National archetypes

[Iris]

People over here think that:
- the English are too serious and reserved.
-Mexicans have a nap every day.
-Americans work too hard.
-The French are the most chauvinistic people in the world.
And many more.
What do people say about other nationalities in the States? ( what some of my American friends say about the Spanish is not that flattering...)

[poli]

Originally Posted by Iris

People over here think that:
- the English are too serious and reserved.
-Mexicans have a nap every day.
-Americans work too hard.
-The French are the most chauvinistic people in the world.
And many more.
What do people say about other nationalities in the States? ( what some of my American friends say about the Spanish is not that flattering...)

You always ask questions that are fun to answer. I'm sure you know that
generalities are often wrong. Individuals are what really count, and they
often defy stereotypes.

Mexicans-Quiet and industrious and humble. The old stereotype of the
caballero in the big sombrero sleeping by the cactus plants
is old but sometimes comes into play.
English- Depending on their class, they can be terrible snobs or really nice
blokes. Americans tend to have a lot of respect and
admiration for all things English. I think the British
education system may be better than ours.
French- Our oldest allies. Americans hate them. We think they are
worse snobs than the English, but like the English, we are
somewhat awestruck by the language, culture and attitude.
I like France and French people.
German- Industruous, cold, fearsome
Italians- Fun-loving, generous, nice, but unscrupulous
Spanish- There are so few Spanish people in the USA, may people don't
have a stereotype set. What most Americans think of when
they think of Spain is an Andalucian fantasy... tropical moorish
place where people dance flamenco and drink sangria all the
time and eat paella (which you and I know is not very
Andalucian.)
In New York there are a big variety of Latin Americans.
Some Latin Americans have distrust and aversion for Spain
especially countries that had great civilizations prior to the
conquest.
As an American who has spent some time in Spain, I see Span-
ish people as generally reserved, professional, honest but
not terribly warm, but big party goers on the weekends

[Iris]

Thanks for your lovely answer.

[poli]

Do you think that Europeans generally see Americans as fat loud and stupid?

[Iris]

And wearing a Hawaiian shirt?
Not when we think of George Clooney, for sure.

[poli]

I myself am more of a George Clooney typeespecially when dressed in shorts, carrying a huge camera around my neck, dissatisfied that the Madrid hotel doesn't have a pool like in Cancun. Then, I ask where I can get a good pina colada, and they have the nerve to give me a funny look!

[Iris]

Looking forward to meet you next time you are in Madrid If you are anything like George Clooney I will not let you go back to the States...

[poli]

Perhaps I've inadvertantly built myself up a bit. I fear I look more like Tony Shaloub (Monk) than George (ER) with or without a huge camera around my neck and a nasty attitude.

[Jane]

Originally Posted by poli

I myself am more of a George Clooney typeespecially when dressed in shorts, carrying a huge camera around my neck, dissatisfied that the Madrid hotel doesn't have a pool like in Cancun. Then, I ask where I can get a good pina colada, and they have the nerve to give me a funny look!

lol.
That´s Madrileños for you... with the funny look.

Looking forward to meet you next time you are in Madrid If you are anything like George Clooney I will not let you go back to the States...

You better believe it, Poli, she´s a lady of her words.
Besides being the official pelota of this forum.

[Iris]

And the official flirt...