Are there any widely-held myths about any groups that you or your loved ones belong to? Set us straight!

You want us to dispel stereotypes, or say which ones we’re in?

I’m a southerner who was born in the mountains. We are not all bigoted, we are not all racist, we are not all homophobes, we are not all stupid, and we are not all ignorant to the world around us. We are not all inbred, and we won’t kill you and eat you for coming on our property without our permission. We don’t all handle snakes and we actually wear shoes. We are not all fat either.

Transsexuals do not all go from male to female, and we do not all work in the sex industry. Also when getting a sex change it does not involve taking two weeks off work and coming back totally transformed. The process actually takes several years to complete.

That libertarians are completely opposed to any form of social safety net and that we have a sociopathic lack of empathy towards the down trotten of society.

@KidCurtis yes, that’s a good one. And that we are equivalent to anarchists as well. Another one I hate is that I am somehow violently inclined because I enjoy guns so much, or that I’m “compensating” or likely to go apeshit and start killing everyone.

Oh, and apparently history students are useless and lazy. I’ve heard that one a lot lately and I never knew it was a stereotype until now. It’s not true.

@Blackberry Dispel stereotypes, sorry.

We don’t all know Kung Fu
and we aren’t all good at math.

Actually one of those holds true for me,
but I’ll let you guess which one…

There are bunches of stereotypes about my group, many of them are somewhat true, but we put our own slant on it.

Jews are said to be cheap. I say good with money, focus on value, and spend money wisely.

We have good senses of humor. What the hell else are we going to do with all this crap thrown at us over the years? (oh, sarcastic too) We have to laugh at something, many times we laugh at ourselves.

Obsessed with food. True. Jews care about the food; at a Jewish part they want to check out the food, the Irish go straight for the bar. Oops, another stereotype, different group.

Jews become doctors and lawyers. Well, it is said all Jewish parents want their children to be a doctor or a lawyer. Supposedly this comes from Jews caring about justice and doctors finish God’s work. Oh, we are in banking also. Well, Jews kind of went towards the money/cash, it was portable, unlike real estate, when people were kicking is out of countries, or when we had to run for our lives. Plus at some point and time Christians were not supposed to make money off of other people’s money, so we did that job for them. Oh, diamonds too. More portable than a house.

We are in and own the media. Well, a lot of people would not hire Jews, but we could get jobs to entertain. Acting, comedians, etc. Back in the day being an actor was scene as a lower job, but of course in the last 75 years this has completely changed around to an extent, and people can make a lot of money. Anyway the Hollywood biz and NY theatre and television was very Jewish, and it grew from there into multimedia. Still Hollywood has a disporportionate amount of Jewish people in the industry.

Not all crazy cat ladies are single.

Not all women in relationships with other women are lesbians.

Not all people in L.A. have tans, plastic surgery or want to be in the Industry.

That artists love to work so much that they do not mind poverty are more than willing to give away art for free. (We have bills too damnit!)

That artists work is not work at all.

That artists are all eccentric or deranged.

That artists are so ego-centric they will be willing to give away their work on the off chance of getting “their name out there.” (Again- we have bills too!)

Most people answering the question are writing, “we are not all.” I never think a stereotype means all. I think it means enough to form a stereotype.

Us northern (english) men, don’t wear flat caps, own whippets & smurk tabs!
At least this bugger doesn’t.

-the majority of us don’t live in Igloos.
-Most of us don’t say “eh” (I have heard it from only 3 different people in my lifetime).
-Canada’s national sport is hockey. Not completely true. While hockey is very popular, and considered our national pastime, our national sport is lacrosse. Oh, and we invented baseball too.

Truth – we have one of the prettiest countries in the world.

I don’t even want to go into all the shit people think of indigenous folks and Southeast Asians, let alone going into what people think anti-civilization anarchists and survivalists.

Not all men are trying to get into your pants when we are being randomly nice.

So frustrating when you try to be nice to a woman and she says “I’m married”.

Oh, I’ll do my husband’s group too. Hispanic.

Hispanics in America don’t learn English. Most do, some don’t, but all children born in America, even those born to Hispanic parents, speak English like any other American.

Hispanics are uneducated. Actually, the average education is 8th grade for Mexican immigrants, I don’t know for people coming from other countries in Latin America. But, they are not stupid. Most people in America probably test on an 8th grade level, even though they have a high school diploma. In fact I remember once reading it is advised that most magazine writers write at about an 8th grade level so the audience understands. My husband who is a naturalized citizen now has a Masters. His sister went to finishing school in Switzerland.

Hispanics are loud. Just depends. Everything tends to sound loud when people are speaking a language you can’t understand. We are the loud American in Italy, believe me. Many times we notice the loud Hispanic table in the restaurant of 12 people, but there are other tables all around the restaurant with Hispanics that go unnoticed.

Side note: my husband does not really consider himself Hispanic he is white and Mexican and American. He answers White Hispanic on forms, but still it is odd. I think many Hispanics don’t identify with the term. He would prefer not to be singled out by race or nationality I think. Well, that is wrong, he does not mind at all identifying as Mexican. That is his heritage.

Not all jellies are cool and smart. I’m actually crass and dumb.

Quadriplegic does not equal Christopher Reeve. A person living with a complete or incomplete injury at the cervical level could be quadriplegic.

Disabled does not equal stupid, useless, depressed or incapable.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been mistaken for an octopus or a squid.
Just because we all have tentacles…sheesh.

@Mariah Oh ok.

Guys that play video games and that are very into video games are not nerds, lazy, or not “real men”. Just like women that seem to care much about accessories aren’t shallow and inane.

Poor people don’t hate rich people, and we’re not socialists and communists. We don’t want to take money from the rich and put it directly in our pockets.

You got all day? Just because we’re married doesn’t mean either of us is straight or that we’re monogamous. Just because we’re vegan doesn’t mean we will demand ‘our food’ everywhere we go and it doesn’t mean we have nothing to eat or are unhealthy. Just because I say I’m queer doesn’t mean I’m trying a ‘trendy’ identity, it’s a different identity from lesbian or bi, for me. Just because I’m Russian doesn’t mean I like to be on Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. Just because I look like a student doesn’t mean I am, you boy who hit on a faculty member. Just because I ‘look like a woman’ doesn’t mean I identify as one and it doesn’t mean that just because I don’t identify as a woman that I must change how I look. Etc.

Untrue myth about Black men:
• We don’t all have rhythm, I can’t dance worth a lick.
• We don’t all like soul food, watermelon (which I loath), or fried chicken.
• We all do not hate oral sex (happen to love it myself).
• We are not all lazy, thieves or rappers.
• We don’t all like fat white women or big aftermarket boobed blondes.
• We are not all good at basketball, I never was.
• We all don’t have big Di..…..OK maybe there is some truth to that if women I had been with were truthful.
• We all do not cheat on or beat our women.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir Ok, but are you in the Russian mafia? Haha. Italians hate that stereotype, and now I think Russians are the ones who get stuck with it lately.

@Hypocrisy_Central I’m with you man. I can’t dance, either. But speak for yourself on the big white women ;D

@JLeslie Well…my brother was in it long ago and I helped in some questionable situations.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir :).

@Hypocrisy_Central But can you swim?

Just because I’m Russian, it doesn’t mean that I am a slut or I sit around drinking all of the time.

I get asked about those two details ALL OF THE TIME.

@KateTheGreat People ask you if you are a slut? I actually never hear that one. The one I hear is when Russian women come over as adults, that they are mail order brides. Especially if they are married to some dorky American guy.

Just because I happen to be good at caring for sick people doesn’t mean I should have to do it for a living. (In response to a flood of people telling me I should become a nurse)
I am also damn good at opening locked cars- should I become a car thief?

(no offense to either Nurses or Car Theives.)

Just because I keep slave girls locked in a cage in my bedroom doesn’t mean that I’m evil :-p

@JLeslie @Hypocrisy_Central But can you swim? I can do a pathetic, epileptic dog paddle for about 7 maybe 10ft then I am going down like the Titanic. Davey Jones here I come! I guess that myth holds some truth with me also.

@KateTheGreat Они думают, потому что вы привлекательны Русские, что вы по почте? Кто они, я убью их! LOL LOL Even Moose and Squirrel will not save them

@JLeslie, Yeah, it’s quite weird. It’s mostly a bunch if horny college boys. I don’t know how that came up.

@Hypocrisy_Central Oh you. Hahahaja

@Hypocrisy_Central Hahaha. :).

I don’t tend to belong to “groups” I believe they breed stupidity. I don’t even have a facebook page.

Honestly… I think this is the only place especially on the net, that actually breeds intelligence.

*Go Jellies!

@GabrielsLamb What does that mean you don’t tend to belong to a group? Is that kind of like when I say I am not a “joiner.” The group for this question is probably more about the group society tends to put you in, not necessarily the one you self identify with, although some of us obviously do self identify also.

@JLeslie That’s why I said I and not everyone. I understand that most people NEED groups to feel like they are a part of society and to self identify.

But I feel personally that groups tend to seperate rather than to offer any kind of intellectual diversity among people in general.

That is a personal choice of mine, and I say it perfectly well aware that is it VERY personal indeed.

I don’t feel that they shouldn’t exist, I just think the majority of them don’t really do anything much FOR society as a whole, and some of them even in the event of creating atmospheres of togetherness within them, tend to have the opposite effect as end results.

I think sometimes, some “Groups” breed environments that serve more to give hate a platform than they ever do peace and unity and all that.

It happens naturally, and I do not believe it is intentional.

@GabrielsLamb You called yourself a hermit earlier. Do you live in a cabin in the woods? That’d be a “group” you’re a part of

@JLeslie Let’s just say it like this… If an African American group got together and discussed WHite issues in a positive way, or a Muslim group got together and discussed a Jewish issue in a positive way, or a sports group got together and discussed an opposing team in a positive way then all of the above might be a good thing.

But that simply isn’t how it works out. Even with the best intentions that isn’t what happens in reality.

THAT is what I meant to say… I’m not always clear when I attempt to explain things so…

And I do belong to a group… This one.

“Honestly… I think this is the only place especially on the net, that actually breeds intelligence.

*Go Jellies!”

@SpatzieLover Not technically… We don’t have weekly meetings to discuss the pitfalls of home delivery food services if that’s what you mean.

@GabrielsLamb I agree with your statement that grouping people can and does separate people. However, the reality is people are grouped, generalizations are made, marketing experts make a living understanding the psychographics and demographics of groups, and sociologists have a whole science built around understanding group norms, values, behaviors, and mores.

There are postive stereotypes, and people do talk about them and study them. I know many white people who speak very positively about Asians regarding how well their children do in school, that they excell in math and the sciences. Of course not all of them. Italians have close knit families, another positive I think. Hispanic men and black men and white men over 50 dance. Sure there are probably more negative stereotypes being said behind closed doors than positive, I am not saying there aren’t. But, to say you are not part of a group, what you are really only saying is ideally no one would be grouped, we are all just individuals. What I say is when I meet someone I meet them as an individual, I do not make assumptions or prejudgments, I get to know them as a person. If they happen to fit into a stereotype for their group they do. If they don’t they don’t.

Most stereotypes develop because something appears to be statistically true for the group, it is not usually made out of thin air, although that can happen. It is usually a malicious act when it does.

@GabrielsLamb Think of it this way – whether or not you like being in a group…when people see you, they perceive you as belonging to a number of groups…they make assumptions about what race/ethnicity you are, what sexuality and gender you are…it’s about perception, not reality…

@JLeslie The so-called ‘positive’ stereotypes are harmful, nonetheless.

@GabrielsLamb, some groups you are inherently a part of, like your racial group. If, for instance, you are biologically female (even if you don’t self-identify as female), people will look at you and make assumptions about you right off the bat because of your appearance. These assumptions are the kinds of myths I’m looking for in this question.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir True. The positive ones can be harmful, I have to agree. But, since you study and teach sociology, you are making assessments and having discussion about groups all the time. Do you think it would be better to truly work towards doing away with all statistics and analysis of group behavior? All talk regarding the topic? I am asking, I am not saying I agree or disagree. Just exploring the idea.

@JLeslie I don’t tend to agree with the entire theory in retrospect that states how when things in society become out moded or add to problems, that people shouldn’t continue to justify them for personal reasons.

Saying that of course I am perfectly well aware of how unrealistic it is to assume that people might self actuate and take the time to be proactive with changing anything at all about themselves in order so that global conscious and a more socitial copacetic thing might come of it as a result.

But some things, some practices, some beliefs are in need of occasional revision. America was founded on the premise of breaking away from one totalitarian mindset as a group and inadvertently in the event of attempting to break free from the restrictive confines of said groups just instead created others that came along and replaced them with in some cases worse groups.

It never ends and if the world will ever even attempt to change anything wrog within these mindsets of “grouping, and seperatism,” then we need to have respect for everything within them.

That’s all I’m saying really. Like I said, I don’t usually tend to explain my internal process very well. It’s basically harmless… I swear because it comes from a place of perspective, that people who think in terms of the validity of opinions don’t usually tend to allow.

*Not you… You actually allowed me my say once I reiterated without jumping my shit and I appreciate it.

@JLeslie Yes, I teach groups & organizations in a single lecture so it’s quite the topic in sociology, you are right. And no, of course not. But there is a difference between conducting sociological research on a group and making generalized statements about a group in a prejudicial way.

Myth: girls suck at math. Fuck that, I can do mathmatical circles, ellipses, and leminscates around most guys I know. :P

Myth: if you’re skinny, you must be anorexic.

@Mariah I think differently, I don’t tend to agree completely because I am of the belief *Which is rare and problematic as a result… that everything you are is a complete and total choice to be that thing or not.

*See Michael Jackson

@Mariah *On the Math thing… I believed that too growing up because I had it intentionally preached over me like a mantra by a man. I literally have a very basic math aptitude as a result

You are right… It is a complete fallacy. But that being said, fallacies sometimes are made true by opinion and other times truths are made false by the same premise.

@GabrielsLamb, to your first comment, that’s fine that you think that way, I think that’s a good way to think, but the point is that you don’t have the choice as to whether society perceives you as belonging to part of a group, even if you don’t self-identify as part of that group. So people who believe in such stereotypes will judge you regardless.

@GabrielsLamb Saying that of course I am perfectly well aware of how unrealistic it is to assume that people might self actuate and take the time to be proactive with changing anything at all about themselves in order so that global conscious and a more socitial copacetic thing might come of it as a result.

Who exactly are you talking about there?

I think @Mariah stated my point better than I did. It’s like being Jewish. Even if I say I am not Jewish, once people find out my parents were Jewish and I was raised Jewish, especially if the person is antisemetic, they are going to label me in their mind as a Jew. I don’t get to choose necessarily. I assume you are female? You will be grouped in with females. You might be mathematically inclined like @Mariah and me (although her math skills are beyond mine) or fit the stereotype. Or, you might meet these stereotypes. I think it is human nature to group. It makes it easier to hold and organize information. It’s like a filing system in our brains I think.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir I agree there is a difference between research and generalized statements. But, sometimes the generalizations actually come out of the research or support the generalizations.

@JLeslie What I meant by that too is to explain how although I understand how groups are necessary, I understand that they usually BELIEVE they are doing the right thing, and I acknowledge that inference as something that as assumptions go, is both; natural as well as acceptible to believe.

I am speaking of any and all groups specifically that come together under the premise of unity and togetherness under the pretence of such good decent reasons, that are known by proxy to have an adverse effect simply because they ARE in groups.

Groups as a good thing, come together to create a better world, fight injustices, organize and better society. Habitat for humanity, religious groups, activist groups… But that being said, in the event of coming together as compartmentalized seperate units, in the event as a natural process, they at the same time restrict, dissallow, prevent, show predjudice, bias, seperatism, nepotism,and favoritism.

SO that goes for ANY group that functions as an entity intent on being the exception against any rule, that by this creates yet another one that in essence is no better than what it banded together to strengthen itself against. ” Fighting fire with fire.”

For instance… Many of the red berets in NYC the vigalante anti-crime group were clandestine criminals who hid a lot of criminal behavior under the guise of helping, and solving a problem. Sometimes things are done for the right reasons, but they are executed for the wrong reasons.

Anything in my opinion that exists to in any way seperate people is bad. Distinctions don’t strengthen anyone but the people who are inside the interests of the group. and that event always causes opposition naturally.

This group cohesion, mindset as a whole on a minute scale or a global scale causes fighting, wars, dissention, hatred and provides it safe environments in which to exact itself on the world.

So naturally I am not talking about organizations like Greenpeace or PETA or anything that works toward improving the world as a group. But instead the kind of group mindset as an organization that promotes the instances of deindividualization that allows for people to dissappear as individuals into a group cohesive mindset and become a part of organized mobs like the kind of thing where people are booed off of roof tops by corwds because of that kind of deindividualization where being somewhat “invisible” individually allows for it.

@GabrielsLamb Ok, you just took this to a whole different realm. The Q for me is about groups we are almost born into, or happen to be associated with, not groups we joined. I mean sure, we can stereotype Greenpeace people and Red Berets, but I don’t think anyone’s mind is there for the purpose of this discussion. All answers are race, nationality, religion, region of the country, political party, etc. Well, I guess religion and politics are more something one joins. But, most people are probably the religion and political party they grew up with.

See, again, I don’t feel like I am a joiner, I am not attracted to becoming part of a group. Yet, I know I am associated with certain groups, either because I want to be, or because the outside world puts me in the group. I simply am female; I was born that way and continue to identify as a woman. I am also American; I was born a citizen of this country and continue to maintain my citizenship here. I am also a northeasterner, even though I now live in the south. I can’t really help those things, they just are.

It has nothing to do with believing we are doing the right thing within our group, I think that is a different discussion. That would be us being critical of behaviors of various groups. Here we are just stating if we meet the stereotypical behavior or not.

@JLeslie Yeah but like I mentioned, I don’t believe… *Which I realize before saying this, how it is just as strange as anything else I ever say so

But I believe that you do not HAVE to be something just because You’re born something. I personally feel that to identify with anything is a choice yes, even one’s own race.

And I say that fully well aware of the fact that others do not feel that way. I believe personally that everything in life is a matter of choice.

like I said… even skin color. *See michael Jackson. *See women and men who tan on purpose in order to become darker skinned, and in many cases, to identify more with a darker race as a personal choice, different than they are born.

In the case of MJ, the man wasn’t born white or light skinned, but he practically was by the time he died. Do I agree with that being a good idea? No, Not really, but it was his choice to identify not with a white race necessarily but he turned himself instead into a damn cartoon character anime figurine on purpose as a personal choice not to identify with what he was at birth so.

He didn’t die as what he was born as, and never really identified with it personally.

*Yeah, I realize it’s a stretch but it’s the truth none the less.

@JLeslie And to quote the question directly…

“Groups” as in racial, religious, gender, disability, age, or whatever other categorical groups you may belong to. Set us straight on common myths about your group.”

@GabrielsLamb What I am not communicating well is that I too believe everyone has a choice. It doesn’t matter what you choose, people on the outside still put you in a box.

@JLeslie I agree, and that is my problem with deindividualization through groups.

Ta Daaa… We agree. I’m just long winded confusing as hell and a bit boring. LOL

@Jleslie

It’s not you… It’s me. *Seriously, It is and I know it, I trip over my tongue sometimes when I try to explain myself. Especially when I know that whatever I am about to say probably won’t be well recieved.

Thanks again for being so cool about it. ♥

@GabrielsLamb What I don’t get is why are you on this Q exactly? I am not trying to get rid of you or anything, but you will not answer the question at the top. You don’t want to tell us what group you do belong to, the myths surrounding the group, and whether you might fit the stereotypes.

My point is that I don’t identify with belonging to any as a member by choice, and that is my reason why.

But I did say this group… I do identify myself as a Jelly!

But I am Indian… And I think the “Common myths” are pretty obvious here but I haven’t scalped anyone in ages.

@GabrielsLamb Ok, what is the jelly stereotype? Atheist, pro gay marriage, Democrat?

@GabrielsLamb You are Indian? And use Indian, not Native American?

Well… I am Canadian Indian and American so I don’t usually specify because it’s too long to type that out.

Onondaga and Blackfoot Migratory in the winter months from Canada to Upstate NY. *it’s a little easier to just say Indian.

*And although I don’t literally have red skin… I have a patch of red skin so not to be difficult but I can’t literally refute that either. LOL

I know, Convoluted… but the point too is that I DO understand the question but I was following the rules for once and attempting to throw in an alternate viewpoint concerning groups and myth because this question isn’t in the General section and Im new here so I thought the point was to converse out of the box when it is in the social section and to keep in line directly with the question when it is in the general section…

Sorry, did I screw up again?

@GabrielsLamb Well, I don’t really have any negative stereotypes about Indians, except that from what I understand alcoholism has become a problem in the community and there is a lot of poverty in that population also. But, I am talking about American Indians, I have no idea in Canada. I also think of Indians as caring about nature and the land. Most of the people I know who are Indian or part Indian are basically like any other American I know.

I think Native American still fits you. As in the continent of America. But, I don’t mean to detract from any national pride you have with Canada.

@JLeslie No one can call that a myth though because it is mainly true. And see, that is the problem I have with groups. *Sorry, here I go again…

Groups catagorize things, and catagorization assumes inferences of sameness within said group, then when you take notice of something that is common, but doesn’t then cover the entire spectrum of said group people on the outside of the group have NO RIGHT to notice the obvious within the lot and they are then placed into an alternate group against their truth and against their will set up to act as a counter condition called RACIST. *Another group.

I hate steriotypes, but are they true sometimes… Yes absolutely they are and the proof of that is found within comedy where we are allowed to both identify with steriotypes safely, as well as not have them cling to anyone in a derragatory manner *Even though technically it is the same damn thing.

And socially the error that comes with grouping things is the fact that even when identified with said group one must still maintain a portion of individuality apart from it.

it is all just stupid to me and it causes problems. Groups, groupings, myths, and steriotyping falls under the logical catagory *Group called a logical fallacy.

The logic in this argument is circular and never ending because both positions are true, and only one is recognized as valid.

@GabrielsLamb My goal is to always remind people generalizations do not apply to everyone in the group, it is only a generalization. As I said above we need to treat everyone as an individual. Your idea of trying to deny there are groups seems like a harder road.

I grew up with a dad who is a sociologist, so he had all sorts of stats about many groups floating around in his head. But, he was sure to also teach us not to take the stats as the end all be all, we should not prejudge or discrimiate. And, certainly not to believe that anyone’s life is predetermined by the circumstance they are born into, especially not here in the US, and I am sure it is the same in Canada. But, at the same time when generalizations are statistically true; well, they just are.

We can learn about ourselves and others with that sort of information. Why is one group more financially proseperous than another? Why is one group healthier than another? We group people for many reasons.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-962221125884493114#

Here, when you have time… watch this.

Religion is the example used here, but this is truth throughout society within the realm of any formed or born group.

My problem is not the connotations or rebuttals of the “myths” that do or don’t exist within groups… but my problems is with the concepts of the “Group” period.

There are too many reasonable, as well as irrational end results within every single one and the only thing it ever causes is arguments, inferences and the convieniences of seperatism that exist throughout the concept in and of itself.

It is natural, it is acceptible but that doesn’t make any of it beneficial at all. It’s an out moded means of transport and I think people should identify as individuals and not as parts of groups when and where any opinion that exists withn or without will only ever create distinctions that cause and create mini wars throughout society either intentionally or with purpose to do so.

@GabrielsLamb Yeah, but sometimes inferences are useful and productive. In research we study groups, because studying one individual results in an invalid study or antecdotal evidence. It isn’t enough information to make a conclusion.

@JLeslie Yes, since groups tend to be aware of generalizations made about them and some members might internalize stereotypes, which is quite common.

Scottish people are stingey. Somewhere I read that per head, Scottish people give most to charity out of the UK or Europe or the world. Or something. I think there used to be much more of a societal movement to make do and mend but the economic boom years have led to wanton consumerism in Scotland as much as anywhere else. Although recently I moved house from Scotland to England and our move was delayed by one week while the money made its way to us by cheque, instead of electronic transfer. Cheques are free but electronic transfer costs £30. I could hear in my head people in Scotland saying “30 quid? I’m no payin’ that”

@Stinley In America we don’t have that stereotype of Scottish people, nor Scottish-Americans, as far as I know. I do have a question, just to clarify, so you think someone complaining about a £30 fee is stingy?

@JLeslie I think so, in the sense that stingy meaning not spending money if you don’t absolutely have to.

Now that I am in England I am quite conscious when I talk about how much things cost that I am fitting the stereotype.

What is the stereotype of Scots then?

@Stinley Well then I fit into the Jewish stingy stereotype. LOL. I think that is smart about money as I said in my first answer at the top.

I think maybe the Scots share some of the same stereotype as the Irish here, that they like a drink, but honestly I don’t know of many stereotypes that would be commonly held here. Maybe in parts of my country where more people from Scotland live there are additional stereotypes. In my own head I think of the Scottish people as some of the nicest, most friendly people on earth. Possibly not many immigrated here compared to the Irish and the Italians, Hispanics, Asians, etc., so the Scottish never had a lot of generalizations made about them. Not sure.

I’ve always heard Scots were/are stingy

Well there you go. Maybe more Scottish background up in the Midwest? So you have more stereotypes.

@JLeslie Where I reside there are stereo types of all Europeans, as we have lots of them or we were them.
-Krauts are cold, abrasive and hard-workers
-Italians are loud, touchy/feely, and argue in public
-Polish people have a great work ethic but are called “dumb” and are the butt of many jokes
-Scots are cheap. Scots & Irish can’t cook. Both drink too much.
I could go on. Personally, I think a lot of the stereotypes started way back before most people had more than a weekly newspaper. People chatted about others here when there wasn’t much to do. The generalizations were passed down to the next generation and stuck.

The only one I’ve never been able to figure out is this one:
Gypsies steal children. Some say it’s a folklore like “The wolves will eat you if you’re alone in the forest” To keep children “safe”

@SpatzieLover I hate the stereotype of Polish people being stupid. So ridiculous, and simply not true in my experience. The majority of my friends from college are 100% or part Polish. From what I understand that developed out of many of them not learning English when they first came to this country. And, the Stereotype about Gypsies stealing children is vaguely familar to me, but in my mind I really don’t have any negative or criminal stereotypes of Gypsies, just that they travel and they might try to “scam” but not illegal, more like selling magic medicine back in the day, that sort of thing. The other stereotypes kind of fit many of the people I know from those backgrounds, but of course it isn’t 100%. My Scottish BIL (literally born and raised in Scotland, now living in the US) certainly can cook, but he is gay, so maybe he moves over to that group. LOL.

@JLeslie having lived on the west coast and now in the Midwest, it seems stereotypes of people based on their ethnic background, no matter what it is, are more common here in the cornfield. There are stereotypes I have heard of since I arrived here that I didn’t even know existed when I lived in California.

With the Polish thing, I heard lots more about the stereotype of the Polish being dumb when I was a kid then I hear now. I am part Polish and I used to love to share that information with people just daring them to tell me a nasty joke so I could let them have it! I don’t think my kids – who have a very obviously Polish last name – have ever been teased for being dumb.

@JLeslie Yeah, I don’t agree with them…they just are. The Polish people I’ve known/know are beautiful, intelligent, are super clean, and work harder than the average person.

I am surrounded by Irish families. Their children certainly look well fed and well cared for. I happen to know many more German alcoholics than I do Irish/Scot ones.

I do think a lot of these broad generalizations were made during the immigration period. One guy worked with another…and those fellas took home stories about their co-workers home. Really, people didn’t have much news back then.

At one time, Italians were compared to rats. No one wanted them in their city. My Italian family found it hilarious to discuss this at the dinner table

@SpatzieLover Oh yeah, that is another stereotype I do have of Polish people, very clean, neat and tidy. One of my Polish girlfriends says her older relatives may have wore polyester and had tacky furniture, but everything was neat and clean. Her words, not mine.

You don’t agree Germans can be cold or abrasive? It’s actually not the words I have in my mind. I think regimented, tidy, and inflexible. At the same time friendly and yes hard working.

And, you don’t find Italians to have shorter tempers and more physically affectionate? Or, just warmer?

@SuperMouse I lived in MI for college, but I never heard any Scottish stereotypes while there. Other ones yes, but they were basically the same as what I had always heard in the Northeast.

Where I live now in Memphis I never hear one peep about any nationality stereotypes, it is bazarrily silent. They do talk about black people though.

@JLeslie I don’t think I have ever heard a Scottish stereotype! But now that I am in the Midwest I have heard a lot more stereotypes about Irish, Italian, German, Hispanic etc. immigrants.

I am Italian and German…et.al. Certainly the Italian side of my family is much more likely to hug, kiss and feed you. The Germans are rigid in their routines and their thoughts. So, yes, I agree with those ;) The Russians are also more likely to feed, hug, kiss, and be superstitious…but I still think a bit of it is psychological, as it’s what you see after you’ve heard the stereotype.

@SuperMouse Are they more recent immigrants where you live in the midwest compared to California? What I mean is my Polish, German, Italian friends are mostly 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Americans, so they knew their immigrant parents or grandparents, and their friends relatives who were immigrants. Here where I live now they are so many generations removed, and someone pointed out that here they identify more with being souther than being German or English, etc. Also, I think as the newer immigrating groups grow, like Hispanics, the ones from the past become less blaring, either because people feel less threatened by them, or because they have assimilated so much over time.

@SpatzieLover I think all of it is at play, good point about observing what you expect to observe.

So now we need the stereotypes regarding Americans from the people who live in other parts of the world.

I’m a mutt, so our family doesn’t have an exact point where we consider our nationality to be.
I just take any comments on any of my heritages as though I’m not what they’re talking about.
That way they say what they’re thinking, without holding back because they think I’m Irish, etc.

I do make fun of my mother always asking me and my brother if we want to go to church,
and I have a very Italian friend who I can’t resist telling when I get something from the pizzeria,
“Go ahead and have a garlic knot, I know you Italians can’t resist eating them.”
He then punches me, and takes one. Worth it every time.

All people pass 45yr. DO NOT NEED BIG BUTTONS!!
All people past 65yr. do not need Depends or a hearing aid!
And 93% of us men 50+ do not need the “Little Blue Pill” to get it done in the bedroom!