Whats funny is the main joke part, not the Irish part because I just don't understand Irish being more stupid than other nationalities.
So, have I stumbled upon a false stereotype?
I think so, but I don't know how prevalent that stereotype is. I've never heard it. Are you sure they didn't pull the pin out of stupidity? Maybe it's because they were drinking. Now that joke I would understand!
I think there's something to stereotypes but it's tough to apply in everyday life because they are sooo broad that many people don't fall into them. While I believe stereotypes have something to them, I'd be offended if someone applied a stereotype to me without knowing me. So I try to extend the same courtesy of refraining from applying them to others unless they act or admit to falling into it.
Proof to me that they exist and hold truth is that marketers use them to make money. And they're pretty successful at it. But then again they are targeting masses of people and it's nothing one-on-one. In our daily living situations it's pretty tough to apply them without being personal and offensive.
At the same time, you have to wonder how much of it is self-fulfilling prophesy. How many Irish drink
because they are Irish and that's what's expected of them? With Irish in-laws I hear that excuse all the time. Or how many Italians are attached to their wine and pasta
precisely because that's what's supposedly Italian and they have to show loyalty to their country? You wonder how much of it is about indoctrinated culture. If an Italian by blood were raised in England and didn't know they were Italian, would they still have a taste for the Mediterranean or would they be all about the shepherd's pie and proper formalities?
Topic: Stereotypes (Read 3538 times)