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I can bet, whoever you are, there must be at least one stereotype about you that you refuse its accuracy. A Russian friend of mine would be very angry every time anybody asked him about communism in Russia. My Muslim friends have had enough with
Muslim-terrorist-Bin Laden jokes. And as a Thai female, prostitution issue irritates me most.
Even with right stereotypes, leave rooms for exceptions. Your Japanese partner might have grown up in a Western country and prefer hand shaking to bowing. Thai food is tasty, but it does not mean all Thais are good cooks. There are times Germans have fun, as well as there are times Brazilians get serious. I know a Mr. Singh who teaches Theology in a Catholic school, and I am married to a Filipino who cannot sing!
Stereotyping is just for your estimation and planning. If you use it wrongly, if you judge people by stereotypes, you may find yourself having already offended many important people in your life.
Nucha Aquino is a Work-At-Home-Mom with a wide International background. She currently teaches International Business and Management in a Graduate School in Laguna, Philippines. When the baby is asleep and there is no class, she writes about her International experiences and publishes 2 ezines: Small-World Ezine at http://small-world.netfirms.com , and eLaguna's eBiz Tips at http://eLaguna.net/newsletter.htm .
