Stereotyping

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Catlynn

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Okay, I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on this subject.

I've heard from a lot of people, especially Christians, that we shouldn't stereotype. That we should wait to get to know someone and their heart before we put them into any categories.

HOWEVER, I worked in a restaurant in Hawaii for several years and met people from literally all over the world. There was a constant flow of people from other countries, states, ethnic backgrounds, with different cultural lifestyles... everything, all the time. I never thought that stereotypes were true before but as time went on, I began to realize that they're there for a reason.

Not all, of course, but many. There were always a few people a week who would totally surprise me, but for the most part people fit their stereotypes. It was so weird! I still approached everyone as though they may be the one that was going to surprise me because I didn't want to automatically put them into categories and I also didn't let the stereotype, even if it ended up being true, affect the way that *I* treated them. I still respected them, served them and had fun talking to them.

A funny, less serious example would be: Southern people almost always got Ranch or Thousand Island salad dressing and would ask for sweet tea but when I told them that we didn't have it, they'd ask for Coke or Dr. Pepper...but usually Dr. Pepper. lol

Anyways, just wanted to get your thoughts and maybe even experiences with stereotypes.

P.S. The best tippers in the WORLD are from the Northwest United States. ;) Way to go, guys!
 
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Bahahahaha. Seriously - Stereotypes started somewhere and exist for a reason.

A person with dreadlocks? Typically enjoys music, the outdoors and other 'cool' stuff.

I love boxing people. Occasionally they jump out. Anyone want to be boxed? :D



Obviously this doesn't mean that everyone who looks this way is exactly like others. But there are certainly trends.
 
Bahahahaa. *Begins to put Catlynn into the outdoorsy but slightly nerdy box* But how does the cool vibe of dreads go with this... :D Mind you, nerdy is almost cool thesedays.
 
Good point. Nerdy is more trendy than cool I think...but I've already made an entire thread about how much of a geek I am sooo :P
 
Maybe it's like the 'cool' within Christian circles? :D

We had a nerds and jocks night at a conference I went to - a bunch of us played Ultimate Frisbee - so we went dressed in our uniform. Were we nerds or jocks? I still don't know! haha (Ultimate Frisbee is less common in Aust. than the US.)
 
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Definate boxer mentality here .. quiet and reserved try to mind my own business .. Tend to my side of the rink .. it's not till somone "thinks" they need to be over in my corner telling me what I need to do .. And not until I look past their shoulder and see what their side of the rink looks like before I decide if im gonna jab then back over to their corner or respectfully listen to what they have to say .. ,It's then and only then a decision comes . .. even then it's not to harm with a punch .. Or to injur.. It's more like " before you come get in my face about what I need to do different , how about you turn yourself around and clean" your corner first"...then come talk to me .. if they keep on... It's KO time and I ever so gently carry them back over to their corner .. sorry just how I am .. And yes i know this is an area God needs to work on with me :)
 
I don't usually stereotype based on appearance or Ethnicity or Astrological sign.

But people that are from a culture can be expected to act like they are from that culture. Its probably how they were raised and they don't know any better.

I guess that is why traditions for the sake of themselves rub me the wrong way.


And I see a lot stereotypes in the culture that I grew up with. Drink lots of Coffee, hang out at starbucks or Coffee shops, buy a Mac, be a writer, put the fish on the car, Listen to Christian music, Travel, wear khaki, etc.

But just because I was raised to fulfill those stereotypes doesn't mean I have to. I can outgrow the expectations and I can do more than simply fulfill the traditions of my culture.
 
I think I just blew the stereotype "itorethesky" had me in
"little Cindy In the Brady bunch " sigh.. Oh well .. I'm striving for that mark :)
 
Powemm said:
I think I just blew the stereotype "itorethesky" had me in
"little Cindy In the Brady bunch " sigh.. Oh well .. I'm striving for that mark :)
Click to expand...

So what you're saying then, Powemm... is that you're NOT like Cindy... but more like Greg???!!! :D
 
Catlynn said:
Okay, I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on this subject.

I've heard from a lot of people, especially Christians, that we shouldn't stereotype. That we should wait to get to know someone and their heart before we put them into any categories.

HOWEVER, I worked in a restaurant in Hawaii for several years and met people from literally all over the world. There was a constant flow of people from other countries, states, ethnic backgrounds, with different cultural lifestyles... everything, all the time. I never thought that stereotypes were true before but as time went on, I began to realize that they're there for a reason.

Not all, of course, but many. There were always a few people a week who would totally surprise me, but for the most part people fit their stereotypes. It was so weird! I still approached everyone as though they may be the one that was going to surprise me because I didn't want to automatically put them into categories and I also didn't let the stereotype, even if it ended up being true, affect the way that *I* treated them. I still respected them, served them and had fun talking to them.

A funny, less serious example would be: Southern people almost always got Ranch or Thousand Island salad dressing and would ask for sweet tea but when I told them that we didn't have it, they'd ask for Coke or Dr. Pepper...but usually Dr. Pepper. lol

Anyways, just wanted to get your thoughts and maybe even experiences with stereotypes.

P.S. The best tippers in the WORLD are from the Northwest United States. ;) Way to go, guys!
Click to expand...

Lol that was hilarious, people including christians stereotype, and usually they are true, but sometimes people do suprise you. lol very observant, that was too funny
 
I want to put my face in Ranch.

P.s. I'm a southerner and sweet tea is the only drink.
 
I know, Holly. I know. lol :P

I chose that stereotype because technically I am a southerner too. Though I don't really fit into most of the stereotypes. lol
 
I think people make too big an issue out this stuff.
People from different cultures act differently.

If you call it "stereotyping", you're a bigot;
if you call it "cultural awareness", you're a genius.
 
My point was that it shouldn't be a big deal to realize that there ARE cultural differences and that it's okay to understand them and react to them without it being a big social no-no.
 
Oops sorry Max. That response should have gone to seoul search hahaha!! That was a good jab!! :D
 
Powemm said:
I think I just blew the stereotype "itorethesky" had me in
"little Cindy In the Brady bunch " sigh.. Oh well .. I'm striving for that mark :)
Click to expand...
OMG..yer' like the 2nd person now to not understand what I said....???? I thought that thread was,what does the persons CC name remind you of...not WHO DO THEY REMIND YOU OF!!!!???!!! Powemm...you DO NOT remind me of cindy brady....AND again to rachelsedge if she didn't see my response before...you DO NOT remind me of a crime novel. ANYWAYs..I guess I am derailing this thread..sorry. As far as stereotyping people I don't do it,but I find humor in stereotypes to some degree,because they are semi based in some facts or truths...that doesn't make it a bad thing...stereotypes only become bad when others try to use them to be hurtful or mean to one another about them,which of course is what we do most of the time.
 
iTOREtheSKY said:
OMG..yer' like the 2nd person now to not understand what I said....???? I thought that thread was,what does the persons CC name remind you of...not WHO DO THEY REMIND YOU OF!!!!???!!! Powemm...you DO NOT remind me of cindy brady....AND again to rachelsedge if she didn't see my response before...you DO NOT remind me of a crime novel. ANYWAYs..I guess I am derailing this thread..sorry. As far as stereotyping people I don't do it,but I find humor in stereotypes to some degree,because they are semi based in some facts or truths...that doesn't make it a bad thing...stereotypes only become bad when others try to use them to be hurtful or mean to one another about them,which of course is what we do most of the time.
Click to expand...
Or they help you to prepare for the outrageously bad tip you're about to get. ;)
 
Huh? I'm making fun of myself now lemme do it .. do you need a hug ? Cuzz I will come after you flames and all..
 
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