What do you think of all the stereotyping nowadays?

[Verlander]

Stereotypes are for the lazy. If people stopped judging, and were just nice to each other, it would make a load of difference in the world. I love in an extremely rough part of my country. Almost everyone has a very negative side to their personality. Don't stop me being nice to them, and being friends with them...

 

[Fanta Grape]

Imagine you're playing a video game about killing Nazi's. You go through about 400 of them with your BFG Nine Million and then you come up to one and think, "Maybe this guy isn't a bad chap. I'm sure he has a wife and kids and he's being forced to do this job despite his pacifist ways." And then you get shot in the face.

They're there for a reason. They're not always right, but it's a standard. The tricky part about using stereotypes is to immediately change your opinions on someone the moment they challenge that in what they say or do.

 

[Tapeti]

Stereotypes have been around forever. Just look at the Canterbury Tales. Written in the 14th century (that's the 1300's) by Geoffrey Chaucer, these tales are considered a fictional masterpiece, and the entire premise of the collection is stereotypes, and a general view of the kinds of people around back then. In fact, it's said that Chaucer got his inspiration for the stories by sitting on his front porch and watching random people walk past.

The stereotypes today are just a modern rendition of what always has existed and what always will exist, imho.

 

[JoJo]

Stereotypes have been around forever. Just look at the Canterbury Tales. Written in the 14th century (that's the 1300's) by Geoffrey Chaucer, these tales are considered a fictional masterpiece, and the entire premise of the collection is stereotypes, and a general view of the kinds of people around back then. In fact, it's said that Chaucer got his inspiration for the stories by sitting on his front porch and watching random people walk past.

The stereotypes today are just a modern rendition of what always has existed and what always will exist, imho.

Welcome to Escapist, great first post, just stay out the basement and you should be fine ;-)

OT: I agree with Tapeti, stereotypes have always existed, just look at the ethic/racial stereotypes 50 to 100 years ago in any western country.

 

[Ken Sapp]

Stereotypes are a natural part of being human. Whether taught or formed from experience everyone practices stereotyping, always have and always will. It is a mechanism that the mind uses to help us determine how to interact with strangers and while subsequent experience can modify how we perceive individuals our impressions of others will always be colored by how we first met each other. This is why first impressions are so important.

Personally I tend to stereotype on the way people act.

 

[Eggsnham]

I don't like stereotypes, but it's a bit of a natural occurrence.

You can try to stop, but you'll still do it - maybe you won't be a dick to the person, but you'll still have the impulse to be a dick.

In any case, I've been told before that my face makes me look like a child and apparently people fantasize about punching me in said face. I don't get why they would tell me that, because that's just an awkward thing to say, but whatever, sh'appens.

 

[swankyfella]

I think it's foolish to think people do it now more than they used to. The stereotypes are just changing so you're noticing them more.

 

[FamoFunk]

Stereotypes are there for a reason - Because people fit into them.

This.
I don't understand why people get worked up or offended about Sterotypes, everyone does it, a much as they hate to admit it.

It's always been around and is there for a reason, hell, I even join in about the jokes of me being "The Welsh Sheep Shagger"

 

[Brawndo]

We don't view most people we don't know as "real people", so we don't think twice about labeling them with stereotypes and caricatures. But even the most hated people in the world are still normal in some respects.

For example, did you know that Osama bin Laden plays volleyball and dislikes soft drinks?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/khadr/alqaedafamily3.html

 

[Nieroshai]

Stereotypes have a purpose. They are visual indicators of potential behaviors. It is incorrect sstereotypes like race that are bad, not stereotypes in general. In fact, it is better to place yourself in a stereotype than avoid them altogether, because it is INSANELY predictable what kind of reactionary jerk someone is if they base their worldview around hating stereotypes. I'm fine with being a geek, a gamer, my religion of choice, etc. because they are labels that define me. Labels like racist or bigot that I get from being a Conservative, however, are un-justified.

 

[Slippers]

There are other sides to the barricade. I myself am a man who is currently engaged in a management position in quite a large company.

I simply do not have either the time or the resources available to judge everyone on an individual basis and plan based on this.

A good example is an event I had to organize as a "thank you" for our IT division. Yes, I am aware that by speaking with each member and asking them about their likes or dislikes would have probably made my event more entertaining to them, but ask yourself this, do you sincerely believe that it is viable?

Stereotypes exist for reason, it's because they work most of the time. If they didn't, no one would use them, now would they? The fact that you don't conform is not the rule, it's the exception.

 

[Nouw]

If we didn't stereotype or judge a person to an extent, it'd be a very strange world.

Oh and cracked science says we have to >.>

 

[emeraldrafael]

I think its gone down in recent years and we should be happy with that.