Every now and then I am accused of being prejudiced in some way
when I get into a certain conversation and I point out a theory that I really believe is true- Stereotypes are not a negative thing.

You see a stereotype in itself (gangsta gangs are likely to mug you, asians are bad drivers, blonde made up with a trowel woman is an airhead etc.) is neither a negative OR positive thing, it's just a tool.
If we went through life never remembering our experiences and always judging every new person or scenario with a blank mind then we would have a job, it's not really possible. You learn that when you see fire it is most likely hot, and when someone takes a certain stance and pulls their leg back in a certain way you are probably about to get kicked, and that if you smell frying bacon when you are coming downstairs you will probably see it being cooked when you get to the kitchen...it's just how we are designed to work. Could it be an illusion, or you be misinterpreting the cues? yes, of course! but if all your previous experiences have told you one thing then damn you, ring that bell and I'm gonna drool Pavlov.

I've lived and worked in China, they actually are really bad drivers- by our standards. Because over there it's like London driving on a major scale; you have to be quick and confident in your manouveres, and there aren't the same laws about indication and lane structure. It's about context.

What I'm trying to say in my round about kind of way is that often stereotypes are based on actual common experiences, what makes them so bad isn't that they exist, it's that so many people don't realise the difference between what is possibly likely for a broad stereotype, and the total individual stood before them that may or may NOT fit that assumption.

The amount of times I've tried to explain this to people who then assume I'm saying that I really believe all asians are bad drivers and every black dude wearing a bit of gold is about to commit a criminal act is astounding, but then maybe I should just take the hint and finally learn to just keep my mouth shut!
( Jessie © needs pirate name suggestions, Thu 1 Apr 2010, 18:41, 8 replies)

No, you just need to learn to replace the word "all" with "many", or even "most".
Many Asians are poor drivers. Many jewellery-wearing persons of colour are criminals. Many priests are paedophiles.

Takes the sting out of it somewhat, see?
( flake has nothing against your right leg, Thu 1 Apr 2010, 18:52, closed)

still doesn't sound too great tbh...

( Damien's Hearse, Thu 1 Apr 2010, 18:54, closed)

Hahah, this

( Jessie © needs pirate name suggestions, Thu 1 Apr 2010, 19:42, closed)

I have never heard about all asians being bad drivers before.
But surely the Toyotas are to blame? :D
( Damien's Hearse, Thu 1 Apr 2010, 18:54, closed)

If this were slashdot, and I had mod points, then
+1 Insightful
( drunkenoaf, Thu 1 Apr 2010, 21:09, closed)

Well, most people are prejudiced against ideas that actually make them use their brains.
(Falstaff's Spiritual Successor, Thu 1 Apr 2010, 23:40, closed)

They probably recognised a pattern.
See, lots of people who really *are* racist cunts use this argument to justify a position they've taken.

Hearing it again means they associate you with those chaps.

Hence...

Probably best to not expound the argument unless you're sure you're talking to someone who'll actually listen and understand.
(Scritty Bakerman., Fri 2 Apr 2010, 22:39, closed)

This is a very good point
I've heard that happen too, people get all excited and think they've found themselves a fellow racist. I had to tell one guy he was missing the point just as equally as those I was jabbering on about and worryingly he just laughed, I could almost see a mental shutter clatter down, he wasn't even curious what I meant.
( Jessie © needs pirate name suggestions, Sat 3 Apr 2010, 10:17, closed)