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Despite the extensive development of social media, misconceptions about these countries persist.
Our world is incredibly vast, making it difficult to fully understand each country solely through TV programs. Researchers suggest that the closer two countries are, the more prejudices they develop about each other. Consequently, we hold many erroneous misconceptions about their culture, people, and personalities. Below are some truths about these countries that will completely change your perspective.
1. Japanese people are reserved
To foreigners, Japanese culture often appears peculiar and difficult to understand. Most foreigners, especially those from the West, perceive Japanese people as rarely communicative or expressive. However, in reality, the people of this country are not much different from those of other nations. The reason why Japanese people may not be enthusiastic about conversing with foreigners could be due to the scarcity of proficient English speakers, making them often cautious around foreign nationals.
2. In England, everyone is obsessed with football
Football is the most popular sport worldwide, played by over 250 million people globally. England is renowned for hosting the premier football tournaments and is considered a nation deeply passionate about this sport. However, contrary to popular belief, not everyone in England is crazy about football as statistics reveal that only half of the nation's population are interested in it.
3. Spaniards are often depicted as incredibly lazy.
While this stereotype isn't prevalent in Asian cultures, in the eyes of Europeans, Spaniards are often portrayed as lazy individuals. This stereotype may stem from the Spanish tradition of taking afternoon naps.
However, this doesn't imply that Spaniards work less as statistics indicate that their average working hours surpass those of countries like Germany, England, etc.
4. Africa is solely comprised of grasslands or deserts.
When thinking of Africa, most people immediately envision vast savannas with herds of wildebeests, lions, and giraffes. This is the typical image evoked whenever television programs or movies depict Africa.
However, this vast continent holds much more: from the mesmerizing Victoria Falls to dense tropical rainforests, from the world's longest river, the Nile, to the Sahara, the largest hot desert on the planet. Moreover, Africa is not devoid of modern, bustling cities with awe-inspiring skyscrapers.
5. Americans only speak English
The United States is a vast nation with diverse ethnicities. However, many assume that English is the sole language Americans use. In reality, as of 2018, over 67 million Americans (nearly 22% of the world's population) are believed to speak a language other than English at home, indicating that English is not their only choice. Many studies also suggest that the number of monolingual English speakers in the US is likely to decrease further in the future.
6. Most youths in India are pressured into marriage by their families
Due to the traditional arranged marriage concept in India, many believe that most young individuals in this country are still coerced into marriage by their families. However, this does not mean that the youth here are forced or voiceless in choosing their life partners.
A study suggests that parents making decisions regarding their children's marriages is gradually fading away in the current era. Instead, they will seek their children's opinions.
7. The weather in Russia is cold all year round
It seems that whenever this country appears in movies or TV shows, you'll see Red Square in the capital city of Moscow buried under thick layers of snow regardless of the season. This stereotype has become so prevalent that we've grown accustomed to it and always associate Russia with snow, fur coats, and steaming hot soups. However, in reality, during other seasons of the year, Russia still enjoys a pleasant climate with comfortable temperatures.
Source: Bright Side
