What are some things about the world (especially other cultures) that you believed before being exposed to the internet, military, college, or other life experiences?

Some people I know, who have never done much outside their realm of comfort and familiarity, actually assume the world is much the same all over. Others of us, before we start exploring the internet or have exposure to the military or international students, assume other cultures are very different from us, when they may not be.

For instance, I once thought Canada and England and the Netherlands were very quaint and charming, because my image of them came from books and old encyclopaedias and new magazines which made the seem that way, But when in college, I met a girl from North Germany and quickly learned that, besides language, people were pretty much the same all over, listening to the same music and following the same fashion trends, especially in the western hemisphere.

I also used to believe Scandinavia and Canada were extremely cold and Mexico was mostly a hot desert. But parts of North America are much colder than Scandinavia, and there are warm places in unexpected locations. And Mexico has plenty of forests and mountains and even ice skating.

What were some of YOUR early impressions of the world, before really having access to information or exposure to foreign climates and cultures?