Why do some people think they know what average people look like in countries not their own?

**Atlantic Islander** · 06-10-2013, 07:48 PM

A question that's been rattling around in my head for a while.

I've noticed this in many threads - people claiming to know how the average person looks in a country they've never been to and have next to no knowledge of.

People in general tend to have knowledge of their own country and some on the countries that surround their own - that's usually the extent of what they know.

So why is it that so many seem to think they are experts on countries they've never been to, or lived in, or spent any significant time in?

Your opinions... go.

**Mark** · 06-10-2013, 08:18 PM

I think it's a combination of comfortably and cockiness. Some people get in their minds that others are going to look or behave a certain way and have trouble budging from this--sometimes even with proof to contour their argument.

Bravado and ignorance can be dangerous, if not embarrassing.

**Lemon Kush** · 06-10-2013, 08:21 PM

I dunno usually from looking at their celebrities, sports players, etc..

**Hàkon** · 06-10-2013, 08:27 PM

Among the myriad of reasons that are, I will name two (more or less well known):

1. It is in the general nature of people to overestimate their own capability (-ies).
2. Having and sharing or displaying opinions, viewpoints and knowledge (no matter their accordance with reality), and then discussing them in various manners, is generally well enjoyed by people. (Which is how and why forums are.)

**Atlantic Islander** · 06-10-2013, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by dp93

I dunno usually from looking at their celebrities, sports players, etc..

Which essentially means they have no real knowledge.

**Jackson** · 06-10-2013, 08:28 PM

I just don't believe them unless they are from those countries or have spent a long time there, although i might consider it if they have spent a long time looking at various ethnicities, like Sikeliot for example.

**Lemon Kush** · 06-10-2013, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Atlantic Islander

Which essentially means they have no real knowledge.

Well it gives them a pretty good idea. Would the average people on the street look any different?

**Jackson** · 06-10-2013, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by dp93

Well it gives them a pretty good idea. Would the average people on the street look any different?

Quite often yes, unless they are from local clubs. Even then they can be atypical.

**Atlantic Islander** · 06-10-2013, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by dp93

Well it gives them a pretty good idea. Would the average people on the street look any different?

So I'm supposed to believe that every woman in France generally looks like Eva Green and every man in France generally looks like Gérard Depardieu?

Just an example.

Celebrities can give a person an idea, but it's never the whole picture.

Only a person from the country in question would know for sure, a foreigner cannot claim expertise, so again why do they think they can?

**WOOHP** · 06-10-2013, 08:48 PM

It's not a big thing. Most of the Europeans here know alot about their neighbouring countries and maybe even other parts of Europe. They know how they look, how they act, stereotypes etc.
Thanks to TV, internet, magazines and tourism we know much more today.

Non-Europeans at TA, like Australians and Americans generally got a connection with Europe. Like me for an example. I've spent significant amount of time in France, and I also currentley live in Sweden. I've been to other European countries aswell. Many Americans are actually genuinely interested about Europe.