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

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

Daria Z
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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. 

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

Troux
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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.

#8

Meanwhile In Singapore

Meanwhile In Singapore

BalliBumbulius Report

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

engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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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#11

Meanwhile In Sweden

Meanwhile In Sweden

cyan1618 Report

#13

Meanwhile In Iceland

Meanwhile In Iceland

burningmidnight Report

Elsker
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) Created 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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#14

Meanwhile In Japan

Meanwhile In Japan

arbili Report

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

Super-Sayian-Gangham-Style-Yuppie-Salaryman

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#15

Meanwhile In Canada

Meanwhile In Canada

Hell_hath_no Report

Paul K. Johnson
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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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#16

Meanwhile In Australia

Meanwhile In Australia

clitmitten Report

#18

Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

Meanwhile In Russia. Seems Legit

Shoooric Report

Lil Bare
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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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#19

Meanwhile In Texas

Meanwhile In Texas

AlexDFN Report

#25

Meanwhile In Alaska

Meanwhile In Alaska

mntoak Report

Toujin C'Thlu
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone here old enough to remember 'Northern Exposure'?

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See Also on Bored Panda
#27

Meanwhile In Minnesota

Meanwhile In Minnesota

theHamburglersNugget Report

Jody Brown
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is Minnesota's official state Summer Sport.

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#28

Meanwhile In Texas

Meanwhile In Texas

mattthebarbarian Report

Amy Pattie
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, apparently other people in the world find this strange?

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#29

Meanwhile In Korea

Meanwhile In Korea

alekmude Report

Nini Meow
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is a Disney prince.. a bird on his hat and a bun ... Wow

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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

Famsys Report

#31

Meanwhile In Canada

Meanwhile In Canada

Zeref-117 Report

Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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

Big0Lkitties Report

Cat on a bike
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Obviously, cause you know, cats are not animals, they are aliens.👽

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#33

Meanwhile In China (50 Lane Highway Merges Into 4)

Meanwhile In China (50 Lane Highway Merges Into 4)

j4ckmull Report

#34

Meanwhile In Japan

Meanwhile In Japan

aleenamaleena Report

engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you have to fight for honor at 6, but you have to attend bike gang at 5

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#36

Meanwhile In Florida

Meanwhile In Florida

DwightKSchnute Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Meanwhile In Poland

Meanwhile In Poland

szyy Report

Wyndmere
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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

Brinq Report

Ceredwyn Ealanta
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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.