Stereotypes that Europeans Live Up To

Everyone hates stereo types, even Americans, but sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. Before making my first trip over the big pond, the only thing I could do was believe the stereotypes of different countries because that was all I knew. Much to my dismay, they aren’t always right… shocking, I know. However, of course, sometimes they are true, and it just becomes something to laugh about with new friends I make. Therefore, I decided it was only necessary to talk about what I have observed with the people I have met!

***disclaimer: these are just observations of people I have met and gotten to know, take all of this with a grain of salt***

Americans love to party.

First, we will start with the American stereotype. As I did my research for this post, I asked all the people I have met what their stereotype for Americans was. The resounding answer was that we love to party, which I can’t say isn’t true. Just as every other stereotype, there are people who don’t match this description, but let me just leave it at this – New Years’ Eve, Mardi Gras, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, and Christmas.

Germans love beer.

This was quite comedic to me because where I am from in Northern Kentucky, we are just a bunch of German Catholics who love to drink beer and have beer fests (in Cincinnati). Of the plethora of German friends I have made and seen in my apartment, I always see them with bottles in their hands in the common room. I even took a trip to Hamburg, Germany, and the case was the same there too!

English love fish and chips and tea time.

When I asked my friends (yes, more than one!) about fish and chips in England, they said that it’s mostly eaten by the beach, and restaurants that make them are found everywhere. Also, they verified that tea time is in fact a real thing every afternoon… wonder if they have drunk with the Queen too?

French are very lax.

Of the stereotypes, this is the one that drives me crazy the most. Before coming, I had heard that French people aren’t very time sensitive and are very chill, but I truly did not understand until I lived in France. Waiters at restaurants take hours before they even take an order. French professors take days to respond. Many students come into class 30 minutes late and think nothing of it. However, this has given me a new perspective because I am so used to the quick lifestyle of America!

Fins are attractive and fit.

Being such a small populated country to enter the Olympics, it’s crazy that they made it in the top 10 countries in all of the world! And the Finnish people I have met don’t shy from the stereotype of being fit – they work out every day and participate in many sports, from cycling to rowing! Additionally, many models worldwide come from Scandinavian countries, and maybe I’m biased, but the Fins I have met are model perfect.

Canadians are nice and polite

Now everyone knows this one… I feel like if I asked anyone in America what their stereotype of Canadians is, they would agree that they are “nice and polite.” I mean, “Sorry, eh?” Now does this stereotype come from personalities of a majority of Canadians, or are they truly just all very polite and kind?

Kiwis are relaxed

As with people from Australia (which I can’t attest to as I haven’t met anyone from Australia), I get the vibe that New Zealanders surf all day and chill all night, maybe with a little bit of rugby thrown in the mix. And the Kiwi that I have met is proof of this stereotype! As someone who worries about every little thing, it is a breath of fresh air to have someone who is just so relaxed, chill, and calm about everything life throws at him.

Obviously, there are many more countries with many more stereotypes, but I wanted to report on the people I’ve met and their own opinions of the stereotypes of their home country! It’s always a fun time when we live up to the stereotypes and expectations of other people, but even funnier when we don’t! Stay tuned for a report on that 😉

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