Job Discussion Forums

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

What misconceptions did you have before you arrived.

I admit to the total ignorance I had about Turkey. Arriving in a small village in Agean Turkey I was pleasantly surprised to find women in bikinis on the beach! I was expecting every women to be covered head to toe in a black albaya.

Since then I try to have no preconceptions about a place. That way you'll never be disappointed.

jonniboy · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:12 am Post subject:

Fortunately due to the ceasefires and peace process started in 1994, my home city of Belfast's grim reputation has receded over the years but before that I got everything: including wild remarks like how it most be difficult to live in a war zone and aren't I afraid to go out due to snipers etc? When in reality the crime and murder rates even during the violence were lower than most English cities nevermind US ones.

The stupidest I ever had though was when I went to a job agency in London in 1999 and after telling them that it would take me a few days to get id, they asked me "but didn't you need a passport to come over here?" (passports being unsurprisingly unnecessary for travel from one UK city to another.) I can understand Joe Public being a bit ignorant about such things, but I really did expect a recruitment consultant to know the law on who she could employ...

About other countries, a common stereotype of the Spanish is that everyone takes 3 hour long siestas every day and is lazy when in fact the Spanish sleep less than most people in Western Europe. I'll admit that I too was a bit hazy about the siesta thing before I went there!

billybuzz · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 219 Location: turkey

The biggest misconception I heard about recently came about via a B.B.C news story that the Greeks are cracking down on draft dodgers . The story went on to say that as Greece is concerned about the "perceived " threat from Turkey they have to be in a state of pepetual readiness for attack . Too many people with "connections" are getting out of serving their country . So first misconception,Greece is REALLY at war with Turkey a fellow N.A.T.O. member ,not the other way around . So next one , they can prepare for an attack ,reality check ,the Turks could just walk in any time they like coz the Greeks still like their afternoon nap .

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

jonniboy · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject:

jonniboy · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject:

wildnfree · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 134

About Hong Kong:

All asians are smart
All Asians are good students and easy to teach
Chinese are filthy rich
Triads rule the streets.

11:59 · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:31 am Post subject:

Don't forget the "year round heat in Hong Kong"!

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?p=512051&highlight=#512051

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

the biggest thing that suprised me about my time in Hainan, was that I NEVER saw anyone do Thai Chi - Yet it is such a common image on TV....I was also suprised that more people in the West seem interested in Daoism and Confucious that they do in China....

In fairness, I do think Hainan Province is fairly unlike the rest of China though...

I think there is a difference between being ignorant, and believing stereotypes though.......

My students knowledge of London always included red buses and phone boxes, and of course the Queen....all simple stereotypical images that are included in books about life in the UK.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

The Queen is stereotypical, strange could have thought the royal family was important and supporting their lifestyle was not just a bad use of taxes Laughing

!

MamaOaxaca · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 201 Location: Mixteca, Oaxaca

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

jonniboy · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:37 pm Post subject:

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

About Monterrey, people at home were constantly asking us about the hot weather in the winter even after we told them it was cold.

We heard a lot of people saying Mexicans are lazy...after being here a while I would say that yes there are lazy people but in general they work longer hours in Monterrey. Most of our students work 6 days a week and prefer night classes because they are at work the rest of the time.

Margot73 · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 145 Location: New York City

My father thinks NYC is just one big drive-by-shooting. It's not. People also seem to think that New Yorkers are rude. I haven't found that during the 4 years I've lived here. The only times I've been pushed and shoved are in places like Times Square, Century21 (discount designer clothing store,) and in other locations with tons of tourists. My theory is that many tourists come from smaller towns and are not used to walking in large crowds.