Five
most absurd stereotypes about people, that actually have reasons
There are stereotypes and then there are stereotypes. Using
stereotypes is considered as politically incorrect and inherently wrong by today's standards. But still, we all
have used them, go on, feel free to admit it, no one's judging here. Though many of them are untrue and
rather baseless, here is a list of five stereotypes that I believe are actually based on reality.
5.
Indians stink
This is one of the most frequently touted stereotypes I've ever heard
or seen. All white people think it, even if
they don't say it, Indians stink!
Nice odourant!
But as it turns out, this stereotype can be partially explained by
science and poor hygiene conditions. According to scientists, the type of food a person eats can influence
the 'odor' produced by that person's sweat glands. Indians usually use lots of garlic and other such foul
smelling ingredients in their food, which leads to bad breath and bad body odor. Also, the humid
conditions in India result in more active sweat glands. Add to this the fact that the conditions there sometimes
do not even allow people to have daily baths! All of this together gives the Indians their stink. So if
you visit India, your nose is in for a clusterfuck
of ungodly smells... Just kidding, your nose will get used to the stench soon.
4.
Chinese people can't drive
Here is another one from the Asian subcontinent. It's quite ironic
that the people from the country that produces the largest number of automobiles per year are called bad
drivers. This stereotype however has quite a
complex explanation.
The origin of this stereotype was the fact that when Nixon relaxed the
immigration laws and the Chinese started to invade (oops, wrong word) America, almost all of them had
never even sat in a car, let alone driven one. Americans on the other hand, grew up in cars, going on
vacations, to drive-through cinemas and usually the art of driving was passed down from father to son.
Compare this with people who were just getting their heads around the fact that they could own cars, and
you see why the stereotype was formed.
Nowadays, with everyone owning cars, this stereotype is becoming less true.
Not quickly enough though!
3.
Jews are greedy
This is a tricky one. This is one of the oldest known stereotypes,
which came into existence thanks to old William Shakespeare, with his work, 'The Merchant Of Venice'. This
story even gave a semi-official word to the
English language, "Shylock", meaning a greedy miser.
Pictured: Shylock, asking for the interest on the money he lent to his wife! Oy Vey!
Modern days Jews though, are unfairly considered to be all Shylock's
descendants. Actually, Jews have often been stereotyped as greedy and money-mad. This belief has its
roots in the Middle Ages, when the Church had forbidden Christians to lend money while charging
interest. Jews were legally restricted to occupations as usurers, usually to Christians, and thus many went
into money-lending. This led to the association
of Jews with greedy practices.
2.
Russians drink vodka instead of water
Well comrade, contrary to popular belief, Vodka was not invented in
Russia. It was not until 1398,
when the Genovese began
shipping Vodka to Lithuania that Vodka made its
appearance in Russia. And it was not until the middle 1400s that Vodka distillation began in Russia,
and then except for a short 30 year blip, Russia has had a monopoly over Vodka for 400 years! Over this
period, it has played a vital role in Russian culture (seriously, they have a frikkin' Vodka museum),
economy and has destroyed countless
families
through alcoholism and abuse.
Even though nowadays the Russians have diversified and started
indulging in other forms of drinks, the Vodka will
always have a special place in their livers.
1. Africans
are well endowed
You knew this one was coming. This is one stereotype which every man
secretly wishes were associated with his culture. It has been mentioned in several books, movies, pop
references and on the net, that African
males are extremely well endowed.
"This is just the size of the tip."
Among women of a certain type *cough* sluts* cough*, there is a
saying, “Once you try
black you never
go back!” So why this discrimination? Actually,
there is anthropological evidence supporting the fact that African males are actually winners in the Schlong
department.
Research about the average dong size has confirmed the stereotype,
with Africans coming out on top, Asians at the bottom and Europeans somewhere in between.
Men from The
Republic of the Congo take top position with an average of 7.1 inches.
