Stereotypes - things people have just amused about you.

Jurnee - posted on 08/15/2011

People assume that because I had my first child at 16 that Im uneducated,that because some of my kids have differnt dads that Im a whore, because im single that Im looking for a husband/father for my kids, that because I am single and lower working class my kids must be hoodlums/damged. Nothing is further from the truth, I finished hs and technical school, never went to college but educated myself, i have only slept with 4 men in my life, 3 of them being my kids dads. I have alwasy taken care of myself and my kids, I want a man to share my life not take care of me. My children are all great students, with good morals, One is a teacher, one was in the military and now has a great job, but is still going to college to become a lawyer, one is starting culinary school, she is a very talented cake decorator already with a small business on the side. The little one is just a great kid.

Stifler's - posted on 08/15/2011

"If you're from Africa... why are you WHITE?"

"Oh my GOD Karen... you can't just ask people why they're white!"

Emma - posted on 08/15/2011

Kirby its great fun letting them believe that stuff and then adding some nonsense for your own amusement.
I brought a BF of mine from the UK on holiday to South Africa and well i let him believe we had lions roaming about and lived in hut ect ect He felt really stupid when he got hear lol

Kirby - posted on 08/15/2011

LOL no crocodiles, their in the northen territory, im down south :) we do have a lot of skippys around here though! i had to set a few people straight when i was in europe, but i couldnt stop laughing so they still think there are skippys everywhere lol

Angela - posted on 08/15/2011

@Kirby so do you like to wrestle crocodiles :)... Just kidding... what is sad is that they are serious!

Kirby - posted on 08/15/2011

Recently remebered some comments from people when I was travelling...... "Oh, your from Australia? Do you own a kangaroo?" "How do you drive on the road with the kangaroos everywhere?" "who's looking after your koala?" - these were serious questions - not jokes!

Angela - posted on 08/15/2011

@Kelly Canton, Allen Park and Dearborn I have family in Dearborn and I spent a lot time in Allen Park because it is right next door to Lincoln Park where my Grandma lived and I spent a lot of time wit her. Presque Isle... know it very lovely! I have family in Marquette and Skandia both are in the U.P. (Upper Penisula) I love the fall and summers up in that area. I took my kids and hubby their for a couple visits, my husband loved it and the kids loved the lakes. Sand Dunes all so cool. I lived in Marquette for 8 months and the snow OMDG the snow.... but i must admit I love winter sports.
Most of my family in Michigan is in the UP or East lower but a few in Lansing not much near Grand Rapids area. But I have been to the Children's hospital over their once

Kelly - posted on 08/14/2011

My hubby is from Michigan! He grew up in the Canton, Allen Park, and Dear Born areas (suburbs of Detroit?) then his father moved to Presque Isle MI, which is the part of MI I know. It is BEAUTIFUL!!! But the SNOW! I could never live there year round--the summers are fabulous: they were complaining about a "heat wave" and it was 92F outside! lol. but the winters are unbearable with all the snow and wind. The LAKE froze!!! Not lake Huron, but every other lake close by was frozen and the fishermen had to build huts on the ice and drill into the ice to fish. Sorry, not my cup of tea.

I have a pretty strong southern accent (think Charleston, not Texan). A man asked me where I was from in London once and I told him South Carolina, US. He said "That can't be right, you are not loud enough to be American, you are not conceited, and you are nice. I like to hear you talk, I can't stand Americans." :P

Jayce - posted on 08/14/2011

I hate that people assume I'm an unmarried welfare case because I live in a co-op. I'm married, hubby works and I live in a co-op because the rent is cheaper.

I love it when Americans, complete with their skis and gear, come looking for the nearest resort in the middle of July. I'm only too happy to give them directions, I just don't bother to tell them there's no snow in the summer.

Carolee - posted on 08/14/2011

I have family all over Michigan, but mostly in Kalamazoo area, St. Joseph, and Benton Harbor. Some in Detroit that I don't see much, and some near the U.P.

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

I just have to say I have big love for Michigan :) So i send big love to you all Michiganders. Most of my family is still in Michigan i make it over there at least every other year. I love sharing the Great Lakes and Michigan's nature with Claire the lakes rock!

Carolee - posted on 08/14/2011

Just a quick note, Angela... I'm from Michigan, too (originally).

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

you know we could make some money Jennifer,This is the plan get our friends, family etc together at your place, make a fake igloo, dress up like Eskimos from the early days and you charge them to see us

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

Yeah, we get inquiries about Eskimo's (Inuit) and their Igloos. I can relate. lol

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

OH yes I get that all the time ! It goes something like this. my cousin's( 5th removed) sister lives in L.A.!!! Do you know her!
When I meet someone and tell them i am an American and they will give a strong opinion of America and how it looks or how people act etc. I will say oh, where have you been in the USA and they say I have never been to the USA.
Another one I have got is I am going to the USA where are the real Indians at? you know the ones with feather and stuff!

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

LOL Emma... I think that is one thing we all have in common... no matter where we're from. I've gotten the "Do you know so and so (some person who lives in Canada or Ontario, my province)."

Emma - posted on 08/14/2011

I sound like who ever im talking to at the time which messes with people.

Do you guys get the "do you know so in so he lives in SA " lol

yip i know all 50 million South Africans personally arrrrrrrrrr

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

@Jennifer, yes I think I do have a hodge podge accent ha ha, to make matters worse I go back and forth from English to Dutch now so I say weird grammar ....

Like take your shoes out because in Dutch that is the literal translation for take your shoes off.

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

I've thought of that before too. I mean Canada especially is so sparse. It takes at an hour to drive to the next large city.

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

@Jennifer my husband spoke British English, that is what they teach mostly, However he has been around me so much he now sounds just like an American when he speaks English hee hee hee

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

yes I mean they think Germany is BIG and it is like the size of Montana or something... so they don't understand why North American's need school buses or cars etc. I am like it is a VERY BIG place unless you are in a big city with public transport you will mostly likely need a car, it is not just because we like to guzzle gas and ruin the environment

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

My 4 year old nephew is visiting from the UK for the last 3 weeks and he's already saying certain words in a Canadian tongue.

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

Some people pick up other accents easily. Especially women and children. So you probably have a hodge podge accent. ;)

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

I have not a clue! But it is weird and I understand what you mean. I have lived in so many places that my accent must be weird, even when I go back to Michigan people will ask me where did I come from... I am like here and they are like noooo way!

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

Yeah, I bet Angela! I mean Texas alone is bigger than most European countries.

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

This is something I've never understood, however. When I cross the border into Michigan. They have very strong accents and a drawl to their voice. But my accent is more comparable to a Californian accent. To me, Hollywood stars don't have an accent whatsoever. Meanwhile, California is really far away. I wonder how that works.

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

Most Western Europeans I have met can't wrap their heads around the size of the USA or Canada! The Netherlands's is about 1.5 size of New Jersey!

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

@Emma yeah many also refer to Africa a country that even bugs me!
@Jennifer I grew up next door to you well close enough, I grew up in Michigan! We say eh also a lot up there! ha ha ha...

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

From what I've heard South Africa is very civilized. I wouldn't assume otherwise. I've always wanted to visit SA.

Emma - posted on 08/14/2011

When people ask the stupid things about SA i love to tell them you do know we did the first human heart transplant, most don't believe me in till they Google it lol

or i just say yes to all the stuff lol

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

Emma, yeah my hubby got that too! But they actually didn't have a TV when he lived in Zambia. But this was 30 years ago. They did live in a house though and his mom said all she did all day was play golf. ;)

Locals use to think she was crazy because she'd walk to town alone (being a woman). Although she is a big woman at 5'10.

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

I also like to say 'eh?' for my American brother's entertainment... they get a kick out of it! Even though 'eh' is not in my vocabulary... I'm not from the Maritimes. ;)

Emma - posted on 08/14/2011

@ Jennifer i get stupid things about South Africa too
Ive been asked if i live in a hut, are there lions wondering around all over the place, do we have tv ect lol

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

I've had to explain it many times! I live in a border city to Detroit, MI. I look out my window and see the the detroit river, the ambassador bridge and the renaissance building. :/

I've also been asked if I own a television. I said: "You mean one of them moving picture boxes, eh?"

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

@Jennifer ha ha ha.... yeah most don't realize that most of the population in Canada lives not far from the border of the USA :)
An Igloo really!

Jenni - posted on 08/14/2011

Canadians get a lot of crazy stereotypes too. When I've visited the US I've been asked if I live in an Igloo. Not as a joke either. :/



I've seen (mid summer) Americans crossing the border with snowmobiles. It's like 85 F out today????



When talking about hunting, I was asked by an Aussie if my family hunts baby seal. "Yeah, we don't have TV in our igloo's, eh? So all we got for entertainment is clubbing newborn baby seals."



And NOOOO I have never seen a polar bear, seal, moose or penguin other than in a ZOO!!! I live on the same longitude as Northern California!

Stifler's - posted on 08/14/2011

I hate when people say "you're so calm" I AM NOT. Just because I laugh when my kid climbs up and then falls off something doesn't mean I'm calm it means he does it ALL FREAKING DAY LONG. I don't sanitise the shopping trolley either and neither of my kids have ever been sick. I also freak out about the feeding schedule and how much he is eating all the time and people don't see it they just see the social animal who can get ready and leave the house in 2 minutes flat when invited somewhere.

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

Oh one more my last name is Italian so they ask me if I am from Italy, I am like no, I am an American this confuses the Europeans a lot... and they call me stupid

Angela - posted on 08/14/2011

Being an American in The Netherlands I have gotten all kinds of crazy generalizations. The ones that bother me the most.

American food is just hot dogs and hamburgers! In fact American has just as much if not more variety than Europe.

That we all own a gun and shoot things.

That we all sue each other all the time.

That we are all obese and live on McDonald's

That my American friends and I all have huge houses and swimming pools and throw our kids parties like on Sweet Sixteen , everyone gets a car! , no people MTV is not my real life okay!

That I am rich or I am in in debt because I bought two big SUV's and 20 plasma screens.

That I voted for whomever is in office because they won of course!

That I am stupid because I don't know where every little country is in Europe however when I ask them where is Texas they cant' tell me shit. They only know California and NYC, and NYC is not NYS!

Those are just a few!

Emma - posted on 08/14/2011

And because i don't believe in using anti bacterial products on anything and every thing 300 times a day or change my kids clothes every time they get a hint of dirt on them that my kids are germ infested or dirty (My kids have never had to see a doc except for the normal baby check ups and jabs)

Emma - posted on 08/14/2011

I hate when people ask what i do for a living and i say SAHM which apparently means i have no ambition, dont have a brain and do nothing of purpose all day and only want to talk about my kids.
And the assumption that i think your a bad mother for working because i stay at home.

Kirby - posted on 08/14/2011

People think I'm lazy - and I can be, but I lead quite an active life. I put on over 30kgs when preggers with my twins, and in the last 2 and a half years I have lost 55kgs, but people still think Im overweight coz I'm lazy. I have 2 kids, 1 stepkid, and helped my inlaws do landscaping and build a childrens playground on their proprty - so lazy? Not so much thank you :)
People also think I'm old. when i was 19, people thought i was 35. even now, people do a double take when I tell them im 24. (even my fiance, now 35, couldnt believe it when we were dating and i asked him to come to my 21st) i dont think i look that old??? :( i just tell people i am mature

Christina - posted on 08/13/2011

People assume that I'm either anorexic or lying about giving birth to four children because I'm 5'5 and weigh a whopping 112lbs.
Also, complete strangers will argue with me about whether or not my oldest child is really my child. They will tell me that I'm lying and he is either my brother or my nephew. I will say, "Yeah, you are right. I randomly steal the neighbors children just for attention." WTF?! My almost 11yr old told me that people are stupid for not believing I'm his mom. I told him that someday he will appreciate the fact that his mom doesn't look old.

Lin - posted on 08/13/2011

Oh boy, where do I begin? I'm fat, so some people think I'm lazy. Couple that with being a SAHM, they think all I do is sit around watching soap operas and eating bonbons a la Peggy Bundy. I've discovered part of the reason I am overweight is because I haven't really learned how to eat (it sounds crazy, but I've been used to speed eating and eating larger portions than what I should have - like adult portions at age 8). I'm working on it; I've recently dropped a dress size!



My degree is in psychology, so I'm expected to play therapist to friends. HA! I am way more interested in human sexuality (it is the one area harder to predict behavior in, so it is an academic challenge), and I'm not going to meddle in people's sex lives, especially without a license.



I'm Pagan, so I'm presumed to be a devil worshiping, baby eating, fluffy bunny that you dare not mess with else your soul and hair be ripped from you.



I'm bisexual, so I'm presumed to be one to hump everything I see not nailed down. Geez, my hips would be sore after a while.



I'm white, so I don't know anything about hot sauce on fries (I actually got an entire Downtown restaurant staring at me when I ordered some fries and asked for hot sauce), hip hop, etc.

Katherine - posted on 08/13/2011

I know!!!!!

Stifler's - posted on 08/13/2011

haha structure... what's that!

Katherine - posted on 08/13/2011

That I'm stuck up. That pisses me off to NO end. I'm just kind of shy at first. Don't people have the concept of shy????
That my kids have no structure (my mom). GRRRR, she makes me so mad. That I can't do it on my own. And many others.

Stifler's - posted on 08/13/2011

The assumption that I deny my husband sex or that it's normal to deny your husband sex annoys me. Damo is like I'll be at work and everyone else is bitching about their wife knocking them back and I'm like MINE WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE. People find it amusing and somehow surprising. He's like the boss asked me if you were still trying to jump on after the second kid and he's like IT'S WORSE THAN EVER and everyone nearly fell over laughing.

Emma - posted on 08/13/2011

Anyone that knows me know's i can drink like a sailor as well as swearing like one.
Well the assumption that woman cant hold there liqueur used to insure me and my mates would always have free nights out when i was younger.
I would find the biggest guy in the bar and bet them i could drink more shots then them if i win they have to pay for my bar tab and all the shots and if they do i will pay theirs.
I only ever lost once.

Jenni - posted on 08/13/2011

It's usually my FIL's rugby buddies. Imagine the shock and anger I would receive if I told them: "Yeah, I watched that match last night. Your team might as well have been giving rimjobs and reach arounds to their opponents." It's funny because I'm usually censoring myself for their benefit. lol



My SO always gets mistaken for being Serbian. He hates it! Not that he has a problem with people thinking he is. Just because he constantly has to correct people. Which leads to the I was born in Zambia but my parents are British. I told him he should just learn a few Serbian phrases and go with it...