4 cultural stereotypes that have gone too far

Your Canadian accent is all wrong.

Mar 03, 2016
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Most of us know that not everything we hear about other cultures is true—but which stereotypes hold true, and which are merely rumors?

To answer this question, Soleil_Noir asked Redditors, "How has your culture been misunderstood and misrepresented?"

Here are four responses from people who feel the rest of the world just doesn't get them:

1. Scots don't always wear kilts

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"We don't run around in kilts, we aren't all ginger, we don't run around shouting about our freedom, we don't live in clans, [and] we don't deep fry everything," Deleriumdreamer wrote to clear up some common Scottish stereotypes.

There was some dispute over the claim "we don't deep fry everything," however. 

"I am currently eating a deep-fried roll with chips. Yup, Edinburgh," Redditor Yanto5 wrote.

"Yes, we don't deep fry everything. Just most things, pizza crunch anyone?" joked Kev_gray, referring to the country's custom of deep-frying pizza.

2. The Dutch aren't obsessed with weed and prostitutes

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Weed may be legal in the Netherlands, but that doesn't mean everyone is smoking all the time—and the same goes with sex work. 

"The Dutch don't really smoke that much weed. It's mostly the tourists," Redditor Dragneel said.

LaoBa added, "Also, visiting prostitutes is a great social taboo, here, never mind it being legal."

Redditor Deathleach explained in more detail: "Our reputation for tolerance mostly comes from the fact we're indifferent, but not accepting. You can do whatever you want as long as you don't bother me with it. Smoking weed at home is okay. Smoking weed in the streets is not okay. This goes for most other things."

So if you vacation in Amsterdam and come across weed and sex workers, don't expect everyone to partake in the debauchery with you. 

3. Germany doesn't harbor Nazis

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Despite the misconception that Germany's past makes it a hotbed for Nazism, the country's history actually makes Nazi allegiances more harshly punished.

"Germany is by a wide margin the least hospitable place for Nazis. Any time a far right demonstration starts up, Die Linke shows up with five times as many people, and they are basically PC Principal," Redditor said Jah_Ith_Ber.

"The country really isn't all Nazis and beer," said raymaehn, provoking additions from other Redditors including, "sausages and sprout, too" and "wine, too."

4. Canadians don't say 'eh' all the time

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Redditor Lennon1230, a Canadian living in the U.S., wanted to clear up some misconceptions about their country's speech habits.

"I don't have beady eyes or a flappy head, I don't say 'ay' at the end of my sentences, nor do I say aboot (nor does any Canadian I've ever met, it's not strictly the 'oot' sound, it's more rounded, almost like you're pronouncing the 'u' in it way too much, kinda like 'a-bow-oot' but said quickly)."

Another Redditor confirmed: "When I visited my family in Ontario, they say 'eh' very occasionally. The first time I heard it was: 'Pass the milk, eh.'"

Several self-identified Canadians confirmed that Americans say "aboot" when imitating Canadians. "I have heard a lot of east coasters do the 'oot.' It's pretty hilarious," said HotNikkels_.

So, if you've been making fun of Canadians' speech habits—or any of the preconceived notions on this list—the joke may actually be on you. 

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