The Definitive Stereotype Map Of Europe: Most popular Stereotypes about EU nationals
“Europe has what we do not have yet, a sense of the mysterious and inexorable limits of life, a sense, in a word, of tragedy. And we have what they sorely need: a sense of life’s possibilities.”
James Baldwin
Europe has always been full of stereotypes. It is to some extent fun and fascinating to see how the different preconceptions differ from one country to another. French are said to be snob, Brits well mannered, and Germans hardworkers… All these stereotypes and misconceptions don’t learn us much on our European neighbors, as they most of the time tend to be false, but they learn us more on the perceptions and the way we tend to see the others. If not taken seriously, stereotypes show actually that Europeans need to develop an image of their neighbors, the worst would be to have no interest in other nations. The main reasons for this article are partly that we think stereotypes in general are one of the most important things to be aware of, so as to be able to avoid preconceptions. But pay attention not to take them seriously…
Portugal
Lazy and nostalgic people?
A characteristic shared by many Europeans on Southern European countries and which also applies to Portugal is the stereotype of being lazy. This is often referring to the South-Mediterranean clime and cultural habit to make an afternoon nap. Portugal is often associated with sunny weather and beaches, which might as well contribute to its image of laziness and negligence. Food (especially fish) and wine (Porto) are also common instant associations. Fado music often contributes to the stereotype of Portuguese being sad or nostalgic. The Portuguese language even has a word, “saudade”, which doesn’t translate into English. It roughly means “nostalgia” or “homesickness”.
Spain
Fiesta, siesta and macho men?
Europe seems to have a clear image of what the Spaniards look like: “a nation high on fiestas, with stunning women who can’t go to the bullfight dressed in miniskirts lest their boyfriends and husbands (who are so macho) have a fit. And then there’s the siestas in the afternoon, and the partying at night” (The Guardian). Elsewhere, Spanish people are said to be loud and lazy with a passionate character. According to the journalist Carmen Morán, “The sun, the beach, fiesta, noise: these were the goods Spain exchanged abroad, through tourism, to staunch its economic wounds”
France
Snob, strikers and good lovers?
There is first this worldwide image of French people wearing berets while riding bicycles with baskets full of baguettes. This funny stereotype appears to be false, as no French people will wear those berets anymore. Other stereotypes describe French people as arrogant and rude. Some historians tend to say that this is the result of an international policy of non-alignment after the Second World War instituted by De Gaulle, which has been sometimes regarded as arrogant. Among other stereotypes, we found the French lacking of hygiene, and the French always on strike (a tradition, nonetheless, that’s largely disproved by statistics on the weakness of French trades unions). Last, there is the cliché of French being world’s greatest lovers.
Iceland
Never on time beauties?
One of the main stereotype about Iceland is related to its size : Iceland has a very small population, a total of 320 thousand people. Therefore it is said that ‘everyone knows everyone’ or that “everyone is related to everyone’. Another cliché is related to the beauty of the people there. Iceland is home to the world’s strongest men and the world’s most beautiful women used to be a popular catchphrase amongst Icelanders. Others observe that Icelandic people are never able to show up on time and always leave major decisions, such as where to go on holiday or what to have for dinner, until the last possible moment. According to the Icelandic writer Alda Sigmundsdóttir : “this reluctance to make plans may be exhausting, but it also gives the country a lot of its dynamism. People are flexible and a lot actually gets done at the last minute, which may be one reason why we can recover quickly from economic collapses and natural disasters.”
Ireland
Heavy drinkers and red hair catholics?
The first most quoted stereotype on Ireland is related to the image of a nation of heavy drinkers. The Irish are also considered to be very religious, because of their history and fighting for the emancipation of Catholics. However, statistics show that the number of atheists is increasing in a fast pace. The Irish are also said to be bad tempered, this is actually the result of their fight for autonomy, from the time of the ancient Celts to the fight against England. Last, Irish are sometimes described in stereotypes as gingers. The myth of the Irish red head most likely comes from the popular 1952 movie “The Quiet Man” which starred a fiery Irish red head and a wide array of other inaccurate Irish stereotypes.
United-Kingdom
Class-conscious binge-drinkers?
According to The Guardian, “the European image of the Brit – either pukingly drunk football fan or snooty City gent, both living off past imperial glories, sullenly resenting being in Europe rather than ruling the world – is itself a cliché”. Other common beliefs about Great Britain is that British people are seen as being very polite, proper and sophisticated with a negative tendency towards being stiff, snobbish, unemotional or obsessed with class and status. Stereotypes also include the common assertion that it rains there a lot, the food is bad and is full of red telephone boxes and red double-decker busses, which are common (tourist) attractions. But there are also regional stereotypes about Scottish and Welsh people…
Norway
Rustic and unsophisticated fish-eater or wealthy and enlightened protestants?
As a Scandinavian country, most of the strongest stereotypes about Norwegians come from their Scandinavian neighbours, the Danes and the Swedes. For Scandinavian people, the Norwegian are backwards and a bit dumb. The standard Swedish and Danish image of the Norwegian is that of a rustic, patriotic and unsophisticated fish-eater with lamentable manners and muddy boots, lately supplied with grudging acknowledgement of the Norwegian petroleum wealth. But the rest of Europe does not have the same stereotype of Norwegians. They are described more as wealthy, enlightened, rational and bored Protestants with strong welfare states.
Sweden
Tall, blond, slender and boring people?
The first common European stereotype associated with Swedish people is the one of being very tall, slender, beautiful and blond with blue eyes. The country is also regarded as very progressive, feminist and liberal with good social welfare. On gender equality, Sweden is in particular seen as the country where women can easily make a career and have children. Scandinavian neighbors have also specific stereotypes about Sweden, the classic one being the drunken Swede. In Sweden you have to be 20 years old to buy liquor, for example, which is quite old compared to the age limit of 16 in Denmark (recently changed from 13), so that, many young Swedish people are often traveling to Denmark to buy alcohol and drink a lot. Other stereotypes include the image of being arrogant, unfriendly, a little boring and somewhat racist. Last there is the depression. It is associated with the fact that winters are very cold and dark so that people can’t help becoming depressed.
Finland
Depressed and emotionless vodka drinkers?
Europeans tend to have few stereotypes about Finland. Maybe the most common stereotype about Finnish people is the one depicting them as rude, introverted and emotionless. The most important part of Finnish culture is “Don’t exaggerate”. Many other cultures are more verbal and have small talk, which Finns are not interested in, which is then interpreted as being rude. The normal intonation and phrasing of the Finnish language seems to be sad or rude in many other languages. Some say that Finns sound like they swear all the time. Another picture is the one of Finns being hard vodka-drinkers, with an old-fashioned mustache, bad fashion sense and an abusive wife, who lives in the woods and splits his time between hitting himself with birch branches in the sauna and hunting bears. Others suggest that Finnish people are very depressed, live in their parents’ basement, listen to black metal and play online role-playing games all day. In the best stereotypes, Finnland is regarded as a wealthy and progressive society with great welfare system.
Denmark
Trusting but reserved environmentalists?
There are not so many stereotypes about Danes in Europe, perhaps because it is a small country associated to Scandinavian countries. Danes are said to have a great quality of life, are helpful, very punctual and trusting people. While perhaps a little reserved at first, Danes are regarded as open-minded, easygoing and easily humoured. Elsewhere, however, Danes tend to consider themselves as people always complaining over everything, especially the weather. And as their Scandinavian neighbors, they are said to be hard-drinkers.
Netherlands
Liberal, greedy, gay and stoned cyclist?
The first most common stereotype about Netherlands is considering that all Dutch are tall, have blond hair and blue eyes. This is rather false, but the stereotype remains. Because of the Dutch drug policy legalizing cannabis, Dutch people are also said to be stoned all the time. The Netherlands was also the first country in the world to allow gay marriage in 2001, so that Amsterdam is sometimes seen as the unofficial Europe’s gay capital, and Europeans tend to consider that at least half the Dutch population is gay. Another common feature about Netherlands is that they tend to be greedy, There must be a reason why splitting the bill is called ‘Going Dutch’. It’s true that many Dutch keep a tight watch over their money and men are unlikely to pay for their dates. Last, Europeans consider that Dutch shed keeps at least a dozen bicycles. It is indeed true that they are more bicycles in Netherlands than inhabitants…
Belgium
Fries and beers lovers with messy political system?
Belgian people are the subject of a huge amount of jokes and clichés in Europe, and especially in France and Netherlands, where they share the same languages. Belgians are said to eat fries, mussels, chocolate and waffles at every meal, have beer running through their veins and only read comic books. A common picture about Belgium is also its political system being a mess. The political system is difficult to understand notably because of the constant fight between Flanders and Wallonia or between the Flemish and French Communities. Both Flemish and Wallon parts even tend to have stereotypes about each others : French people are depicted as lazy, monolingual and football fans, whereas Flemish are regarded as hard-workers, bilingual and ambitious. But the funny thing about stereotype about Belgium is that Belgian people play right along, and even feed those stereotypes.
Germany
Car lovers and humourless hardworkers?
Contrary to popular belief, not all German men wander around the place in Lederhosen (leather trousers). But this popular image remains in Europeans’ mind. According to The Guardian, Germans are regarded as hardworking who love their cars more than anything, efficient and disciplined, but also stiff and humourless. The German Journalist Rainer Erlinger agrees: “Of course, Angela Merkel is a bit more stiff and formal than Silvio Berlusconi but it could be the other way around with Mario Monti. Seemingly, Germans don’t think it is a laughing matter when it comes to their politicians – at least not outside of satirical programmes or Carnival. If Germans do have a sense of humour perhaps it has to be clearly noted in the calendar.” Other common stereotype is on the language, seen as harsh and unromantic
Switzerland
Punctual, reserved and individualist people?
Switzerland being in the middle of Europe, there are many stereotypes on Swiss people. A common image depicts Swiss as fairly reserved and not very outgoing. The idea of starting a conversation with a stranger seems to be unnatural, but there are regional variations. Another stereotype depicts Swiss people as obsessed with punctuality. The obsession with punctuality has something to do with watchmaking, which is a traditional industry. But there is also the banking sector which influences Europeans’ image of swiss people, who are accordingly regarded as frugal people. It is true, indeed, that Switzerland manages one third of the world’s offshore funds. Last, some consider Swiss people to be individualists and don’t like getting involved in others’ problems. A common saying is “One washes his dirty laundry in the family.”…
Italy
Football addict and talkative fashionistas?
According to The Guardian, Europeans say Italians are chatterboxes, and bad listeners interested only in the sound of their own voices. It is also said that Italians are good-looking, crazy about fashion, football addicts who never pay taxes. Other common pictures include the image that Italians have an incredible coffee culture, love pizza and pasta with spaghetti and pasta being almost sacred. It is also commonly stated that Italian people often say: “mamma mia!” or “va fan culo!” and that Italian Mamma rule the roost. Who would believe that being true? Last, a funny stereotype, of course false, represents most Italian men as dark-haired, olive-skinned plumbers who spend the working day jumping on turtles, eating mushrooms, and saving princesses…
Austria
Humourless hardworkers in Lederhose?
Austrians’ stereotypes are full of folklore. Europeans often represent Austrian people dressed in a “Dirndl” or in a ”Lederhose”. If, indeed, tourists can discover those traditional clothes in beer fests during summer or on special occasions, it is of course false that Austrians were them all the time. Regarding their national characteristics, Europeans would depict Austrians as rather fair-haired, serious, standoffish, hardworking and lacking in any sense of humour. They would say that most Austrians are into winter sports and pretty well off financially. Another important aspect of the Austrian soul is the priority of domestic life. Austrians love to built, repair, extend, maintain, refurbish or modernise their houses. They also love gardening and spend hours in garden centres. Houses and gardens are important social stages for dinner parties, BBQs or occasionally just staying in and watch TV.
Czech Republic
Pretty women and absinth drinkers?
Europeans do not have much stereotypes about this small central European country. The first image associated with Czech Republic would maybe be that of Skoda, the very well known trademark producing cars. Czech Republic is also famous for being the crystal’s homeland and its Art Nouveau style. What relates to Czech characteristics, Europeans regard Czech women as very beautiful and men all have moustaches. They think that Czech love beers and absinth. They eat dumplings and use their mobile phone a lot. Last some see Czech Republic as a nation of artists, with many Czech writers famous worldwide.
Slovakia
Bad-tempered heavy drinkers?
The most common stereotype associated with Slovakia may not be a stereotype in a truly sense, but Europeans sometimes still tend to thin that Czechoslovakia is still existing as an unique country. Another stereotype is the one of being bad-termpered and easily offended. Their humor is said to be dark and sadistic, albeit a bit slow-witted and dumb. They are however said to be a bit sexist and not friendly to strangers. Slovak people are also often stereotyped to be big drinkers (Borovicka, Slivovica, etc are some common local drinks), and also Slovak girls are often considered very pretty.
Poland
Hard-drinking Catholic zealots?
According to The Guardian, Europeans have few compelling stereotypes about Poland. One of the most significant one is related to religion, with Poles being mostly regarded as convinced Catholics. It can be noted that this stereotype is rather true, as a survey carried out in November 2011 showed that 95% of Poles declare themselves Catholic although only 92% say they believe in God. But according to Adam Leszczynski, a polish journalist, Poles are Catholic but not really bothered by what the church says. Another stereotype is related to alcohol: Poles are depicted as hard drinkers. If it is true that on average Poles drink 13.3 litres of alcohol per citizens per year and are de facto drinking slightly more than Germans (12.8 litres), they however drink almost the same as the English (13.4 litres), and less than the Irish (14.4 litres). This may be a consequence of the rough and turbulent reputation of vodka…
Lithuania
Russian, backward villagers?
Stereotypes about Lithuania are more linked to a lack of knowledge about the country. The most common stereotype would be that for some (ignorant) Europeans, Lithuania is part of Russia. Those people sometimes tend to think that Lithuanians don’t have their own language and have never created or invented anything, which is not surprising, because Lithuania, in the view of many, did not exist before the USSR miraculously fell apart. Then, according to some Lithuanians, among the first stereotyped questions they sometimes get figure the funny “Do you have televisions in Lithuania?”, “How many people live in your village?, “Do you have a horse?” or even the amazing “Can you teach me how to say something in Polish?”. Last, the stereotype applying to many Northern European countries stating that people there drink insane quantities of vodka can also be heard for Lithuania.
Latvia
Six toes, Fish eaters?
Europeans in general do not differentiate that much Latvia from its direct Baltic neighbors, and they consequently don’t have any particular stereotype for Latvians, but Estonians do! And this is all the more funny, be prepared : Estonians have a joke stereotype on Latvians who are said to have… 6 toes ! There is not a precise reason behind this idea, but of course, no one take this stereotype seriously ! Otherwise, Estonians describe Latvia as a historic neighbor and a member of the Baltic countries. They in particular depict Latvia as a land without island and with bad roads. They see Latvians as eating a lot of fish, but consider them just as cousins.
Estonia
Sexy inventers with advanced medial system?
As part of the Baltic countries, Europeans do not have many stereotypes about Estonians. Estonian women are said to be particularly beautiful with blond light hair and their economy is said to be the most advanced among Baltic countries. Latvians and Lithuanians tend to have more stereotypes about Estonia. They depict Estonians as slow, but determined and rational. They are said to be particularly successful in business and especially in IT industry. Latvians are sometimes jealous about their advanced social and medical system, as well as their leisure infrastructures known in particular for their spas. In this respect, they are sometimes perceived as a kind of Scandinavians.
Belarus
Unemotional Soviet potatoes lovers?
Maybe because of its name, or the fact that is geographically and culturally closed to it, Belarus is mostly associated in stereotypes with Russia. Europeans then tend to assume that Belarusians are profoundly cold, unemotioanl and unfriendly. Other stereotypes depict Belarusians as very reserved people kind of like Slavic Scandinavians or maybe kind of like New Englanders. Another one is that they were perenially glorifying their guerilla warfare past against the Nazis. But Europeans also often think that the country is filled with Soviet-era bloc buildings. Given that Belarus is the last remaining dictatorship in Europe, Europeans tend to see Belarusians as prisoners without freedom and entertainments. They are said to eat a lot of potatoes.
Ukraine
Russian speaker and radioactive poor people?
Ukraine is the country with outstanding history and traditions, but not a lot of people who’ve never been in Ukraine know the truth about it. As to the most common stereotype, Ukraine is not part of Russia and Ukrainians do not speak Russian. Ukraine really was a part of Soviet Union, which also included Russia, but since the 24th of August 1991 Ukraine is an independent country. Because of Chernobyl, Ukrainian vegetables and fruits are perceived as dangerous to eat. It is also said that Ukrainians don’t like foreigners, are gloomy and are always quarreling with each other. A common perception is thinking that there is snow all the year in Ukraine. Europeans regard women in Ukraine are beautiful but as crafty. Last, it is said that Ukrainians are in love with salo, which is cured slabs of pork fat. Vodka is also a popular spirit for celebrations and welcoming guests, but some Ukrainians prefer horilka.
Moldova
Wine drinkers and Beautiful poor women?
The stereotype of Moldovans is that they are beautiful, with fair skin and dark hair (although many people also have fair hair too). It is also said that they are poor (often true), Moldovan women are often stereotyped as sex trafficking victims (it does happen) trying to escape from desperate situations with illusions of becoming a dancer, waitress or cleaning girl in a western country. Moldova is also stereotyped as being full of children being raised by grandparents while their parents are off working in other countries. Moldova is also depicted as a hospitable nation linking people with delicious wine, huge fests and dances.
Romania
Roma and vampires speaking Russian?
For many foreigners, Romania is the equivalent of a series of common misconceptions. The first common picture associated with Romania is considering the country as the land of vampires. There are no vampires in Transylvania. Also, there’s nothing creepy about it and people living there don’t have that funny accent you’ve heard in Hollywood films. Another common misperception is thinking that Romanian speak Russian. Romanian is however a Romance language. People were forced to learn Russian during communism but this was not the case since 1990. Than Europeans tend to think that all Romanian are Roma people. But Roma people make up only 2.5% of Romania’s over 22 million people. A surprising number of people seem to think Romanians are the minority. Which is not to say that Roma are not Romanians. And last, a common stereotype is confusing Bucharest, Romania’s capital city, with Budapest which is actually Hungary’s. This is something that many people get wrong.
Hungary
Bad-mannered goulash eaters?
Stereotypes related to Hungary are always peculiar. A sentence often said in East European countries says “If a Hungarian passes through a revolving door right after you he will come out before you”. This means some Hungarians tend to show a pushy, intrusive behavior, especially when abroad. It also means though that people from this country will always find a way to get by often not paying too much attention to good manners and certain unwritten rules. Another stereotype depicts Hungarians as very self-centered people, who do not cooperate easily and have often contradictory opinions. Hungarians are also said to adore Hungarian language : They know it is hard for foreigners to learn, but they appreciate if you try. Try to pronounce Hungarian names correctly. Hungarians are also said to complain a lot and are rather pessimistic when expressing an opinion. Last and most obviously, Hungarians are said to eat goulash all the time…
Slovenia
Bilingual and introverted balkan people?
Slovenes have many neighbors and are consequently subject to many stereotypes. Sometimes perceived as the first former Balkan country which succeeded in integrating the Western way of life and consumer society, Slovenia is a mixture of many European nations and cultures. Slovenes don’t see themselves as Balkans or East Europeans but rather as an alpine nation. In the common stereotypes, Slovenes are described as somewhat jealous and selfish. They are also said to complain a lot, be melancholic and romantic. They’re said to be very disciplined and honest, as well as very introverted and cold like scandinavians but open to foreigners. They’re known to be good at learning languages as most people speak at least 1 or 2 foreign languages. Last they are said to live and stay usually in the same house/apartment from the time they marry till they die. This would explain maybe why they put great effort in making their house and surroundings beautiful, with flowers on windows and a different colour for the walls.
Croatia
Talkative, loud and quarrelsome patriots?
Being part of the Balkan Peninsula, Croatia is often perceived as a talkative and friendly nation, but also loud, rude and sometimes quarrelsome. This stereotype probably comes from the fact that Western European countries have seen them as “barbarians” throughout their history, because they were sometimes falling behind when it comes to following the modern currents. Following Croatians’ fight for independence in 1991, other nations think of them as nationalists and Croats are sometimes perceived as extremely patriotic. However, generally, Croats do not feel superior to other countries, although they may very often tend to express their patriotism more than other European nations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
American lovers white Muslims?
Stereotype is that if Bosnian is tall and blond, he must be a hillbilly. This is actually Bosnian stereotype about Bosnians, and is more like a joke than something anyone really believe in. Some people say that Bosnians leave their shoes outside the door, have an apartment full of artifical flowers and framed prints of waterfalls… All the women have dyed their hair Kool-Aid red in order to look trendy and all the men wear Adidas workout pants. Bosnians are considered by Europeans as White Muslims, who love Americans and Turks. Forty percent of the country’s population is actually Muslim; the rest of the population has Christian and Jewish origins. In Paris, more Muslims live than in the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last Europeans tend to see Bosnia as a country in war, as a reminiscence of the war in Bosnia in the 1990s.
Bulgaria
Macho, misogynistic goat cheese eaters?
Europeans do not have a clear peception of Bulgarians, they are mostly considered to be slavic and orthodox. According to the blogger Marcus Pessoa, “Whilst most men would agree that Bulgarian women have a reputation for being sexy, strangely not many women say similar things about East European men. Somewhat unfairly, this is probably due to the stereotypical Balkan male being portrayed as misogynistic, macho, aggressive, built like a truck, and about as sensitive as the average brick.” and continues “Like many East European men, Bulgarian guys can be possessive and jealous, but they can also be sensitive, good natured, and loyal.” Bulgarians are also said to survive only on tomatoes, cucumber and goat cheese. They are said to have colorful traditions. On the other hand, their direct neighbor, Romanians, stereotype Bulgarians as thieves.
Serbia
Lazy, worklike and superstitious womanizer?
There is a tendency to view Serbs as people with little or no motivation to work in order to improve their living conditions. Besides, preassumptions are made that Serbs lack organisational skills. Europeans still remember the Balkan war in the 1990s and perceive Serbs as warlike. Another preconception is that Serbs have no business sense. Funnily enough, there is still an on-going stereotype describing Serbian men as womanizers. According to a Serbian blogger, certainly, there really is something about mentality and upbringing of some Serbian men that makes them cheat on their girlfriends or wives, but adultery exists everywhere, in every culture, and that not all Serbian men are womanizers. Other stereotype includes the picture of Serbians being superstitious. There is also a picture seeing Serbs as heavy drinkers, which refers to both men and women.
Picture by Deviantart Ana-Marija ©
Macedonia
Greeks’ worst enemy?
This small Balkan country is rather free from stereotypes coming from Western European countries. Macedonia is often associated as a beautiful country and ideal travel destination. Greeks and Bulgarians, on the contrary, tend to stereotype Macedonia, but this is rather political than cultural. Greek concerns over Macedonian expansionist ambitions – over the region of northern Greece also known as Macedonia – are an obvious red herring. Even if we put aside the fact that the tiny Macedonian army could barely make Athens flinch, there is no conceivable future where Macedonia could garner international support to invade an EU member state. Fears over irredentism are a diversionary tactic – the argument here is really about history and symbolism.
Albania
Paprika lovers and Heavy smokers?
Albanian stereotypes that formed amid the creation of an independent Albanian state, and stereotypes that formed as a result of massive immigrations from Albania and Kosovo during the 1980s and ’90s, although they may differ from each other, are still both considered Albanophobic and anti-Albanian by many authors. For some, the Albanians are all thieves, for others, they are all poor people who live with nothing. For their direct Balkan neighbors, Albanians are regarded as patriotic, play soccer like every other sport, and love dancing, whatever the age. They are said to love Croatians, Slovenians and in particular Italy where they feel they know more about Italy than Italians themselves. On the contrary, they are said to dislike Greeks and Serbians. Other stereotypes include the picture that they are very traditional especially with families, they start smoking at a very young age, wear weapons, eat paprika every day and drink a lot of tea. Last, most of them call themselves Muslims but curse on other Muslim countries
Greece
Hairy gay gossipers tight on money?
Following the 2008 crisis, Europeans developed lots of stereotypes on Greeks, especially related to their economic situation. Now the first stereotype that may be mentioned by Europeans on Greeks would be that they are tight on money. Economic problems aside, there used to be even before the crisis a certain number of stereotypes associated to Greeks, the first one may be depicting Greeks as hairy. Greeks may not be more hairy than any other nation, but this is like that with stereotypes, they are vivid and sometimes unexplainable. Other stereotypes depict Greeks as loud, care free, gossipers and smokers. As a heritage of Greek civilization and the presence of a visible gay community in some Greek islands, Greek are also often portrayed as homosexuals. And when it comes to family, Greek people are sometimes described as mamma’s boys and daddy’s girls
Turkey
Macho muslims driving Mercedes?
Europeans tend to have many stereotypes associated with Turkish people, some of them originating back from the Ottoman empire and its relationships towards the rest of Europe. So that the first stereotype associated with Turkey is the misperception of all of the people in Turkey being Muslim with Turkey being ruled by the Sheri’a (the Islamic law) and every women wearing turban on their head. Turkish people are depicted as having big families. They are regarded as primitive and collectivist, uneducated and barbarian. They are said to have a strong patriarchal society, with Turkish women being obliged to listen to their husbands. Turkish men are regarded as macho and sometimes even dangerous people. They are often portrayed as black hair and dark skinned people. They are considered to be good at business, but with a obsession to buy only Mercedes or BMW. They are also said to eat kebab all the time. All these stereotypes are however much influenced by the misperceptions and fear of Turkey joining the EU.
Category: Projects
