What do people think about your country or culture that just isn't true or is inaccurate?

[NwaNaija]

I read a funny thread somewhere else on the myths/misconceptions about different countries. What are yours?

We're loud - Ok, Ok yes we are, especially when on the phone. This one's not a myth but not everyone is.

We all speak one language and understand each other - No we don't.

Always interesting to read about how much Italians love children . As someone upthread commented, people in hospitality are paid to grin like loons at poorly-behaved (Brit) kids. People also do not live the Dolmio advert with a moustachioed nonna permanently stirring a big pan of pasta sauce.

The British talk about the weather constantly and very dull things like boilers. No-one in any other country talks about boilers.

The Scottish and Irish are amazing story tellers, huge gift of language.

North Americans are sporty and wear GAP clothes, have big houses and big coffees and big juices and big cars, no-one can drive anything smaller than an SUV. British people drink a lot and have tiny houses with mismatched furniture and everything squished in.

The US stuff on MN is peculiar. Even if someone moots going to Disneyworld on a travel thread, in charge posters declaring that they would never visit the US because of guns/the food/fundamental Christians etc etc.

Agree almost as irritating is someone who has been on a two-week fly drive around California and is a thorough expert on the whole country and it’s people.

Its people. I must find out how to kill this predictive text - it won’t leave my posts “unimproved”

That we're tight with money.

That's so interesting to know ,I really thought you had to have a professional job in the US to get medical insurance with it, much like here in UK

@IrmaFayLear Always interesting to read about how much Italians love children hmm . As someone upthread commented, people in hospitality are paid to grin like loons at poorly-behaved (Brit) kids. People also do not live the Dolmio advert with a moustachioed nonna permanently stirring a big pan of pasta sauce.

Not that I have ever bought into any of these stereotypes, but what you say echoes my experiences of travelling with kids.

In Spain (especially) and in other places like Croatia and India, kids always got loads of attention and helpful stuff done without asking (e.g. bringing free cups of milk when they were toddlers, being understanding if something was dropped etc.)

In Italy (as well as France) they were definitely seen as more of a nuisance than a pleasure!

(they are not loud or obnoxious and know how to speak the basics of the language and behave properly in restaurants, etc.)

One of my best friends is American. Before she came to the UK, she honestly believed the horrible British teeth thing and thought that we didn't have orthodontists here

Yes to this.

Another thing I see frequently is Americans insisting we pay massive taxes to fund the NHS. It’s definitely true because someone knew a british person once. I’ve seen anything from 60%-80% tax. They won’t have it that tax is 20% unless you’re a high earner. That’s why many seem to resist socialised medicine. That and they also still seem to think we have co-pay, the NHS just funds the insurance part.

A few years ago on holiday in Menorca and an English woman asked me where we came from. When I told her North East Scotland (large city, well known oil capital) she was genuinely surprised how we managed to get there! Flights?

Not sure if this is the sort of thing you mean, but I was born in the US. When we were moving to England, our friend thought the English rode around on horses and carriages.

It was the 90s.

To be fair, she was only 10.

The most common misconception I have heard about being British is that we don’t like being British.

That was a bit confusing. I mean that we don’t like being from Britain, not that we all want to be known as British rather than Scottish, English or Welsh.

I suppose what this thread illustrates is that it's never, ever safe to make sweeping statements. However even if you work12 hours a week at places like Starbucks they give you free platinum coated private medical is absolutely not the experience of Americans I know, just as total inability to access medical care without either private insurance or utter destitution clearly isn't the reality for many either.

I reckon international knowledge and U.K. knowledge about the workings and culture of the USA are probably more accurate than they are for any other country in the world.

No, we don’t have an anthropological level knowledge of the US but compared to knowledge of Poland, Taiwan, Argentina or Iran, I reckon we’re doing pretty well at knowing about life in the US.

That britain’s benefits system will provide anyone who moves here with a house and a generous income.

@unmarkedbythat

I suppose what this thread illustrates is that it's never, ever safe to make sweeping statements. However even if you work12 hours a week at places like Starbucks they give you free platinum coated private medical is absolutely not the experience of Americans I know, just as total inability to access medical care without either private insurance or utter destitution clearly isn't the reality for many either.

Actually it's true I missed the word 'free' in there, it's not free of course. But by American standards it's very reasonably priced for good coverage.

The broader point is that it's not completely true that if you have no money in the US you cannot get healthcare. There are serious gaps but it's more complicated than that. Actually the gaps are similar to what you see in the UK in terms of benefits -- people who earn too much for government help but not enough to pay their bills, disadvantaged communities with not enough services and structural racism issues, self-employed people, etc.

On the other side, I've seen Americans shocked that there are any poor people in the UK because they think the government showers everyone with cash all the time!

The language is ugly and we are angry and shouting all the time. And that everything is efficient and punctual - sadly not true, especially the trains!

@Firstbellini

I reckon international knowledge and U.K. knowledge about the workings and culture of the USA are probably more accurate than they are for any other country in the world.

No, we don’t have an anthropological level knowledge of the US but compared to knowledge of Poland, Taiwan, Argentina or Iran, I reckon we’re doing pretty well at knowing about life in the US.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

@NwaNaija I've got to know 2 Nigerians -my cousin's husband & a colleague.
I didn't know anything about their culture but I'm learning quite a lot through them.

I like meeting people from other places as I find it interesting & I haven't had a lot of chance to travel myself.

I'm from Dorset & I've been told by Londoners that I sound like the Caramel Bunny!! I wasn't aware of my accent before!

Italian here. Everyone always comments on the beautiful weather in my country. Well, not everywhere. I am from a northern region, far from the seaside, temperatures are often below zero in winter, icy roads, a lot of fog, summers are unbearably hot, humid and mosquitos eat you alive if you try and eat alfresco!

I'm from Yorkshire and I'm sick of the joke about being a tight arsed penny pincher.

@user1471523870 Funny you mentioned mosquitoes eating you alive. Mosquitoes in Nigeria are landlords/landladies and pay taxes. You don't argue with them. They bite you and take your lunch money too. So Malaria is rife, that one's not a myth but like other illnesses in other countries, there's a solution to it.

The misconception is that there's no cure and people are dying left right and center due to malaria but having malaria is as much a non-issue as having the flu here or even a cold. You just take malaria medicine and you'll be fine in a day or 3 at the most. Other health issues may make the malaria's effect on an individual worse but it isn't necessarily the malaria itself. Lack of access to medicine for those in need is also what causes fatality.

Also mosquito nets, like mesh nets/curtains/windows and screen doors are what people use in their homes to avoid being bitten.

In France I was asked if I like roast beef and I replied that I never, ever eat it as I just don't like it at all. He was very surprised as our (Brits) nickname is 'les ros bifs'

@Tehmina23 I love Caramel bunny! If you sound like that, I'd need some voice recordings to soothe me to sleep please and thank you.

People often mistake Nigerians for being showy and constantly harping on about their country. Even on here, I'm very sure a lot of people roll their eyes at yet another mention of Nigeria but we can't help it and I'm not even sorry. We love to share our different cultures and anyone who shows an interest and wants to be involved, learn or integrate is welcome with open arms regardless of who they are. We like people who like us and pay no mind to those who don't. A typical Nigerian believes life is too short to worry about those who don't care about you - we find ways to be happy, regardless.

In the same vein, we love to learn and share other people's culture and make no apologies for that either.

Sorry, I've rambled on now What I'm trying to say is learning about people's culture is interesting and a good thing. I'm glad you're all exchanging information (Bear in mind, we may not have the same specific Nigerian culture if we're from different ethnic groups).