Are stereotypes really missleading?

[Piscean]

yeah thats a much nicer way to say it:-)

[Sorreltail]

Stereotyping is stupid .. people shouldn't be labelled or try to fit into a group just to be accepted. =S

[Anmon]

I swear I am so sick of this over used nonsensical pc word, that the next person who says it to me in conversation, I will twist their head around.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Anmon I swear I am so sick of this over used nonsensical pc word, that the next person who says it to me in conversation, I will twist their head around.

What word? "Stereotype?"

Grandpa h.

[Maryjane]

You done it now Grandpa. Be afraid...be very afraid!

[Anmon]

Quote by: grandpa What word? "Stereotype?" Grandpa h.

yep its an over used meaningless word

[Jack]

It may be overused, but that's true of any word that sums up a rather complex concept into a single term. Why type an entire sentence when a single word will suffice? It isn't true, though, that's it's ill defined:
Stereotypes are ideas held about members of particular groups, based solely on membership in that group. They are often considered to be negative or prejudicial and may be used to justify certain discriminatory behaviors. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotypical

[Anmon]

The problem with it is it also try's to disallow the possibility of the member of that group being precisely that by default.

[Winter wind]

Quote by: Anmon The problem with it is it also try's to disallow the possibility of the member of that group being precisely that by default.

Sez who? If someone is like their stereotype, then bully for them. What is being discussed is assuming right off the bat they are going to be apart of that stereotype. It isn't always race either. I know a girl who wears goth/grunge clothes and once said to me "I'd get eyebrow piercings, but I'm thinking of going into politics.."

Oh and so you don't think she was kidding, she's going to major in poly-sci next year in college.

[Anmon]

Quote by: Winter wind I know a girl who wears goth/grunge clothes and once said to me "I'd get eyebrow piercings, but I'm thinking of going into politics.." Oh and so you don't think she was kidding, she's going to major in poly-sci next year in college.

Yeah but I'm tired of all these grungy down at the mouth rich kids with metal sticking out of them everywhere and their jeans hanging around their knees, and their pathetic don't judge me by the clothes I wear mantra, sorry but I will, because you look like crap, and you have no reason to feel so sorry for yourself, you don't live in the third world, and I don't care if your parents yell at you, their probably just sick of your lazy spoilt useless bitchy arse, so take your butt somewhere else, because I really don't care if you have the brain of a rocket scientist, that deep down underneath that bad ass image you project your actually really nice and special, just go away you have a pathetic attitude.
There.

[Halofan48]

Anmon, that was a bit to personal and was a rant that does not confer anything to debate.

[Anmon]

sorry just had to get it out, it wasn't at you.

[Tycoon]

Sorry just had to get it out, it wasn't at you.

Get it out somewhere else. Nobody wants to hear it.

[Jack]

Quote by: Anmon Yeah but I'm tired of all these grungy down at the mouth rich kids with metal sticking out of them everywhere and their jeans hanging around their knees, and their pathetic don't judge me by the clothes I wear mantra, sorry but I will, because you look like crap, and you have no reason to feel so sorry for yourself, you don't live in the third world, and I don't care if your parents yell at you, their probably just sick of your lazy spoilt useless bitchy arse, so take your butt somewhere else, because I really don't care if you have the brain of a rocket scientist, that deep down underneath that bad ass image you project your actually really nice and special, just go away you have a pathetic attitude. There.

You're now an official Grumpy Old Fart. Welcome to the club.

Anyway...

Today I noticed something that reminded me of this thread. I was walking down the sidewalk and coming toward me was a Mexican young adult, heavily tattooed on both arms and his neck. He was wearing a blue bandanna gang-banger-style, a motorcycle jacket (it was near 90 today), and heavy boots. He was scowling.

Obviously this guy was projecting a stereotype. He consciously was adopting this look to increase his "bad ass" quotient. Since he was going so far out of his way to project an attitude, would it be wiser and safer to presume he would act consistent with his image, or should we just treat him as any other young 20ish guy?

I'm not suggesting an answer because I think our answer is personal. Each of us would likely behave a bit differently around such a kid.

Me, I just walked past projecting my usual "don't screw with me and I won't screw with you" aura. It usually works.

[Darebirth]

Quote by: Technosoul Does stereotyping a group of people really create a false image of that group (totally), or is it only harmful to a few individuals within that group that might be an exception of the majority (of the targeted group)?

Stereotyping is never accurate when given to any specific group of people. I know skiny Americans, Brits with good teeth, Asians who are terrible at math, black people who don''t steal, and Mexicans who live in Mexico.

On the other hand, I do know incredibly fat Americans, Brits who have never been to a dentist's office, Asians who are incredible at math, black people who have broken every law on the books, and Mexicans who live in an English speaking country and don't speak English.

In short, each person has a different personality, and while their race can effect their personality, it is ultimately the person's choice what he or she does with his or her life.

[Winter wind]

Quote by: Anmon Yeah but I'm tired of all these grungy down at the mouth rich kids with metal sticking out of them everywhere and their jeans hanging around their knees, and their pathetic don't judge me by the clothes I wear mantra, sorry but I will, because you look like crap, and you have no reason to feel so sorry for yourself, you don't live in the third world, and I don't care if your parents yell at you, their probably just sick of your lazy spoilt useless bitchy arse, so take your butt somewhere else, because I really don't care if you have the brain of a rocket scientist, that deep down underneath that bad ass image you project your actually really nice and special, just go away you have a pathetic attitude.

The funny thing is she would usually agree with you. However, she says the cloths are comfortable and she likes the music. She thinks you fight the system by working it from the inside and thinks the people you describe above are just starved for attention.

See, you just proved yourself that stereotypes give you the wrong idea about a person.

[Anmon]

[Isherwood;495513]You're now an official Grumpy Old Fart. Welcome to the club.

Not me.

Today I noticed something that reminded me of this thread. I was walking down the sidewalk and coming toward me was a Mexican young adult, heavily tattooed on both arms and his neck. He was wearing a blue bandanna gang-banger-style, a motorcycle jacket (it was near 90 today), and heavy boots. He was scowling.

If you had given him a smirk or something, he may have killed you, these guys are the real deal.

Obviously this guy was projecting a stereotype. He consciously was adopting this look to increase his "bad ass" quotient. Since he was going so far out of his way to project an attitude, would it be wiser and safer to presume he would act consistent with his image, or should we just treat him as any other young 20ish guy?

Um no, the muscles and ink especially on his neck which are jail as, may suggest to you that he is not like average 20 year olds trying to be macho, he's probably been through lots of hard stuff that would scare the pants off most people, and for that experience may not even be aware he's scowling.

Me, I just walked past projecting my usual "don't screw with me and I won't screw with you" aura. It usually works.

I suggest blank expression is the best option, or scowl yourself alittle but no eye contact.
If you walk past bridging up a bit to him you might get yourself into a confrontation beyond your means to handle.

[Winter wind]

If you had given him a smirk or something, he may have killed you, these guys are the real deal.

I would laugh long and hard if this guy was a hippie in disguise. But seriously this is slightly off topic. I think this isn't prejudging people because he was trying to act like a certain stereotype, so it would be a logical deduction that he is trying to copy the attitude as well as the exterior, but unless that is painfully clear, you should be wary about making that deduction.

I suggest blank expression is the best option, or scowl yourself alittle but no eye contact. If you walk past bridging up a bit to him you might get yourself into a confrontation beyond your means to handle.

This is excessive.

[Anmon]

[Winter wind;495614]I would laugh long and hard if this guy was a hippie in disguise.

Why would a hippy disguise himself that way?

But seriously this is slightly off topic. I think this isn't prejudging people because he was trying to act like a certain stereotype, so it would be a logical deduction that he is trying to copy the attitude as well as the exterior, but unless that is painfully clear, you should be wary about making that deduction.

There seems to be a lot of 'people aren't who they really are' talk on this forum, to me this speaks a lot of uncertainty and fear.
I would suggest that someone who looks like they have been working out a lot, has ink on everywhere especially on his neck or face and is scowling, is very likely to be the real deal, not portraying some intellectuals stereotype.

This is excessive.

How so?

[Winter wind]

How so?

If you don't do the things you pointed out, he's going to be mugged?
It creates a mentality...