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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!

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

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Daria Z
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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 :/

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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. 

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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

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Troux
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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.

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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.

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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

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engineer_nope.avi
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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.

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#12

Meanwhile In Japan

Meanwhile In Japan

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Lil Bare
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats actually a regular size description over there in the far east. Its not to be taken personally in THAT sense, since there usually is no privacy as in the west. But then again, irregular people be it fat gay or small do get shamed for being different than the crowd by the masses..

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

The scale extends: XF, SF, EF, AE, DA (extra fat, super fat, extremely fat, almost exploded, don't ask).

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

Haaaahahahaha!!! I'm fat and would die laughing in the store!!

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

Asians are more susceptible to heart disease than most other races due to genetics. While someone of African or European heritage may be able to carry 30 extra pounds without much issue, people of Asian heritage are more likely to develop serious health issues. This is because Asians generally have a higher percentage of body fat than other races with the same BMI. They are so if you have four people in a room with a BMI of 25, an Asian is more likely to develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease than the other people in the room because they generally will have a higher amount of fat than the African, European, and South American people in the room. This is why people are shocked about how thin Asians are and their definition of what fat is. Source "Appropriate body-mass Index for Asian Populations and Its Implications for Policy and Intervention Strategies" WHO, The Lancet Vol 363, January 10, 2004.

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

I'm UK size 10 and I once bought a pair of Nike trousers, the very same sticker with size 10 also helpfully informed me that it'd be XXL in Japanese size chart lol

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

have you seen clothing sizes from Japan??? if they have "fat," they def better have "unrealistic" for their tiny small-adult sizes!

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D. Pitbull
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep in mind... in East Asian countries "Fat" is anything above a size 8... good luck. I'm a size 8... in China that means... *ahem* "XXXL" - no. I am not joking.

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Nagawa (Cofa) Kishiki
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are the most polite and modest nation in the world. We just very passive aggressive.

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bi mermaid (she/her/hers)
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom told me that in Taiwan, people are more frank, so don't be offended if someone calls you fat. They call it as they see it, my mom's either to fat or to thin, to tall or to short, etc. I guess it's the same in Japan?🤷‍♀️

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Jaye Rodger
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With only 3.6% of Japanese considered obese, perhaps being honest and not worrying about harmful sensitivities is the way to go...

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Anja Schmidt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

different countries different sizes ... this is what really sucks ... one world, but no unity in measurements ... i don´t adopt depressing words, dear asians XD

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Ashley Wright
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, if that doesn’t get you to the next Weight Watchers meeting.

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D H
Community Member
4 years ago

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D H
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4 years ago

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Cassim Dawjee
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats so hurtful, they should learn to be nice like Canadians

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

It shows they care about their fellow citizens and want them to be lean and healthy.

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#13

Meanwhile In Iceland

Meanwhile In Iceland

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Elsker
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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

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#15

Meanwhile In Canada

Meanwhile In Canada

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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.

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#18

Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

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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

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#30

Meanwhile In Finland, We Really Do Love Our Personal Space

Meanwhile In Finland, We Really Do Love Our Personal Space

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#31

Meanwhile In Canada

Meanwhile In Canada

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Koalamonster
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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.

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#32

Meanwhile In USA, While Dogs Nationwide Are Hiding Under Beds

Meanwhile In USA, While Dogs Nationwide Are Hiding Under Beds

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#38

Meanwhile In Poland

Meanwhile In Poland

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Wyndmere
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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.

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#40

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

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

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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.

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