As an American who doesn’t live in the United States, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve introduced myself to someone and heard, “Oh, but you don’t look American!” This is usually said as a compliment, but what it sounds like to me is, “But you don’t fit all of the stereotypes I have in my mind about Americans!”

Every country has stereotypes, and some are probably harmless. So what if Italians are passionate about their cuisine, and the French are passionate about their language? But how accurate are these assumptions that are carried across the globe? Redditors have recently been addressing the most common stereotypes about their nations, so we’ve gathered their thoughts down below. Enjoy learning about the nations below, and keep reading to find a conversation with Momentous Institute’s Clinical Director, Alina Ramirez, Ph.D., LCSW-S!Read More: 30 Country Stereotypes That Got Confirmed Or Denied By People Living There

#1

Irishman here, I’m too drunk to answer this properly

Image credits: The-Joc

#2

I’m English. Yes, we are reserved, yes we do queue in an orderly fashion and yes we will colonise you and add your culinary distinctiveness to our own.

Image credits: Kian-Tremayne

#3

I am from Azerbaijan. And because of the country’s name many think we are a super religious country like Iran, Afghanistan, and etc.
In fact we are not. We are the 5th most secular country in the world and religion doesn’t play a role for us like it does for many other countries. We really arent religious.

Image credits: Upstairs-Fee-7085

#4

As an Italian, yes. Keep in mind that most stereotypes about Italy are actually about South Italy. But we do eat pasta and pizza like every day and we do say “mamma mia” in every sentence. We can’t help it.

Image credits: Purple_Onion911

#5

Aussie stereotype very true.

Very laid back

Up for a laugh

Always rubbishing each other

Don’t mind a drink

Friendly

Very good at avoiding dangerous animals

Image credits: Browndog888

#6

From NZ
I asked my ex girlfriend this question.
She just looked at me with her curls hanging over her dark brown eyes, her face looking full of confusion.
She didn’t seem to understand what I was asking but she’s always been the quiet one I suppose and not keen on confrontation.
I was getting annoyed at this point but I needed to know.
I asked her again but she turned away from me and screamed
Baaaaaaaaaa!

Image credits: WhosSaidWhatNow

#7

Canadian here. Yes, the stereotypes are true. Sorry.

#8

I’m Portuguese and I’m short, heavy, hairy and love wine, cheese and woman.

#9

I am totally tired of the stereotype that Finns are somehow super alcoholic. Alcohol consumption is in line with similar European countries, and I don’t think it’s really that accepted anymore to drink a lot. Back in the day, this was kind of a game of how much you can drink in one sitting. But, the new generation sees this sort of behavior as hickish. There’s also not much of a culture of constant or daytime drinking. Most jobs require you to be sober during the working day. I’ve seen literally only two people drink during the working day, this was at 4 pm and one of them wasn’t even Finnish to begin with.

Another one is “shy” or “silent”. I think this stems from misunderstanding of Finnish politeness customs. Finns have a very steep gradient in how intensively they interact with total strangers vs. close relations like family or close friends. If they don’t know you, they’re trying to keep out of your way and not bother you with useless small talk, and that’s polite.

Image credits: RRautamaa

#10

The stereotypes about us Americans are exaggerated for sure, but not without merit.

Image credits: JoeCensored

#11

Romanians are not gypsies, gypsies are a minority, and the country it looks and is a lot better than you imagine it to be…just check out some travel vlogs from foreigners.

Image credits: Progenitor_Pilgrim

#12

I’m Danish and I’m miserable. Go figure.

Image credits: hasjloes_i_humlebaek

#13

Nobody sat next to each other, talked, or even smiled to other people during the entire bus trip this morning.

I’m norwegian alright.

#14

Irish

Laid back and friendly: Check

Cripplingly cynical and judgemental: Check

Image credits: Suspicious_Kick9467

#15

Fat American checking in here. I don’t own any guns but pretty much everyone I know does. And as an Austin Tx native. I’m pretty liberal, love music and eat tacos and bbq all the time.

#16

I’m from London and I constantly hear “the land of knives and stabbing”

Is it true? Sort of. Knife crime is definitely a problem but you have a higher chance of witnessing or you yourself being robbed than being stabbed.

The UK having bad food; I disagree. The UK has the best range and quality of ethnic food in Europe. If I want curry, Thai, Mexican, Japanese food, I can probably find a good and close to authentic place in the bigger cities. London especially.

Image credits: ruggpea

#17

People say french (but especially Parisiens) are rude and arrogant or something. I’ve been to other countries and spoke to non-french people and it just seemed like they had much more of a “filter” than french people do so that might explain it.

Image credits: Totallynotatrollguys

#18

I always thought that Germans were really nice. The language sounds harsh, the people aren’t  By nationality, I’m Belgian and Luxembourgish. They each love talking about stereotypes of the other country, so I get to hear about them all the time.  Belgians are apparently dumb and drunk all the time. Dumb? No, but the prime minister singing La Marseillaise instead of the Belgian anthem did not help with that particular stereotype. Drunk? They do love their beer, but to be entirely honest, the Luxembourgish tend to drink a lot more often in my experience. Luxembourgers (the word always cracks me up) are apparently stuck-up, rich and narrow-minded. To be entirely honest, some are are stuck-up and narrow-minded, but it tends to be my generation. They grew up with parents who were able to make a lot of money just because they were in the right country at the right time (and worked for it!). The older generation has been able to get good, well-paying jobs without a the degrees that would be required nowadays. But, they worked hard and they took advantage of Luxembourg’s languages (German, English, French). They tend to have a lot of general knowledge and common sense. The younger generation on the other hand, often seemed to expect to go down the same path as their parents and grandparents, but in a world where degrees are an absolute must. A lot don’t speak the languages (I’ve even met some that only speak Luxembourgish) and lack the common sense and general knowledge that the older generation has. The older generation has raised a very entitled younger generation, who is growing up in a country where the price of life is constantly rising and who will soon not be able to live there anymore. 

Image credits: ChickenHead1450

#19

We Italians are seductive, spend half of our day in front of the mirror, and constantly gesticulate when we talk.

Image credits: Il-cacatore

#20

Americans are an arrogant lot.

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