Stereotypes based on a person’s nationality are normally off the mark and most often offensive. From Polish jokes to sports fans that mimic Native American dance and don a feathered headdress, none are a true representation of what the culture or nationality really are. Ethnic and natural stereotypes have been around for centuries. Many were created to incite anger or make others look inferior, taking a group’s weakness and accentuating and exaggerating it so that other’s would look down on them.

National stereotypes range from descriptive to scathing. According to some, the Swiss adore clocks while people from Romania are vampires. Each of these stereotypes may have some small bit of truth, but they are far from completely accurate. Cuckoo clocks in the shapes of Swiss chalets are not a good representation of Sweden, neither is Swiss cheese but they are both stereotypical. 

Dracula originated from Transylvania, which today is known as Romania. That does not mean all Romanians are vampires. Not all Latin and Italian men make great lovers, just like not all Italian women are excellent cooks. The stereotypes are there and are hard to avoid. Many food companies use Italian names to create a brand that will encourage people to associate the great taste of Italian food with their products. Stereotypes used in this manner can be somewhat deceiving. 

Stereotypes were often used to designate some degree of superiority over the people being talked about. The Native American controversy with team mascots is a perfect example. The Indians and the Redskins are two teams named for Native Americans. The tomahawk “chop” is a ritual at baseball games, while others sport fake headdresses and send up war whoops whenever their team scores a point or two. The Natives’ issues with team mascots stems from the derogatory actions some teams take when it comes to cheers and advertising. To people who have supported the teams for years, they see no problem but in actuality, the Native’s raise a good point. Rarely do you see a team bearing another people’s cultural, religious or national name. It’s doubtful there will ever be a team called the “Jews” or the “Hispanics”. The racial outcry would be deafening. 

There are other stereotypes associated with Native Americans. Even though there are over 350 tribal nations in the United States and throughout North America, if  you ask someone to describe a Native American they will more often than not, describe the Indian on horseback with the flowing headdress who raises his hand and utters monosyllabic words. The Indians found in the Wild West movies of the past set the norm for what most people think of when they speak of Native Americans in general. This concept is far from the truth. 

It will take education and time to remove many stereotypes, especially the historical ones. Others are here to stay whether we like it or not. Educating people in what is and is not politically correct will alleviate some of the problem, but it is doubtful that national stereotypes will ever completely disappear.