Thread: National Stereotypes

When I was a student, I remember attending lectures on cross-cultural communication as an elective course. One of the topics discussed was heterostereotypes and autostereotypes of Americans and Russians. There were some table data, which, I think, may be of interest here.

AMERICANS' STEREOTYPES OF RUSSIANS:

Gallup (1941): hardworking, brave, radical, ordinary, progressive.
Buchanan & Cantril (1953): cruel, hardworking, domineering, progressive, backward.
Peabody (1985): serious, hardworking, firm, intelligent, thrifty, persistent, cautious, inflexible, passive, self-confident.
Stephan et al. (1993): disciplined, hardworking, obedient, serious, strong, proud, orderly, conservative, competitive, emotional.

RUSSIANS' STEREOTYPES OF AMERICANS:

Melnikova (1990): aggressive, strong, power hungry, quick, brave, dangerous, energetic, noisy.
Stefanenko (1990): hungry for success, enterprising, relaxed in behavior, professionally competent, self-confident, individualistic, pragmatic in relations, materialistic, communicative, ethnocentric, thrifty, diligent.
Stephan et al. (1993): ambitious, spontaneous, dignified, competent, energetic, enterprising, competitive, patriotic, independent, sociable.

RUSSIANS' STEREOTYPES OF RUSSIANS:

Stefanenko (1990): hospitable, friendly, patriotic, humane, socially dependent, responsive.
Stephan et al. (1993): tough, patient, hospitable, adaptable, wasteful, materialistic, obedient, friendly, emotional, passive.

I've heard Russians think of themselves as lazy, is that true?

Yes, and it does not go in any contradiction with the fact the we are hardworking.

Lazyness is the first evidence of a talent - my teacher told me often.

Originally Posted by sperk

I've heard Russians think of themselves as lazy, is that true?

I'll answer with a quote -
"Славяне были вольнолюбивым народом. Их часто угоняли в рабство, но и там они не работали. В неделе у славян было всего два дня. Они
назывались Уик и Уэнд"