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

It's probably the one over there near that stuff with those things.

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Wyndmere
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just west of Joanne, Washington, USA there is a creek with a walking path on each side. Their names... “By the Way”, “Up the Creek”, and “Down the Lane”.

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Jacey Brenda King
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in Idaho and there actually was a street called "My Way" and it was right off of the highway so LITERALLY it was "My Way or the Highway."

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Max L.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I had one of those maps in high school some time ago.

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

Maybe not used because it isn't grammatically correct? Canadians seem like the "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well" types

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

Omg. This is in my home province and I had no idea...

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

this might as well be Queens, NY. I'm confused as to where to go.

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

My companion said this is in a place called “This Land”...

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

Please tell your companion that these are located in Porter’s Lake, Nova Scotia.

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

yeah you take this st then go to that st just don't take that other st.

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

No one is pointing out that formal font on "Search". Kinda unnecessary if you ask me.

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

This could easily turn into a 'who's on first' situation.

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

Who cares about street names... the SEARCH font is awesome :D

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KMB
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4 years ago

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Only in Canada would you see something that stupid!

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