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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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#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
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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
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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
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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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Anni
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My house burnt down in Aus when I was a kid during severe bushfires. Catastrophic it was. The sky had turned red, there was fire all around us, unbelievable wind and smoke and the roads had started melting. We barely made it out alive. There had been an unexpected wind change.

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Magpie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Confirm. This is correct. ( Victorian person here, hello )

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The Cappy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the other hand, there's not a lot of point in having a level lower than "low-moderate). Seems like I've seen similar signs in Colorado.

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Carol Emory
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We used to have a wind meter in a town I lived in that was like this. Same half disc, upside down this a heavy chain. It basically said.."If this chain is horizontal...you need to find a basement and hold on!"

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Freya the Wanderer
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they had to add another wedge it would probably have a PG-13 rated word in it.

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Paul K. Johnson
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe Trump should go over there and gift them with his expert knowledge of rakes. It would be a shame if a crocodile took one for the team and ate him.

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

Read all the comments below; wild bush fires that rage for weeks and blot out the sun while no fire rescue will be coming, raging floods, catastrophic weather = evacuations... found so many more reasons that Australia is still my biggest “nope” country.

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Shull GaRett
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess in case of higher ratings it involves various swarms or packs of deadly or poisonous animals or insects stampeding through towns?

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

Yep this is normal. In winter they will often take the arrow off on less techy signs. We also have burn-off regularily to prevent fires from getting out of control

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

I live in Victoria, Australia. The sign refers to the likelihood of a fire getting out of control. Have had quite a few catastrophic days in the last few years. 45 degrees in the shade and blowing. We have a permanent evac box from Spring on. Basically-pack up and leave for the beach or a major center and hope it doesn't happen.

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Monika Soffronow
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

" Leave bush fire prone areas the night before." OK. This does drive the message in the intended direction. Git out! Now! And, no, you don't even think about what things you want to save, because the only thing you really want to save is your a*s.

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Pseudo Puppy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in theory, yes. The intention behind the warning, is to be really careful about your actions ie no open fires / barbeques etc, no dumping cigarette butts (not that you should anyways), & doing everything possible to minimise the chance of a fire having fuel to spread. ie clear gutters & roofs of dry leaves etc, remove dry plant materials from your garden etc. It's about being ready for the possibility of fires, and minimising the chance of enabling fires in your areas. Clearing garden rubbish etc, is really key, as it's the embers flying through the air and catching fire in dry leaves in the garden / gutters, that can truly cause unnecessary devastation. This isn't the "norm" in Australia, ie it doesn't happen daily. However, Aussies to understand what this stuff means, (especially in small towns / outer suburbs of cities), and are quite matter-of-fact about it all.

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Caelan Mack
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no c**t its just Australia not usually fires in the city or local towns but mostly in the outback due to a lot of trees and uncontrolled burn offs have caused pretty bad fires

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