Stereotypes on US and Russia

Analyzing Foreign Perceptions of Russia and the

United States

Guryev Pavel, Law-11

Kathy Pham, Gymnasium №1

What is a stereotype?

A stereotype is a popular belief about

specific types of individuals. Sometimes there

is truth in a stereotype, and it makes a good

image of the group of people, but many times

the stereotype can also hurt reputations.

Most of the world knows about Russia and the

United States as large powerful countries in

the economic and political sphere.

Stereotypes and generalizations about America

and Russia exist, but is all the

information correct? We plan to investigate

people’s opinions.

Our project is important because it asks the

opinion of young people around the globe.

Teachers can use our research to start a

discussion in their class about stereotypes.

Our work appeals to younger students in high

school and staff members, not for some

organization or political government.

Goals of our work

●Learn more about people’s stereotypes

about Russia and the US.

●Create a better understanding about

Russia and the United States across the

globe.

●Explore how/why the stereotypes began

and whether there is some truth behind

them.

●Try to explain how to change bad

opinions about Russia and the US.

We asked foreign teenagers about Russia and

USA. We asked them their opinion about these

countries before they came as foreign

exchange students. More than 50 people

(from Russia, USA, Italy, Germany, China and

more) took part in our questionnaire.

Society and mentality

USA Russia

●People are materialistic.

●Americans like childish

humor.

●All Americans are fat,

and eat

McDonalds everyday.

●Americans are always

happy and smiling.

●Americans are stupid or

uneducated about other

countries.

●Every American lives in a

house, not flats

●People are materialistic.

●Russians have no humor or

enjoy dark humor.

●Russians drink vodka and

eat borsch/pancakes

everyday.

●Russians are cold, sad

people.

●All Russian women look

like supermodels

Politics and economics

USA Russia

●All of America is

wealthy.

●America wants to invade

Russia, starting with

Alaska.

●Every American city looks

like Los Angeles, New

York or Miami.

●Police and politicians are majorly

corrupt.

●Russia is overall poor, or does not

have a middle class.

●Russia wants to take Alaska, then

start a second Cold War.

●Russia is the same as the Soviet

Union.

Culture and etc.

USA Russia

●Every American has met a

Hollywood actor or

celebrity.

●Americans only eat fast

food.

●All “real” Americans are

of European descent.

●Americans do not speak

any other language

besides English.

●All Russians know how to

dance like a Cossack (ice

skate, play chess, etc.)

●Every Russian is a spy or

secret agent for the

government.

●The weather is always

snowy and cold in Russia

all year long.

●Russia hates foreigners.

●Bears are everywhere.

Stereotypes about

Russia.

Bears are everywhere.

This stereotype is definitely not true, and a bit absurd. The bear is

symbol of Russia, but a bear’s habitat is the forest, not streets of

cities. The Russian streets would be a dangerous environment for bears.We

think that this stereotype began, because in the past, there were a lot of

Russians traveling theater troupes that show many programs with Russian

bears.

All Russian women look

like supermodels.

Different people have their own

view on physical beauty, so some

people maybe see Russian women as

beautiful, but another person may

not agree. Nevertheless, this

stereotype is one of the most

popular stereotype about Russia.

Generally, women in Russia take

care of their looks and invest

time/money on clothing.

Russians eat

borsch/pancakes everyday.

True. Russian people, like other nations, have their own national

cuisine. Russians tend to eat national food often (including borsch and

pancakes). Cafes in Russia serve a great deal and variety of Russian

national food, and state so on their menus. In addition, it is almost

expected in social norms that every Russian housewife can cook these

main dishes of Russia.

Stereotypes about

United States.

Every American city looks

like Los Angeles,New York or

Miami.

False.The majority of American movies are filmed in LA, NY and other large cities, so people

around the world see these cities as representation for all of America. Unfortunately, this is

not true, because America has more diversity in cities. Some cities have a large suburb, and

others are actually mountain towns.

All of America is wealthy.

Neutral. Americans make more

money than civilians of other

countries, but it is also because

the cost of living is higher. There

are Americans living in poverty

just as in other countries, while

some Americans are profoundly

wealthy. One percent of the U.S.

population owns approximately

40 percent of the nation's wealth,

states a study from the

University of California at Santa

Cruz.

Americans are always happy and

smiling.True. American society

encourages smiling. Americans

are known to smile for no

particular reason, even at

strangers, because it is polite in

their culture.

Bad Stereotypes?

Top 3 Harmful Stereotypes

USA Russia

●All Americans eat fast

food everyday

●All real "Americans" are

of European descent.

●Americans do not speak

any other language other

than English.

●Russians are sad, cold

people.

●Russia wants to take

Alaska and start a second

Cold War.

●Every Russian is a spy or

secret agent for the

government.

Solutions

●International exchange programs

●Campaigns in media against bad stereotypes

●Booklets, Literature, Information on Stereotypes

and Truth

●Talk to your friend about effects of stereotypes

on countries' reputation

Conclusion