The 'France' of Africa? The 'Germany' of Asia?

[DoubleHelix79]

While waiting for DS to finally go to sleep I was wondering whether there are countries outside of Europe that are subject to very similar stereotypes as certain European countries. For example somewhere with a reputation for fashionable, arty people who enjoy good food and drink (France) or for orderly, hardworking people who are perhaps a little dull (Germany). Is there a 'France' of Africa? A 'Germany' of Asia?
(Yes, I am aware that these are just stereotypes. Incidetally I'm German myself but live in the UK)

Beirut, in happier times, was sometimes described as the Paris of the Middle East - is that the kind of thing you mean?

@HardbackWriter

Beirut, in happier times, was sometimes described as the Paris of the Middle East - is that the kind of thing you mean?

Exactly. I'm vaguely aware of Beirut's past reputation as a cosmopolitan, arty place. Do you think there are other similarities?

I'm not sure I understand.

Do you mean are there other regions with stereotypes about their neighbouring countries? Or countries outside of Europe that are stereotyped in the same way as European countries? Or non-European countries that Europeans try to pigeonhole in a Eurocentric way?

Countries outside of Europe that are stereotyped in the same way as European countries - apologies, sleep depriviation is making me even less articulate than usual.

Many years ago, I was told that the (South) Koreans are considered the 'Italians of East Asia' because they are supposedly more outgoing and less reserved than, say, the Japanese.

Not sure how true this is, especially as, having lived in Italy myself, I think the idea that Italians are exuberant and extrovert is something of a myth!

Uruguay is sometimes nicknamed “the Switzerland of South America”. And I don’t think it’s due to the geography.

I'd be surprised if there wasn't.

Buenos Aires is often called the Paris of South America. Similar architecture and some very stylish neighborhoods.

IcedPurple I can see the similarities, DM and I (both Italian) watch a lot of Korean comedies on netflix atm, and we often comment on family scenes that remind us of Italy.

@HardbackWriter

Beirut, in happier times, was sometimes described as the Paris of the Middle East - is that the kind of thing you mean?

Doublehelix, you asked if there are other similarities between Paris and Beirut - IME the Beirutis are way more polite and welcoming than the average Parisian but generally there's still a lot of lingering French cultural and linguistic influence, especially in the Christian Maronite parts of town. And Beiruti women are incredibly stylish. But sadly most of the post-civil war Hariri-influenced architecture has been pretty soulless. It's still one of the most interesting places in the world imo, but it's not Parisian in the way it was pre-1975.

There's a region in Normandy called 'la Suisse Normande' because it's a bit hilly...

A Persian friend once told me that Iran was the 'Italy' of the Middle East.

Pre communist Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s was Paris of the East.

Singapore has been referred Switzerland of Asia as I guess it's small and wealthy. The Swiss have far higher minimum wages though!

@SiobhanSharpe

There's a region in Normandy called 'la Suisse Normande' because it's a bit hilly...

Ah, there's a region of Germany south of Dresden with a few hillocks which is also known as 'the Saxon Switzerland' (Säxische Schweiz). I think it's fairly common as a slightly ironic term for any marginally hilly area where the landscape is otherwise as flat as a pancake.

And Dresden itself used to be known as 'Florence of the North' or 'Florence on the River Elbe'. Sadly the bombing in WWII and subsequent East German architecture put paid to that.

@SiobhanSharpe

There's a region in Normandy called 'la Suisse Normande' because it's a bit hilly...

Pretty much anything hilly has been called "Switzerland" at some point or another. OP being German is no doubt familiar with Saxonian Switzerland. Then there's Siberian Switzerland, to wit, the Altai mountains.

Of course the exact same thing happens to Siberia (temperature) and Venice (bridges/canals).

Then there's the more socioeconomic uses. For instance, Vladivostok as Palermo on the Pacific for the influence of organized crime.

I can't think of any comparisons in the way you mean OP (as in the character of the people).

I guess some other Asian countries like Singapore or Hong Kong might view Malaysians as laid back or lazy similar to how some stereotype the Spanish.

@Kinsters lol I am Singaporean and I definitely don't think Malaysians are lazy! After all they do so many of our service jobs that Singaporeans are too precious to do lol. Malaysians view Singapore/Singaporeans the same way the rest of the country view Londoners- cold, unfriendly and always busy. I think Malaysians are much more friendly and easy going. Singaporeans lead more fast paced and stressful lives but that's mainly the big city mindset. A lot of Malaysians live in smaller towns and cities.

So like Kenya would be like Norwegians? Sporty and outgoing, that kind of thing? I have no clue, but it's an interesting question.

Friend cycled round Africa and he said the Ethiopians were the friendliest and gregarious people. Very extrovert.

Brugues in Belgium is the Venice of the North because of its picturesque canals.

Interesting replies! I like the idea of Kenyans being somewhat similar to Norwegians. I've been to Kenya very briefly and am still slightly traumatised by the traffic.

God, this thread was a bad idea - I miss the ability to travel without it being like a military operation.

Do you mean do countries in other continents have stereotypes attached to them within their own continents? Rather than countires from other continents be compared to a county of Europe

So like Kenya would be like Norwegians? Sporty and outgoing, that kind of thing?

Norwegians may be sporty, but outgoing?

I'd say that in general, they're the most reserved people I've ever met. But then I've never been to Finland.

Oh, ignore my question I read (rather than skimmed the thread) and see you were already asked.

@LavenderAskew

Do you mean do countries in other continents have stereotypes attached to them within their own continents? Rather than countires from other continents be compared to a county of Europe

Both would be interesting, although my initial intention was to find out whether European countries had 'twins' on other continents, with their populations being subject to the same stereotypes. For example an Asian country whose people are seen as organised, hardworking and a little dull (stereotypical 'German' attributes') by people in other Asian countries.

What makes you ask op?