Is it at all acceptable to ascribe certain traits/characteristics to different nations - as in the old chestnut "Germans have no sense of humour"

[emkana]

What do you think?

Are there national traits or are there only individuals?

My Fil was like your dh, always said the same thing about French or Welsh people. Said in that way I find it unacceptable. I don't know if racisim is the right word.

Hmm-well I am not at work,but other than that I guess I might make comments in a light hearted and humourous way.Not in an offensive way I hope.I am WELSH for gods sake,everyone takes the mick out of us.

yes but only around sheep jokes

I think it has to be taken in context. If said in a jokey 'I don't really think I'm superior but what they are saying/doing is funny to me and seems very common amongst that particular nationality' way then I think that's ok (eg wearing sandals over socks)

The problem comes when people say such things in a serious way and put down an entire nationality as being lazy or stupid. IME, it's usually lazy/stupid people who say this.

....erm, plainly this old ad is both unfunny and racist.

Its makers should be ashamed.

....in fact, I think I should watch it a few more times in order to hone my outrage.

I think we use the term racism far too often TBH. And by doing so we actually dumb down our reaction to what really is racist.

Italians are warm and live to eat,swedes are in fact not sex-obsessed but rather cultured and sophisticated,Irish women can drink vast quantities and still hold a conversation,americans are ruled by hygiene and over-groomed.I will think on..

I don't know, but I hope you're all saying tray and not traits or I'm reporting this to pedants' corner.

americans sue everyone and love a drive thru

whoever thinks the germans have no sense of humour has never met the Swiss.

at CBL advert!

i remember the ad well, and don't think it is racist , just a joke about the sunbeds which if you have ever been on hols, no matter what time you get up, the towel are always on them!

Disclaimer: watched it with the sound off so may have missed something if you foundit offensive.

retiredgoth - let us know how many times we need to watch that to hone our outrage.

iwoulddodrwho - I'm very much afraid I might well be reportable. Are you sure there isn't a north/south divide over things like that?

pmsl kewkumber

bosch - are you a northern git?

poopscoop, I think RG was taking the piss!

oh soz myred- it is late and am not on top form!

....I have watched four times thus far, still my outrage remains unhoned.

...anyway. It's a good job WW2 didn't go to penalties.

poopscoop - it would appear so.

I claim the right to 'lending stuff off of people' as a natural born northern. It is grammatically correct up here...

I've always thought that racism is unacceptable, but xenophobia is fine.

The British and the French, or the Germans, are parallel nations, so it's OK to take the piss.

But because our Empire exploited certain races, that is not ok.

Context is key.

oh the lot that leave their front doors open for anyone else to walk in and put kettle on?

and us lot down south are the most unfriendly part of the country. See it happens here too!

and they are....

come on, you started so you finish!