Stereotypes

Accents and vocabulary aren’t the only differences between English-speaking countries. Our cultures are very different too. It’s hard to describe the culture of a country without using stereotypes. Stereotypes are general impressions about another culture we receive from films, literature, media and word of mouth (de oídas). Our stereotypes about another country often prove to be false, when we meet someone from there. However, they’re hard to avoid. Here are some typical stereotypes about a few English-speaking countries:

          

Stereotypes about the English

·      The English are very polite (except at football matches) and are always apologising (disculpándose), even when someone steps on their toes!

·        The English have a very strange sense of humour.

·        They always talk about the weather and drink tea in their gardens.

Stereotypes about the Irish

·        The Irish have the gift of gab (el don de la palabra). They’re all very eloquent and enjoying talking and telling jokes.

·        All Irish people drink Guinness when they go out to a pub.

·        All Irish people have red hair and green eyes.

Stereotypes about Americans

·       All Americans love their country and have a flag hanging by their door.

·    Americans love eating fast food, especially hamburgers, hotdogs, and French fries and never eat regular sit-down meals.

·        All Americans are terrible at geography and couldn’t find their country on a map.

Stereotypes about Australians

·        They like wearing funny-looking (ridículos) hats and have no fashion sense.

·        All “Aussies” are descendants of English prisoners, taken there in 1787.

Australians are all good-looking (guapos) athletic people who wrestle (luchan) alligators and surf.