Pizza, Pasta and Mandolino: Stereotypes

Stereotypes. What's considered as being a board topic can be reduced to a few words, even with the most stereotypical of stereotypes.

Let's stop for a moment, and forget whatever understanding we might about other countries, instead, let's imagine that we know absolutely nothing about them. Our understanding now relies solely upon external sources, such as: the news, the opinions of others, film, and television. In essence, we are relying on a generalised outlook of other countries, of their: life style, traditions, customs, and even manner. I came realise this point of view, first hand, when discovering my own nationality through the eyes of foreigner. Once they learnt I was Italian what I would usually hear was: Pizza, Pasta, and Mandolino! Along with: Vespa, spaghetti and stracciatella! (all said with an exaggerated accent). Unfortunately, the list does not end there! In recent years, the most stereotypical word associated with Italy, was well, Berlusconi. Now, listen, I could crack a few laughs over the: pizza, pasta, mandolino, vespa, spaghetti and stracciatella bussiness (and get quite an appetite over it too), but as soon as somebody mentioned Berlusconi, I would go all shy (which has never happened to me before, never! ) wishing that I could just run as far as my legs could take me, and hide. But, I'm not the sporty type, so I had to deal with my limitations and debate the fact that Berlusconi shouldn't be the first thought to come to mind when thinking of Italy. Then, when I revealed that not only was I Italian, but that I was Scilian too, the only thought that came to people's minds was... Mafia! Naturally.

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The reality with stereotypes is that not only do nations tar the people of other nations with the same brush, but even within a nation itself there is a divide amongst its own people, which is accompanied with its own stereotypes. For example, for us southern Italians the north of Italy might as well be Germany, because apart from its proximity to the country, we associate the people of both areas as having a cold personality and a rigid standpoint (both physically, socially, ect). On the other hand, from a northern Italian perspective we are seen far too easygoing, so much so that we are considered lazy, and above all else, we are all mafiosi, each and everyone one of us. Yet, prejudice such as this is not uncommon, infact it exists in all four corners of the world. In England for example both those from the south and the north have stereotypes about each other, even for distinct areas, like Surrey for example. France is no exception either, take Parisians, they're like the steroids of stereotypes, then there's the south (which is a whole other story), and lets not start on Alsace. In Spain, Russia, Germany, wherever you go in the north the south will surely be stereotyped. Even the most distant of nation will hold a stereotype over yours. To put it simply, before you speak of a country make sure you have concrete knowledge and genuine interest of its culture, that way you'll avoid making a fool of yourself. Furthermore even though "Ah Italia! Pizza, pasta and mandolino! " can ironically be nice to hear from time to time, be careful not to say it too often, instead why not Wikipedia some facts about Italy and try to add some new vocabulary in the mix, like: Botticelli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Montalbano.

Obviously Italy isn't the only country to be stereotyped, as stereotypes change from place to place depending on the community's perspective of the country being stereotyped. So lets take a look at the stereotypes that I've heard of, around the world, particularly whilst travelling and meeting people.

France

Baguettes under one arm, Fromage, the haut cuisine, escargots, and cochon! But what they definitely not famous for are coffee and cigarettes (they stole that from us, the Italians! ).

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Spain

Fsfsfsfs, Sangría, paella, Ibiza, flamenco, bulls, and maricón.

Portugal

Aren't they famous for their outstanding beauty, bacalao, sun, surf, and caralho?

England

Sir would you like a cup of tea? (in the most poshest accent ever), her majesty the Queen, rubbish food, London, poor oral hygiene, drunks, and of course the renowned For f**k sake!

Germany

Wurstel, Ich liebe dich! (forever shouting because they're always angry), know-it-all's, cold personality, rigid, blonde, Oktober fest, beer, Berlin, Nazi, Hitler, Scheisse!

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Switzerland

Clean, punctual, they speak French weirdly, Belgians too? Putain!

Belgium

Bruxelles, they speak french?! Waffles, what else are they famous for?

Amsterdam

Where's the joint at?

Northern European Countries

The fact that there are many of them doesn't make a difference to us, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, what are they famous for anyway? The cold? Fish? Beautiful women? Cold.

Eastern European Countries

Cold, Russian (because it's Russia anyway), vodka, sexy women, smoke, racism, Moscow, communism, mafia, violence, dictatorship.

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India

Muslims, sexism, you eat with your hands, hot, traffic, exotic, no one knows where India begins nor where it ends, no one understands when they speak, anyway that zone is called the Middle East.

Asia

The Chinese, sushi, slanted eyes, geishas, rice, slim, yellow, they eat weird animals, noodles, Hong Kong, Gangnam Style.

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Africa

Hot, desert, dark skin, disease, poverty, you play football in the middle of the road, Waka Waka, Nelson Mandela, big families, couscous.

North America

Canada, Quebec, Avril Lavigne, New York, junk food, everything is huge, war, dumb, Yo Dude!

South America

Mexico, burritos, Colombia, drug trafficking, Brazil, beautiful women, Cuba, Castro, the Amazon, tortillas, nachos!

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The rest of the world does not exist. Or rather they don't have an stereotypical stereotype (from what I know), for example Australia has surfboarding, and sun, Hawaii has Aloha, and there are so many more places that we know relatively little about, hence why there aren't many stereotypes for them. In conclusion, after having gone through all the stereotypes that I've come to know whilst travelling, I would like to mention that what I've wrote is based not on my own thoughts and opinions, but on the stereotypes that each country has on each other. Therefore, if you wish to share your opinion, please do comment but bear in mind that it must be respectful and not at all offensive towards other cultures.

Auf Wiedersehen, À bientôt, Hasta luego, Ciao, Adeus, до свидания, See ya later!

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