Forget the stereotypes

The French are arrogant, the English are miserable, Scots are tight with their money, Australians are boorish drunks, Italians are dangerously passionate, Americans are loud know-it-alls …

If you agree with any of these statements, then you’re guilty of buying into stereotypes. While it’s true that stereotypes develop from a grain of truth or experience, they too often get exaggerated and disguise a very important fact about humanity.

Of course, the only way to really understand people is to travel.

The first think you’ll learn is that it’s impossible to lump any group of people together. Certainly people of the same background have common traits, often because of religion or tradition.

Some nationalities are known for their hospitality, but that doesn’t mean that everyone you meet is going to welcome like lost kin and invite you into their homes. And while some places have a reputation for honesty, are you really going to leave your door unlocked and your wallet open on the bedside table?

I am often told that the French are horrid, rude people who refuse to engage with foreigners. Yet I have had nothing but good experiences in France. The “trick”? I always attempt to speak French. If I go into a coffees shop, I will say:

"Un café au lait s'il vous plaît."

This will, of course, create great amusement and they will answer: “Are you English?”

I will say: “No, I’m Australian”, and we’ll get along fine.

Once, when my young daughter went missing in Paris and I had a panic attack, everyone stopped to lend assistance — and helped me discover that she had popped into a shop without realising that I’d continued walking.

People are pretty much the same everywhere. There are a few bad ‘uns, but mostly they want to live and let live. And, when it comes to meeting tourists, many locals are very keen to share the wonders of their country with you — although they, rightly, expect you to make a little effort, too.