, form books, our friends.
Sometimes stereotypes can destroy people, thier mind, it doesn't allow them to think in positive way about people who have bad stereotype. We should fight with this and try to overcome.
In each stereotype is a some part of truth. I can confirm that people from south Europe aren't good organizers (I know about what I'm saying...) However, I've got a lot of opposite examples. I have cooperated with Germans with two project. The first was in Germany, the second was in Poland. I think that better project (in terms of organization) was in Poland. So it's negation of stereotype about very well organized Germans.
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ReplyDeleteStereotypes help us in our lives.If we didn't have nothing in common with any nation we can not have our own cornfirmed opinion. So we create our expectations besed on stereotypes. Every rumor has a little bit truth inside, the same is with stereotypes. They say us something about the nature of nations and about their image in the world.
ReplyDeleteOf course, when I meet flegmatic Italian or lazy German I change my opinion, but for the first look universal pattern of though is necessary.
Sometimes stereotypes help us in our lives but also very often stereotypes are often unfair and unjust.We are different and our countries, religions etc. and we can not judge others based on stereotypes it might not be true. But very often we base our opinion on the experience or belief because this is easier not only for us but also easier for our brain,sometimes, instead of us doing it our subconscious. we should try to control it and be open-minded to every culture, nation and people!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion stereotypes are very often too far from the truth. However,sometimes have some part of reality.
ReplyDeleteSterotypes of nationality are often based on a history.
They can be very harmful and unfair. The worst is that they will probably will never change. I try to not to direct sterotypes.
In my opinion pople shouldn't believe stereotypes, because it violates their world view. I don't believe stereotypes, but I don't like the Germans. I think that the Germans are very conceited and impolite. When I was in Bisztynek, I knew some Germans and I can said: They are terrible:) Moreover I hate German. It is unpleasant language. Even though we want to say: ,,I love You" - it souns how command.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, i don't believe in stereotypes. They are only very big simplification of people nature which base one single events which we generalize to whole nations.
ReplyDeleteThe Poles are a introverted nation . Of course we are hospitable, but also follow the stereotypes that have been produced by us. I am not sure whether this is due to our mentality or the story. But before my eyes I blend two images of Poles - always hospitable and living stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteI think that nowadays young people are open to others. In stereotypes belives my grandparents, but not me! We shoudn't judge anyone by nacionality.
ReplyDeleteI have friend in almost every country listed in the presentation and I cannot agree with any of those stereotypes. It is not true that every Pole is a thief and every British drink tea at 4PM. Stereotypes maybe rule the world, but they are almost always wrong. It is the other thing that stereotypes are made on the worst individuals in our society...
ReplyDeleteI think the stereotypes are result from history and maybe from some kind of propaganda. In my opinion the stereotypes sometimes says truth sometimes are wrong. That the Poles are lazy is wrong because, I've just heard that, we are leading in Europ in spending time at work. Unfortunately the Poles earn to little compare with Germans, Hispanic. That fact we love get drunk is ibvious, unfortunately. We shouldn't have a complexes that we are Poles. We have problems, I mean after the Second World War when we was enslaved by USSR, our culture changed for the worse. We should be confident that we are Poles because that activity will make solid brand our country.
ReplyDeleteI suppose there is something in stereotypes. May young people are more open to others than old generation, anyway stereotypes are still 'popular' and it will not change. Stereotype is the first step to judge. For example if somebody don't like homosexuals and see boy who are clothed in female clothes predicts that he could be homosexual, but of course he can be not. For me stereotypes are important to judge, I can say it's easier way to know somoeone.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that stereotypes have some beginning. Something must have make people to think in that way. Perhaps we must categorise information about other people in that way?
ReplyDeleteBut I don't believe in most of stereotypes. People vary even in groups of one family, not to mention as society. Even if some representatives of group that is being categorised by stereotype act like it, it does not make stereotype an axiom.
It's hard to say. I rather try not to believe in stereotypes, but sometimes, when somethink is new for me it's natural that I suggest in public opinion. It's true that it is unjust in many cases, because it is easier and faster to believe in some people opinion than to know someone better.
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