Ethnic and racial stereotyping

[Magical Realist]

People operate on group profiles and stereotypes. They appear to have a limited function in helping us live our lives. But many others seem downright mean-spirited and divisive. For instance, among Americans there is the view that the English generally have bad teeth. One sees this stereotype on SNL and in the Austin Powers movies. Is it true? Why would it be? Do English people have no access to good dental care? What of other stereotypes? That Americans are egotistical, brash, and uncultivated? That white guys smell like wet dogs? That black men are hypersexual and impulsive? That Asians are all introverted and good at math? Others?

 

[paddoboy]

Some people do have bad teeth.....other people are certainly brash and egotistical....some people are certainly hypersexual and impulsive, and others do smell like wet dogs.
I have met them all without any indication of group stereotyping or similar.:shrug:

 

[iceaura]

For instance, among Americans there is the view that the English generally have bad teeth. One sees this stereotype on SNL and in the Austin Powers movies. Is it true?

No. That one's been checked. It's apparently an illusion created by the often photographed upper class people in the US, who have extraordinary teeth and spare no expense keeping them that way, being the majority of the tourists in England and Ireland and related places, where the places to visit are often in areas of poverty.