ADVERTISEMENT

Country stereotypes can be harmful, but other times they can be downright hilarious. No matter where you are from, you've probably had someone spout of some ridiculous stereotype about your city, country, or continent. But this list of memes proves there may be some truth to those funny stereotypes.

'Meanwhile, in X' is a viral country meme series based on the participial phrase 'Meanwhile in…,' "a literary device that allows an easy segue between two concurrent events in different places. Scroll down below to check out some of the most hilariously funny memes from places around the world (including your own). Don't forget to upvote your favs!

#1

Meanwhile In Australia

Meanwhile In Australia

Shady_Slim Report

Add photo comments
POST
ethandreemurrh avatar
catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw, that's just my pet. His name is Harold. Perfectly harmless.

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could write a 10,000 word essay and not convey a more acceptable reason for not reading the meter.

keisha_washington avatar
Keisha Washington
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Massive spider attached to box - has red fangs... sorry I burned your house down

ela-kapic avatar
misteriosa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am waiting for Foxxy's comment "oh come on, it's just a harmless huntsman" :D ❤

reinadelargatos avatar
patricia_rix_3 avatar
Patricia Rix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meter reader should carry a flame thrower for times like this.

alexandrabrowning2013 avatar
Alex Noott
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Burn the meter as well as the spider or, burn down the house & spider runs up meter readers pants! 😆😆

Load More Replies...
brionnalane avatar
Brionna Lane
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is like the 10th horrible thing I've heard about australia...I'm trying not to judge, but...

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a legit reason. I would have a breakdown if I saw that. It still had the blood of it's enemies on it's fangs. badger-nop...eaba29.gif badger-nope-nope-5d3c3a1eaba29.gif

catwoman408 avatar
Tina Hugh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m slightly surprised they don’t have a designated check box for massive spiders with fangs.

allisondagenhardt150 avatar
Pink
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Name one thing in Australia that couldn't seriously harm you.

virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Calls in Ripley with her flamethrower. "Get away from that you b*tch!"

snorincats avatar
Kathy Baylis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I’d steer clear of that meter too. Like about a mile clear. (Shudder.)

biljanamalesevic avatar
isabellakelso avatar
Isabella Kelso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The rarity of coming across one of hells angels (aka that spider lol) is rare... you really don't need to worry if you're not going too far into bushland-type area... I should know, I live there lol.

Load More Replies...
keisha_washington avatar
Keisha Washington
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We couldn't access your meter because a Massive spider was attached to the box so I burned your house down

margaretmc2018 avatar
Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why Australia is #1 on my list of places I'll never go.

daltonandrade avatar
Dalton Andrade
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By the way, are those the giant spider babies? Please, call the pest control as fast as you can... If I'm correct I've seen this article at DailyMail but I didn't find it.

firstlastother124 avatar
knittin' kitten
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if you should have poked it with a stick ( I feel this is a reference only I'm going to understand but I think it's funny)

lisachambers2018 avatar
Lisa Chambers
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Legit question...are you expected to remove the spider so they can get the reading, leave out food so said spiders leaves the area, or take the meter reading yourself?

luyendao avatar
Lu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Australia - i remember a near death experience, this one was vicious., unrelenting. Glad we didn't meet for a second date.

shopgirl_ny2010 avatar
Kelly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Italy they do not need to have access to it, there is telemanagement and it is automatic.

billybeecham avatar
Billy Beecham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

call me gullible but that sounds like perfectly reasonable excuse

miniarmour42 avatar
miniarmour 42
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first i was like yeah whatever 'red fangs' and then i saw meanwhile in Australia then i was like oh f**k!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The first account of the "Meanwhile in" meme appeared sometime in February 2010. A flipped image of a Holden Commodore (a very common Australian-made sedan) with the caption "Meanwhile in Australia" appeared on 4chan via /b/ board. The image alluded to the age-old joke that everything in Australia is "upside-down" (due to its southern hemisphere location), and the new meme quickly went viral across imageboard sites, blog networks and aggregator services. Since then, multiple variations with other countries and their stereotypes have been posted.

#3

Meanwhile In Canada

Meanwhile In Canada

fngrtps Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariazotova avatar
Daria Z
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've only once seen a man in a women's bathroom, and that man was peeking in my stall from above. Well, I wasn't inclined to be as understanding as this ad tells me to :/

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Before there was the internet and memes there were books. This meme originates from a much older expression "Meanwhile, back at the X," a plot transition technique that is as old as Homer. It rose to popularity in the nineteenth century, when most novels were serialized in popular magazines. 

ADVERTISEMENT

This literary strategy made its way to film and was used in silent movies when transitions were achieved through title cards interspersed between scenes. In the earliest days, studios didn’t make custom cards for each new movie, but instead used a set of stock cards: “One Year Later,” “Comes the Dawn,” and most famously “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch” were the cards used when the action cutaway. 

#7

Meanwhile In Japan

Meanwhile In Japan

NojayGames Report

Add photo comments
POST
troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is in Nara, Japan, where the deer are treated as fellow citizens.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Radio programs took on the phrase as well for their popular Western programs - such as The Lone Ranger. "During the course of a battle between settlers and Indians or cowboys and outlaws, there would be a flashback to the ranch preceded by the caption (or radio message), “Meanwhile, back at the ranch.” The phrase became part of the common lexicon and was used in casual conversation. During Lyndon Johnson’s presidency (1963–69), according to William Safire, the phrase was used to refer to activities at the LBJ Ranch in Texas.

ADVERTISEMENT

While not everyone knows the origin, this phrase has evolved to take on a meaning all its own. According to Robert Hendrickson, author of the "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" (Facts on Files, New York, 1997) says: "meanwhile, back at the ranch. An expression that originated as a movie caption in the silent film era at the beginning of the century, these words are used humorously today when someone wants to get back to a story after going off on a tangent."

#10

Meanwhile In Texas

Meanwhile In Texas

Just moved to Texas. Fitting in perfectly

wrigleyirish Report

Add photo comments
POST
ethandreemurrh avatar
engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*in David Attenborough's voice* Here, we are able to witness a wild Honda trying to blend in with his bigger cousins. It seems that he is doing quite well.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Meanwhile In Iceland

Meanwhile In Iceland

burningmidnight Report

Add photo comments
POST
els_g avatar
Elsker
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

makes me wonder what this place is, to be mistaken 4 a penis museum so often

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Meanwhile In Canada

Meanwhile In Canada

Hell_hath_no Report

Add photo comments
POST
webmaster_8 avatar
Paul K. Johnson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of Florida. You're sitting at a traffic light dry as a bone with the sun beating down on you and right across the intersection the cars have their wipers on high as buckets of rain is unleashed on them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

Shoooric Report

Add photo comments
POST
eblisaziweiwang avatar
Lil Bare
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Residents better be urinating with precision and elegance upon this very sign of glamour and capitalism

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Meanwhile In Finland, We Really Do Love Our Personal Space

Meanwhile In Finland, We Really Do Love Our Personal Space

Famsys Report

#31

Meanwhile In Canada

Meanwhile In Canada

Zeref-117 Report

Add photo comments
POST
jksimm515 avatar
Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it's not on THAT Street it's on THE OTHER Street. Just go down This Street and turn right on The Other Street and you can't miss it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Meanwhile In USA, While Dogs Nationwide Are Hiding Under Beds

Meanwhile In USA, While Dogs Nationwide Are Hiding Under Beds

Big0Lkitties Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Meanwhile In Poland

Meanwhile In Poland

szyy Report

Add photo comments
POST
janet-burnett88 avatar
Wyndmere
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sisters from the Angels of Mercy Convent requested a car with wings. They got one.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Meanwhile In Australia, High Is The Second Lowest Fire Danger Rating

Meanwhile In Australia, High Is The Second Lowest Fire Danger Rating

Brinq Report

Add photo comments
POST
ceredwynealanta avatar
Ceredwyn Ealanta
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those who are curious about the last one, Catastrophic has this definition: "For your survival, leaving early is the only option. Leave bush fire prone areas the night before." That is, basically, the fire fighters know they cannot control or affect a fire which starts in these conditions. NOTHING they can do will stop it, and if you are still at home, you are risking their lives by being there.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 81 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.