Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with stereotype

You can go to school, but you can't buy class

paperlanterns — Sat, 30 May 2009 14:56:43 -0800

I am interested in who/what/where of people with money that act with class. I saw posts for classy behavior, but I am curious about examples of people or groups that have a lot of money, but act with class. I guess it depends on how you define class. I can tell you what I don't think is classy, in my opinion. People who have a lot of money but are dripping head to toe with obvious name brands screaming at you (Chanel bag, Ed Hardy shirt).

I am also interested in stereotypes of groups considered classy or non-classy. For instance (and I could be wrong), the NY Times had this article on the Real Housewives of New Jersey yesterday. I've heard a lot of Italian-American groups who do not like the portrayal of "Italians with money" on TV (RHoNJ, Sopranos) b/c the general ppublic does not consider them to be classy.

For instance, is the stereotype of the Persians of Los Angeles considered classy? Or are they known to be only people who throw up the Persian palaces? How about rich Jewish people in New York? Chaldeans in California and Michigan?

Any examples of people in those groups with classy or non-classy behavior would be greatly appreciated. Apologies if this is chat-filter. I am just trying to get a sense of what gives certain groups that have money certain stereotypes.

Is a convertible BMW 3-series too midlife-crisis for a 20-something guy?

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:03:27 -0800

Is a convertible BMW 3-series too midlife-crisis for a 20-something guy? (sorry for the big wall of text - but since it's an anon question, I want to give as much context as possible - summary questions are at the end)

I currently have a Miata. I'm moving out of it mainly to get a bit more space (two more seats and a real trunk), and a bit more luxury (all the plastic and squeaking are starting to throw me off). Yet, I absolutely don't want to give up on road-feel - last time I drove a sedan (a Mazda-3, even, which is supposed to be "sporty") I was almost sleeping and felt like I was riding on a cloud. I really like convertibles too - Every time I ride in my friends cars in a sunny day I have the reflex to open the top.

I'm almost set on a BMW (I heard nothing but praise on the driving experience from everyone I asked). My big doubt is between convertible or non-convertible.

My biggest concern with the convertible is the image - My friend put this image in my head that any convertible with more than two seats is for middle-aged balding guys with aviators shades, etc - especially premium-brand big convertibles. I do see my fair share of middle-aged guys in these, but then I also see a lot of them in roadsters, so I really don't know if it's any more middle-agey than a Z4 or a Porsche.

Just to be clear, it's not for cruising with the top up and stereo blaring in front of night clubs - that is, I might do it by accident because I pass in front of them when going home, but my preference for the convertible is purely for my enjoyment, and not at all to impress people (OK, maybe friends).

I don't care that much about generic "jokey" stereotypes (the Miata is supposed to be a girly car, and BMW an arrogant douchebag car, anyway), those that generally have enough exceptions to not be taken seriously (noone will see me at the wheel of a Miata and seriously think "why, never mind the face, that's probably a girl"). However, I do have a couple white hairs, so if the stereotype is strong (and statistically sound) enough people might actually take me for a middle-aged guy. As another example of what I mean, I doubt anyone would genuinely assume a woman driving an Subaru is a lesbian (although they might joke about it) - but I think a black man in an Escalade might get labeled as a rapper a lot.

So, basically, what I want to know is:

* is the midlife crisis stereotype any stronger for a bigger/luxury convertible than for a roadster?
* is this a stereotype like a jokey "haha! you drive a convertible bimmer, you're such an old fart, why don't you get a Camaro already!", or like a genuine "wow, you're only 20-something? I saw you on your car and thought you were much older!"

*Since I can't babysit an anon thread, please stick to the image/stereotype topic (note the Society & culture category, not transportation). On-topic replies questioning my premises (like "Audis look much less mid-lifey than BMWs, you should reconsider them") are fine, but please don't derail into something like "Audis have better engines!", or "Get a real man's Mustang instead", or "Get a Civic and save your money".

SIS-BOOM-BAH?

Totally Zanzibarin' Ya — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:48:07 -0800

Are high school cheerleaders portrayed correctly in movies? Regarding the typical stereotype;

1) Is the squad leader stuck up, snobby, blonde, has rich parents, takes advantage of her underlings, is usually regarded as the best looking girl in school.

2) Some new girl moves to town and tries out to be on the squad ultimately being rejected by the alpha girl even though being really good.

3) Bad girl cheerleader (i.e. not preppy, has dark hair, tattoos, etc.) becomes friends with rejected new girl.

Is there really a crazy hierarchal structure to cheersquads?

Just asking because every movie I watch that has cheerleaders in it seem to follow this stereotype. Apologies if this is too chatfiltery.

Exotic stereotype busting librarian jobs

andendau — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:54:25 -0800

What are some examples of exotic librarian jobs or jobs out of the norm for a person with an MLS? I'm looking for some non-traditional occupations for librarians or types of careers that people with an MLS have branched into. I'm hoping to get some examples so when I'm in the position of informing others of my future occupation I won't leave that stereotypical image in their heads.

The lady in the tutti frutti hat

gauchodaspampas — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 19:01:03 -0800

Who are some iconic actors portraying races/ethnicities different from their actual heritage? I'm trying to think of a list of actors and actresses who are famous for portraying racial/ethnic stereotypes when they in fact they are questionably or are not even that race or ethnicity at all. The only two prominent examples I can think of right now are Carmen Miranda and Iron Eyes Cody. Carmen Miranda, or "the lady with fruit hat" always played characters from various latin countries, often Spanish speaking ones, even though she was actually raised in Brazil, and on top of that was born in Portugal. Iron Eyes Cody played hundreds of native american roles, most famously, "they crying indian" in the 70's environmental commercial. He was actually of Italian heritage. He did live his adult life as a native american, and was very much accepted as one, however. Can anyone think of any similar actors? I know there are many examples like this, for instance latinos playing roles as middle easterns and vice versa, but I'm mostly interested in the prominent, iconic figures.

East Coast vs West Coast stereotypes

qvantamon — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 07:29:10 -0800

Can you give me some stereotypes on East Coast vs West Coast differences? I'm not an American. In about every media I've had contact (Metafilter included), there is some stereotyping of Blue State vs Red State, or North vs South, or Urban America vs Rural America (Yeah, I know most of these overlap a lot). And yeah, much of it is offensive.

But stereotyping among the Urban, Blue State population is either rarer, or subtler. About the only things I get about this is that West Coasters are much more informal than New Englanders, and that people in the West Coast tend to use their cars a lot more than New Yorkers, and everywhere but California is damn cold.

So, can you give me some stereotypes about these places? What do New Englanders think of Californians? What about Seattleites and New Yorkers?

...hey sailor

cadastral — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 20:45:53 -0800

What is the origin of the stereotype of the lisping homosexual? ...what does a speech impediment have to do with being gay?

Low-end immigration

cillit bang — Sat, 14 May 2005 11:20:20 -0800

In this post, we decided only people with rare skills can get work visas. This has me wondering, how does the stereotypical immigrant taxi driver/office cleaner/etc get one? Or are they just a stereotype?

Pirate Accents

picea — Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:13:48 -0800

You know the stereotypical pirate and/or salty sailor accent? What is that? Where does it come from? It sounds like it must be some kind of bastardised English accent, but it's fairly distinctive. Or is it something created and perpetuated by film and television?