misconceptions and prejudices

[homesick_american 1]

Let's not make the mistake of assuming that European countries don't have corruption problems.

Don't worry - I'm not making that assumption.

Coolies.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Let's not make the mistake of assuming that European countries don't have corruption problems.

Don't worry - I'm not making that assumption.

Coolies.

Indeed. I'm a big fan of pen and paper. For one my Mum is a poll clerk, so I know how counting works and the sort of integrity the people who do it (at least in my home town) have. I trust them, I don't trust a computer.

[~Nini~ 2]

I always get the "where are you from?!" question from strangers when I visit my fiance in the States. They always get a confused look on their face when they hear this tiny Asian girl say, "Vancouver Canada, and you?" More than once I've gotten the "oh, you don't talk with an accent..."

And then they ask about the igloos and polar bears.

[Emancipation 2]

I always get the "where are you from?!" question from strangers when I visit my fiance in the States. They always get a confused look on their face when they hear this tiny Asian girl say, "Vancouver Canada, and you?" More than once I've gotten the "oh, you don't talk with an accent..."

And then they ask about the igloos and polar bears.

Forgot about the accent thing.. people are always saying "but you don't talk with an accent".. when I ask them what that accent is.. they say " aren't all canadians french?"

[nane1104 146]

That's like people asking if not all german girls wear a "Dirndl", just they don't know the term and describe it as " that kind of folk dress..that shows the boobs, they wear it at OKTOBERFEST though!!!!"

So sorry..

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

My cousin just told my aunt that she didn't think my husband spoke english. When he found out I felt both mortified and defensive of my cousin all at once. And yes, she is blonde.

[homesick_american 1]

That's like people asking if not all german girls wear a "Dirndl", just they don't know the term and describe it as " that kind of folk dress..that shows the boobs, they wear it at OKTOBERFEST though!!!!"

So sorry..

I didn't know what it was called either but I don't think that makes me stupid.

Let's not make the mistake of assuming that European countries don't have corruption problems.

Don't worry - I'm not making that assumption.

Coolies.

Indeed. I'm a big fan of pen and paper. For one my Mum is a poll clerk, so I know how counting works and the sort of integrity the people who do it (at least in my home town) have. I trust them, I don't trust a computer.

Right on. I did software quality assurance for 7 years and I don't trust computers either.

[nane1104 146]

That's like people asking if not all german girls wear a "Dirndl", just they don't know the term and describe it as " that kind of folk dress..that shows the boobs, they wear it at OKTOBERFEST though!!!!"

So sorry..

I didn't know what it was called either but I don't think that makes me stupid.

LOL, no. That's a very specific german term and I believe, depending on the region, it even has different names, but that would be the most known. But no, I would not expect anyone to know that. It's just funny when people try to describe it.

[natty bumppo 289]

She gets the "do you speak spanish" with the follow-up "... oh ... they speak portuguese in brazil?"

also my co-workers only thought of bikinis

[nane1104 146]

She gets the "do you speak spanish" with the follow-up "... oh ... they speak portuguese in brazil?"

also my co-workers only thought of bikinis

I like bikinis..

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

What misconceptions and prejudices do you experience from people about your homecountry after you arrived in the US?

I am always amazed how people assume that I must be sooooo happy to be finally in the US, if in reality, the only reason why I am here and wanted to come here is to be with my husband.

I even got asked one time how we communicated while we were apart and when said per email, phone, text messages,...I earned a surprised look, like they couldn't believe we have that kind of technology...in GERMANY??????!!!!

So so sorry. Many Americans are very stupid and ignorant of the rest of the world.

I had a co-worker (he was a pretty smart guy) that thought the streets in Bangkok were still dirt.

[natty bumppo 289]

She gets the "do you speak spanish" with the follow-up "... oh ... they speak portuguese in brazil?"

also my co-workers only thought of bikinis

I like bikinis..

I also love the beaches in Brazil ... and she has taken me to quite a few

the sand dunes at Natal were so cool !!!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

She gets the "do you speak spanish" with the follow-up "... oh ... they speak portuguese in brazil?"

also my co-workers only thought of bikinis

It's hard not to equate bikinis to Brazil

PS... ever see the movie Cidade de Deus (City of God)?

[natty bumppo 289]

She gets the "do you speak spanish" with the follow-up "... oh ... they speak portuguese in brazil?"

also my co-workers only thought of bikinis

It's hard not to equate bikinis to Brazil

PS... ever see the movie Cidade de Deus (City of God)?

Yes

Haven't been to that area ... have seen "candy men" and guns though.

[nane1104 146]

She gets the "do you speak spanish" with the follow-up "... oh ... they speak portuguese in brazil?"

also my co-workers only thought of bikinis

It's hard not to equate bikinis to Brazil

PS... ever see the movie Cidade de Deus (City of God)?

I think there is a difference if you just associate certain things to a country or region or culture of if you make assumptions or generalize like "all xy in xy are or do xy!"

Like you automatically associate the Oktoberfest to Germany and the Eiffeltower to Paris and the Staue of Liberty to the USA...

Edited July 31, 2007 by nane1104