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)

@KeepJamMaking

What makes you ask op?

Not sure how I thought of it actually. Probably a combination of feeling a bit cooped up at home and browsing travel related news articles.

But why interested in stereotypes?

Ganvié in Benin is described as the Venice of Africa. It’s a village built on stilts in a lake. Venice it’s not.

@KeepJamMaking

But why interested in stereotypes?

No particular reason, although I guess I find them interesting because they are often as much about the culture doing the stereotyping as about the culture being stereotyped and can therefore tell you a bit about the dynamics between different countries, cultures and regions. I am very mindful of the fact that they are an oversimplification, reducing complex cultures to a small set of exaggerated traits.

As a German I do object against being called dull :-)

@reluctantbrit

As a German I do object against being called dull :-)

Me too, fellow expat :-) I also definitely look back a lot more fondly on good old Deutschland now I no longer live there.

As a German I do object against being called dull :-)
I'm a supposedly a stingey Scot- I don't think it bothers me and there is also a grain of truth in most of these sayings.

Of course humans are tribal

Then in countries it’s regional too

My Asian family think all people from Bangladesh are great businesses people (but you have to be wary about going into business with them)

Going Nigerian I often hear form African colleagues

You don’t want to get on the wrong side of people from Ukrainian

Argentinians think they are better than anyone else (I think a similar position to the British)