37 National Stereotypes That Are Hilarious Because They Might Actually Be True

Romania. Many people believe we have vampires, but in my 700 years of living here, I haven't even seen one.

I asked my mates back in the castle and they also haven't seen any, and they've been around for longer than I.

This is an extremely controversial opinion, but religion-based "modesty" clothing that is designed to protect women's "purity" will always rub me the wrong way. I don't care if the religion is Christian, Muslim, Pastafarian, or whatever else: I just think it is abhorrent and archaic when women are singled out as the ones responsible for keeping men from being predators and deviants and are made to cover any portion of their body because of some religious mandate. I also do not agree with the logic that this can ever be a woman's choice or a "feminist act" as long as a religious community is the source of the pressure to dress a certain way.

Germany: "Our stereotype is best told with a joke: 'How many Germans do you need to change a light bulb?' One. We are very efficient and not funny."

Canadian here. Yes, the stereotypes are true. Sorry.

Irishman here, I’m too drunk to answer this properly.

Italy: "That we eat pasta six times per week at least. Honestly, it's true for the vast majority of Italians."

Kenyans are all long-distance runners, live in huts, speak no English, and have pet wild animals. Ugh.

So here goes: The long-distance guys are mainly from one community/ tribe called the Kalenjin that's about 15% of the population. Next, Kenya is still a developing nation with a lot of poverty, but there's a lot of modern architecture. Next, the country is rated 18 out of 100 on the English Proficiency Index. And lastly: you can apply for a special (and rarely-granted) permit for your bobcat named Babou, but keeping wildlife is not at all common. And the Kenya Wildlife Service will conduct regular visits to ensure Babou isn't being kept in Meowschwitz-like conditions.

I am from Azerbaijan. And because of the country’s name many think we are a super religious country like Iran, Afghanistan, and etc.
In fact we are not. We are the 5th most secular country in the world and religion doesn’t play a role for us like it does for many other countries. We really arent religious.

Poland: "That the whole country is a grey, depressing wasteland. In reality, it's a very beautiful place with tons of gorgeous nature."

From NZ
I asked my ex girlfriend this question.
She just looked at me with her curls hanging over her dark brown eyes, her face looking full of confusion.
She didn't seem to understand what I was asking but she's always been the quiet one I suppose and not keen on confrontation.
I was getting annoyed at this point but I needed to know.
I asked her again but she turned away from me and screamed
Baaaaaaaaaa!

Brazil: football (soccer) is a religion.

Switzerland: "Everything is clean, and everything is wildly expensive. Yes, this is entirely true."

Germany: We're beer drinking sausage eaters with an addiction of starting World Wars.

People think British people are either stiff Upper lip public schoolboys or cockney brick layers/football hooligans. There's a whole world of people in between! Some of us don't even like football. One of my friends DOESNT EVEN DRINK TEA! Not sure why she's my friend to be honest.

We Scots do tend to swear a lot.

Aussie stereotype very true. Very laid back Up for a laugh Always talking bad about each other Don't mind a drink Friendly Very good at avoiding dangerous animals

Australia: "That the whole country is dangerous. That spiders, drop bears, snakes, feral cats, and dogs will rip your heart out every time you step out the door."

The unhinged tipping culture in the US. I just wanna go to a restaurant without feeling like I'm either either an ungrateful scrooge or ripping myself off. I understand that staffing is an expense, just factor it into the price!
Less egregious but in a similar vein is not including tax in stores.

QR codes for menus in the US, and probably other places, not sure. "Hey welcome to Zany Bob's House of Kebabs! Scan the QR right there on that nasty sticker on the table and you'll be brought to our site. Click on the menu, scroll through a too-large PDF of the menu on your phone because the owner couldn't get a proper developer for this, then order online! Isn't that easy?!" "Oh, what's that, Grandma doesn't have a phone? Well, I'd love to bring you a paper menu, but it's gonna be about 10 mins because we only have a few in the place." "Hey here's your food! I'll be back in 20 minutes to rush you out and expect a 20% tip for doing absolutely nothing. Y'all come back, now!"

Canada: "That we're all really polite and we put maple syrup on everything. (At least the maple syrup stereotype is true, though.)"

I’m English. Yes, we are reserved, yes we do queue in an orderly fashion and yes we will colonise you and add your culinary distinctiveness to our own.

When I was living in Japan, someone told me this. “Americans are stupid but clever, whereas the French are clever but stupid. We Japanese are polite but rude, whereas you Brits are rude but polite.”

France: "Everyone is rude and unwelcoming. Most stereotypical 'rude' French people live in Paris. The rest of us are way more kind and polite."

Spain: "So many tourists associate my whole country with bull fighting and the culture around it. In reality, most people I know hate or ignore this 'tradition' all together. In fact, parts of the country don't even allow it anymore."

As an Italian, yes. Keep in mind that most stereotypes about Italy are actually about South Italy. But we do eat pasta and pizza like every day and we do say "mamma mia" in every sentence. We can't help it.

Any country in Africa: "That Africa is one homogeneous country, not an entire continent made up of 50+ distinct countries."

How American public restroom stalls have that gap between the door and frame wide enough for you to make eye contact with anyone walking outside the stall.

Not exactly myth but decent amount of ppl still think that Czechoslovakia still exists. We split apart in 1993... We are Czech Republic, not Czechoslovakia anymore.

Working in Japan temporarily:

Yeah, we'll be here ready to go at 8AM

Ok, it's 8PM, time to call it a day.

But first, the boss and the big boss want to take us out to dinner

Now we have to go with them to the bar for drinks and karaoke.

Ok, it's 1AM, Boss and Big Boss have left. See you in the morning at 7:30.

That the Irish are the biggest drunks in the world, completely false and mean as we're only the second biggest drinker in the world but we hope to get first place next year

Tipping and taxes not included on the price tag.

That Japan is incredibly efficient and futuristic. Major LOL. So futuristic here that I can’t even pay my bills online, and if I want to set up an auto paying bill I have to request a form by mail, fill it out, and then take it to the bank in person. Not to mention I have to send in all my monthly reports by fax.

China - people spitting all over the place right in front of you, on the streets, on the sidewalks. It’s disgusting.

We aren't all overweight people wearing Old Navy American flag t-shirts and khaki shorts. Only, like, 60% of us.

When I started dating my now wife (who is from Oklahoma), she informed me that her friends and family were convinced that Canadians didnt have ice or toilet paper. They wanted her to ask me about it apparently because they were confused by that. I had never laughed so hard. I mean.. its Canada.. we are ice 70% of the year basically.

In general, the notion that turning down food is rude.

I appreciate that someone cooked a meal for me, but forcing me to choke down something I don’t like is ruder than me simply saying “No, thank you.”

Bartering. Just give me a price, already!