NationStates Jolt Archive

Some people seem to group people by nationality, as if being born in a certain nation somehow makes you think the same as everyone from that nation.

We hear "France does this/The French do that", which usually means the French government.

We've also heard (equivalents to) "Denmark offends Islam" or even "Europe offends Islam", and calls for attacks on the aforementioned places, when in fact, there were only about a dozen people responsible for the cartoons that caused offense.

EDIT: Just to make this clear, I'm not talking about stereotyping, but rather the idea that a nation acts and thinks as one, rather than the people within it having their own independent thoughts.

The question is, what makes this flagrant logical flaw so prevalent?

I blame the British. They all think that way.

I blame the British. They all think that way.

I didn't think they had enough time to do that, since they're so busy being EVIL SPACE VILLAINS.

I don't know it bothers me though when I hear "fat lazy stupid Americans" like all of us sit around on the couch watching Family guy all day and eating bon-bons and collecting welfare. :rolleyes:

I don't know it bothers me though when I hear "fat lazy stupid Americans" like all of us sit around on the couch watching Family guy all day and eating bon-bons and collecting welfare. :rolleyes:
Unfortunately the American Dream is getting harder and harder to attain. Many of us actually have to work for a living instead of watching Family Guy and eating bon-bons.

I don't know it bothers me though when I hear "fat lazy stupid Americans" like all of us sit around on the couch watching Family guy all day and eating bon-bons and collecting welfare. :rolleyes:

Well, that's stereotyping (although I've never heard people thinking that Americans live on welfare). I was really talking about the idea that a nation acts and thinks as one, rather than the people within it having their own independent thoughts.

Well, that's stereotyping (although I've never heard people thinking that Americans live on welfare). I was really talking about the idea that a nation acts and thinks as one, rather than the people within it having their own independent thoughts.
oh, I see, so like the "America hates France" type of thing right?

oh, I see, so like the "America hates France" type of thing right?

Yes. That's one example (I assume you're not accusing me of writing that).

Yes. That's one example (I assume you're not accusing me of writing that).
not accusing, I just hear it often, a few years ago I almost got kicked out of a restraunt for ordering "french fries" instead of "freedom fries" :rolleyes: I wanted french fries, I don't hate France........they assumed that if I was a "good American" I would though.

not accusing, I just hear it often, a few years ago I almost got kicked out of a restraunt for ordering "french fries" instead of "freedom fries" :rolleyes: I wanted french fries, I don't hate France........they assumed that if I was a "good American" I would though.

Intelligence isn't exactly an entry requirement for working at a fast-food restaurant.

everyone has stereotypes of other countries that we tend to add to the rest of the people from that country or region.

admitadly mine are a bit odd (for example I have been known on occasion to call americans those "dam upity colonials...") but I still try not to go into them too much though I will somtimes slip into them (hey i'm human and falible).

Try your best is all I can say.

Also you can say Denmark offends islam or America kills iraqis or France go's against war or what ever whats wrong is saying danes offend islam, americans kill iraqis or french go against war as this includes the entire people (which you can't claim all do this (well if its people breathe then you can but thats about it))

not accusing, I just hear it often, a few years ago I almost got kicked out of a restraunt for ordering "french fries" instead of "freedom fries" :rolleyes: I wanted french fries, I don't hate France........they assumed that if I was a "good American" I would though.

People out there actually took that stupid idea seriously? :eek:

People out there actually took that stupid idea seriously? :eek:
check the location........there are still restruants here with liberty toast, freedom fries, and American cut green beans...........:rolleyes:

People out there actually took that stupid idea seriously? :eek:
Careful, calling that idea stupid is actually a crime under the Patriot act.

check the location........there are still restruants here with liberty toast, freedom fries, and American cut green beans...........:rolleyes:

Point out that French fries are a Belgian food. It'll drive them mad.

check the location........there are still restruants here with liberty toast, freedom fries, and American cut green beans...........:rolleyes:
Liberty toast? teehee...

I dread what would happen if they decided to not like Italy anymore.

Would they go as far as to rename spaghetti into homeland sticks,
canneloni into stuffed freedom rolls and pizza into the great american pancake? :eek:

Careful, calling that idea stupid is actually a crime under the Patriot act.

Hey, I saw a good joke on that "freedom fries" thing once on Weekend Update of SNL.

I think it stems from:

A) Views by people in the media - and believing all people from X country think the same way (Especially if the person says so).

IE: All muslims want death to europeans - because that's all we hear and see on the news.

B) Stereotypes in the media - mainly in cartoons: a lot of this comes from wartime/political propaganda as well.

C) General Ignorance

D) Personal Experiences

E) When we say The "X"ians - we tend to mean their Government or their policies.

IE: The Chinese are communist: The Government may well be - but not everyone in China wants to be, or sees communism as their ideal.

F) Patriotism. People want to feel, or do feel they solely belong to X Country - and so tend to view people from Y country the same way - even if the "Y"ish can't stand it there.

I think it stems from:

A) Views by people in the media - and believing all people from X country think the same way (Especially if the person says so).

IE: All muslims want death to europeans - because that's all we hear and see on the news.

B) Stereotypes in the media - mainly in cartoons: a lot of this comes from wartime/political propaganda as well.

C) General Ignorance

D) Personal Experiences

E) When we say The "X"ians - we tend to mean their Government or their policies.

IE: The Chinese are communist: The Government may well be - but not everyone in China wants to be, or sees communism as their ideal.

F) Patriotism. People want to feel, or do feel they solely belong to X Country - and so tend to view people from Y country the same way - even if the "Y"ish can't stand it there.

yea, this makes most sense of all