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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
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.

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

I don't understand why Americans drive such huge cars. I live in America, I lived on a farm, the farm truck is for hauling things when needed then you have you small car for everything else because huge trucks cost a ton of money in gas and they suck to drive around town in. Unless you have live stock then I don't understand why you would ever want one of these money pits.

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

I live in Houston and the one type of truck driver that truly infuriates me are those who shell out 6 figures for a top of the line pickup, only to use it as a status symbol and literally Never. Haul. Anything. They don't want to "scratch the bed" and are by far the biggest a-holes on a road.

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

Don't you know? Everything is bigger in Texas. At least you won't spend a week's salary to fill your gas tank.

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

Why I can never find my car in the parking lot at the mall.

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

Texan here. When I first saw this picture couldn't figure out what was "funny" about it!! My mind is so used to seeing huge vehicles LOL.

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

Hey, look! Someone who likes to spend their money on fun things instead of gas and insurance!

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

Car to truck and SUV, “You make me feel short. — How is the weather up there?”

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

Also in Texas: during heavy rain, the big trucks drive on the right side of the road, clearing off the water and making space on the left side for tiny cars (the left side usually is higher, so less water on it). I love Texas :)

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

Judging by the photos, ya'll have serious parking skills. Parking an F350 super duty dually dead straight is not simple.

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

In West Texas we have tons of oilfield trucks and I hate dodging them in my Fiat

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

I'm reading a lot about money / gas prices here. Ummm... what about nature?

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

We have a prius, just drove from ft worth to san Antonio and back on $20 of gas and all 5 of my family members fit relatively well.

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

What’s gas (regular) going for in the San Antonio area? In Mendocino County in California, the lowest I’ve seen recently is $3.75/gallon.

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

This is a meme not a place to complain how terrible these people are I swear stop being so toxic peole

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

They are trying to compensate for something else trust me I'm texan

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

I drive one, and don't have to compensate for anything! Ever been to Gruene? Yeah, I'm the one who saved it, not the drug dealer taking all the credit. I drive one cause I tow an Rv and a huge work trailer. Need the extra rubber on the road to steer safely when the floods and big winds happen, and to haul them both. I also drive a Honda sedan and a ½ ton Chevrolet

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

And the state with the biggest over compensation issues goes to...

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

Moved to Texas about 2 years ago and I have a Honda Civic! Texans also like big SUVs or crossovers. Yes, the parking spots are wider here - like they used to be everywhere else in the U.S. There's a lot of land here, so Texans can spread out.

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

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. More pavement just makes the whole world hotter.

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

Good grief, what are people driving these killing machines for! The gas they guzzle must be insane.

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

They're actually squirrel squishin' deer smackin' drivin' machines. They're also twelve yards long, two lanes wide, sixty five tons of American pride.

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Jason Hammond
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's notable that the penis size of the small Honda is in much greater in proportion to it's prehistoric cousins.

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

least your gas will cost less and get you further!

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

Hey, at least everybody parked politely in their own spaces!

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

I just moved to a small town from a major city . (Vancouver Canada) trucks trucks eveywhere

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

My small town in SW Georgia, everyone has a huge truck...except me

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

love this, I drive a little Chevy S-10 pick-up, often park between full size pick-ups! in Texas!

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

My rental car and I at DFW airport "arrivals" gate. I never saw my fellow motorists faces, just the tires on the trucks.

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multimochilas
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.

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Ashley Say Whaat?!?
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use to think that was just a fun little saying Texas had, "everything is bigger in Texas", that is until I actually went there the first time. I visited several high schools and such. I was surprised to find that everything really is bigger in Texas! It's true! (The highschools I visited looked like freaking malls!)

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

My high school not only turned out the highest number of National Merit Scholar finalists every year and ranked no less than 5th in the Nation Academically, my senior class had over 3,000 in it. Largest ever graduated on America! Bellaire Proud!

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Fixin'Ta
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're in Austin this is about right -- the land of the Priuses, Teslas, and Ford F350s.

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

Ahh yes the small penis land. Worse yet when you get onto a military base and think you accidentally have found yourself in a truck and mustang dealership

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

Being the sexist you are, you wouldn't understand, but that's ok Minnie-me, Stay in Massachusetts or wherever in tiny brain land you are! We don't need you here!

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

Ivana, because we like big trucks and Nobody Messes with Texans and what we want!

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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

Shoooric Report

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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

Zeref-117 Report

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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.

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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
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.

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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.