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[Dali]

I have the feeling this may get locked due to people making no attempt to parse their words and be civil with such a delicate topic, but I think open discussion about different cultures is the best way to do away with one of the biggest contributors to xenophobia/racism/bigotry of any type - ignorance.

It's interesting and sometimes funny to find out little cultural differences between yourself and other people. You can look at the observations of comedians like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle for proof of the hilarity found in spotting the differences.

Let me say beforehand that I know I may be making a generalization or stereotyping - as many who may post in this thread may do - but throwing political correctness out the door we all know some stereotypes exist for a reason. I just ask that any questions be asked with the honest intent to learn the basis or origin of a generalization with a minimal amount of disrespect and no attempts at humor at any particular group's expense.

I want to be clear that I am not trying to be funny or demean anybody.

Anyway.....

I can't help but notice a certain aroma emanating from the majority of individuals I meet from India. I know people in some countries don't wear deodorant or if they do, the scent of the product may be altered from its American counterpart to be more palatable to whoever is the target consumer (similar to Coke recipes). What I smell isn't cologne or deodorant: It's BO, plain and simple. My question: Is BO not as big a deal for Indian people? I'm not sure how to verbalize the question without sounding as though I'm judging or being condescending. Between my classes and my job I encounter many people from the subcontinent and the overwhelming majority have a body odor.

I've got theories as to the reason why: Deodorant is not the norm, that's the way their deodorant smells, I've been desensitized to American BO so foreign BO is all the more apparent, daily showers are a luxury or seen as wasteful... but it's all just conjecture. So what's the deal?

Anyone wondering about any stereotypes themselves? Please avoid any stupid shit. Any stereotype related joke you are thinking of cracking, every fucking person that's read this OP has thought of as well and exercised a little maturity and didn't post it.

 

[Door2Dawn]

Oh jeez.

Um...

Well..

 

[Davidion]

:lol I see some are not familiar with the whole India BO thing.

Well, just remember that most soaps and many deodorants contain cow fat. And you know how cows are considered in Hinduism.

 

[Tarazet]

The number of qualifications you had to make in the OP should have told you this would not end well.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Interesting and provocative topic, but your example stinks.

 

[Shawsie64]

Ive never really noticed a particular aroma specific to any race really and I converse/hang around alot of different nationalities living in Australia..

Spoiler

*backs away from thread slowly*

 

[atkbob]

 

[etiolate]

black people come confess to thinking all white people smell funny and milky

LET IT OUT LET IT OUT

 

[shintoki]

The number of qualifications you had to make in the OP should have told you this would not end well.

He could of fit in a few more still.

 

[Dali]

:lol I see some are not familiar with the whole India BO thing.

Well, just remember that soap almost always contain cow fat. And you know how cows are considered in Hinduism.

Is that what it is? That makes a lot of sense.

Ive never really noticed a particular aroma specific to any race really and I converse/hang around alot of different nationalities living in Australia..

Spoiler

*backs away from thread slowly*

I don't attribute it to be an innate attribute specific to Indian people.

The number of qualifications you had to make in the OP should have told you this would not end well.

The words in the OP is only the half of it.

 

[MThanded]

I have experienced your example multiple times. Not sure of why

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080516091457AAc2Txg

 

[_Isaac]

I've never noticed the Indian smell, but my mother has mentioned it several times.

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

Why do Canadians put milk in bags? I've been trying to figure this out for a while now.

Goddamn milkbaggers.

 

[joey_z]

I guess one that would eventually come up would be why a larger proportion of african americans are involved in more criminal activity in relation to other races in America. The statistics are there. I would guess the primary cause is how african americans very recently got integrated into society, so there's very little old money running amongst them. Fewer past opportunities means poorer families which leads to more crime.

 

[harSon]

Not really a stereotype but as someone who lives in an area with a large population of Asians and someone who is part Japanese himself, why do Asians tend to only associate themselves with other Asians? Other ethnicities do this as well but not nearly as much as Asians from what I've noticed. Even Asians who are 2-3 generations removed from their relative's country of origin do it.

It can't be a matter of culture since "Americanized" Asians are guilty of it as well, not to mention the fact that these pockets typically consist of a diverse demographic of Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, etc).

 

[Medalion]

Why do Canadians put milk in bags? I've been trying to figure this out for a while now.


Ignis Fatuus
Really REALLY angry at Canada. For some reason.
(Today, 11:02 PM)
Reply | Quote

This is not a common thing in Canada, only in some locations that are little more backwards less metropolitan from my observation. I've lived in eastern and western Canada.

 

[Davidion]

Is that what it is? That makes a lot of sense.

And as I edited in, this applies to many deodorants as well.

This is why many people whose friends of the Hindu/Indian persuation are more westernized often won't notice such a stereotype; there are practicing Hindus who can still avoid eating beef or wear leather but won't go so far as to not use soap and deodorants.

 

[MThanded]

I guess one that would eventually come up would be why a larger proportion of african americans are involved in more criminal activity in relation to other races in America. The statistics are there. I would guess the primary cause is how african americans very recently got integrated into society, so there's very little old money running amongst them. Fewer past opportunities means poorer families which leads to more crime.

Low income communities. There is your answer. Its more a economics thing than anything else. Middle/upper class people are not involved in these crimes.

 

[nyong]

I think a lot of unique smells come from diet. Oddly enough, after spending lots and lots of time overseas, you get totally used to it and don't even notice it. Seriously.

 

[adg1034]

Why are Canadians afraid of the dark?

 

[joey_z]

Low income communities. There is your answer.

Not a root cause though. But yes, that is what I was getting at. Poorer communities leads to more crime. The connection is self evident.

 

[ShadyLurker]

This is not a common thing in Canada, only in some locations that are little more backwards less metropolitan from my observation. I've lived in eastern and western Canada.

It's common in South-Western Ontario, the most densely populated area of Canada.

 

[giga]

I guess one that would eventually come up would be why a larger proportion of african americans are involved in more criminal activity in relation to other races in America. The statistics are there. I would guess the primary cause is how african americans very recently got integrated into society, so there's very little old money running amongst them. Fewer past opportunities means poorer families which leads to more crime.

You got the gist of it with structural policies (redlining, suburbanization, deindustrialization) which had large implications in the wealth of black families. Low wealth, low equity in communities, less educational funding, low graduates, no jobs -> high incarceration.

 

[harSon]

Not a root cause though. But yes, that is what I was getting at. Poorer communities leads to more crime. The connection is self evident.

The root cause is pretty obvious as well. Blacks were property from the 17th Century to the late 19th Century, and when they were freed, they were second class citizens until the late 1960s.

There's obviously a lot that happened between the 1960s and today...

 

[siddx]

Stereotypes all come from some kernel of truth, sometimes quite true, others barely true at all or twisted truths. For instance I recall reading years ago that the chicken and black people stereotype dates back to when blacks were first "freed" from slavery. They couldn't afford more expensive farm animals like pigs or cows, so they commonly had chickens. Besides being far cheaper to maintain, they made a perfect meal for lunch when they went to work. Typically a single piece of chicken, a slice of watermelon, and some bread. This boxed lunch was so common the stereotype was born.
That and chicken is fucking delicious.
The problem arises when a stereotype is used in an attempt to hurt someone, or when the stereotype comes from an exaggeration that was created to stir up fear and hatred. Such as jewish people being greedy, or in the 19th and early 20th century, a common and widely spread stereotype in the US was that black men couldn't control themselves sexually and would rape women at the slightest provocation. Both helped fuel hatred, suspicion and anger and both came from isolated incidents that were not indicative of the people they were labeled on.

 

[Medalion]

It's common in South-Western Ontario, the most densely populated area of Canada.

I lived in London Ontario for half of my life, never once saw that shit till I moved back many years later to Kitchener/Waterloo.

 

[ScientificNinja]

I don't know about racial stereotypes, but the girl sitting about ten feet away from me in the office smells strongly of freshly cut onions. She's 21, about 5'2", slim, Vietnamese, has a very sweet personality, not attractive but not ugly either… she just smells like fucking ass. Like an animal took a shit on her armpits in her sleep and she never bothered to shower. And I don't think she's aware of it. At all. I honestly don't know how it's possible, and all the other women in the office act as though there's nothing going on. But god, every time she comes to my desk with new papers to process… fucking oath I don't think I've ever experienced such an uncontrollable urge to puke.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

Ive never really noticed a particular aroma specific to any race really and I converse/hang around alot of different nationalities living in Australia..

Spoiler

*backs away from thread slowly*

I have noticed a very strong smell when I’ve gotten into certain taxi cabs. I’ve had to open the window in order to not be engulfed by it. This has happened twice and both times the driver was an older Indian dude. I always assumed it was one of the following:

a) Someone puked in the back seat and the smell has never gone away
b) The dude never cleans his cab
c) The dude habitually eats in his cab and stuff spilled
d) The dude is the one who smells

I'm thinking it's a or b.

 

[Uncompromisable]

This is not a common thing in Canada, only in some locations that are little more backwards less metropolitan from my observation. I've lived in eastern and western Canada.

Milk bags are the best. Basically, you get 4 liters of milk for around the same price as 2 liters. You get 3 or 4 bags, so the ones that have yet to be opened stay fresh. I lived in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver and milk bags are everywhere, not sure where you've been.

The irrational fear of milk bags is what's funny.


Here's my stereotype:
Why are brazilians so friendly?

 

[Invisible_Insane]

I'm guessing diet as well. I'm in college right now and I have a number of Indian friends who smell Indian-er when they come back from breaks and their mothers have been cooking for them.

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

Why are Canadians afraid of the dark?

Same reason they wet the bed, I assume.

 

[Nex Superne]

A lot of the spices commonly used in traditional Indian food (cumin, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, various mustard seeds etc.) can produce a strong body odor.

Hygiene practices can exacerbate the odor, but I think diet is the main reason for it.

 

[Davidion]

I guess one that would eventually come up would be why a larger proportion of african americans are involved in more criminal activity in relation to other races in America. The statistics are there. I would guess the primary cause is how african americans very recently got integrated into society, so there's very little old money running amongst them. Fewer past opportunities means poorer families which leads to more crime.

I'm no expert, but a few of my friends who are more knowledgeable about the history of Blacks in America have attributed it to Slavery and lingering effects of racism in American society in general.

I believe the adage is something like "If you break a horse right, it'll always stay broken".

Just something I've heard.

Not really a stereotype but as someone who lives in an area with a large population of Asians and someone who is part Japanese himself, why do Asians tend to only associate themselves with other Asians? Other ethnicities do this as well but not nearly as much as Asians from what I've noticed. Even Asians who are 2-3 generations removed from their relative's country of origin do it.

It can't be a matter of culture since "Americanized" Asians are guilty of it as well, not to mention the fact that these pockets typically consist of a diverse demographic of Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, etc).

Asians' (in more severe cases) xenophobia and general aversion to foreign cultures often stem from a combination of their historical lack of exposure to other cultures and a history of violence that's often associated with, well...white people. This leads the Asians popular perception of foreign cultures to be very shallow and often laden with a lot of generalities and misconceptions as a result thereof. Look at the popular Asian perceptions of other ethnicities and cultures, it's often an exaggerated take on any given social stereotypes.

Throw into the mix social advocacy of familial loyalty and filial obligations, and you get cultures that tend to be more insulated and than most.

 

[ShadyLurker]

I lived in London Ontario for half of my life, never once saw that shit till I moved back many years later to Kitchener/Waterloo.

Huh, strange, I live just 15 minutes or so away near St. Thomas and I've always seen it. Of course, I don't know how long ago "half your life" was so maybe they changed it a while ago.

 

[giga]

A lot of the spices commonly used in traditional Indian food (cumin, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, various mustard seeds etc.) can produce a strong body odor.

Hygiene practices can exacerbate the odor, but I think diet is the main reason for it.

Doubt it's diet as much as hygiene, as modern/western people from South Asia don't smell nearly as bad yet maintain similar diets.

 

[Nex Superne]

I'm guessing diet as well. I'm in college right now and I have a number of Indian friends who smell Indian-er when they come back from breaks and their mothers have been cooking for them.

I like that phrasing :lol

 

[harSon]

I'm no expert, but a few of my friends who are more knowledgeable about the history of Blacks in America have attributed it to Slavery and lingering effects of racism in American society in general.

I believe the adage is something like "If you break a horse right, it'll always stay broken".

Just something I've heard.

It's a HUGE part of it but we've definitely shot ourselves in the foot on more than one occasion.

 

[-COOLIO-]

im pretty sure curry does give you distinct BO.

the cow fat in soap thing is another good point.

 

[george_us]

One question I've had is why is it I've only seen Asian girls rocking high heels lately? I'm talking full on 6 inch heels.

 

[Snuggles]

Why do white people love mayonnaise so much?

 

[ShadyLurker]

One questions I've had is why is it I've only seen Asian girls rocking high heels lately? I'm talking full on 6 inch heels.

You live in Japan.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

One questions I've had is why is it I've only seen Asian girls rocking high heels lately? I'm talking full on 6 inch heels.

Asian girls tend to be on the petite side.

 

[Davidion]

Asian girls tend to be on the short side.

Slight correction.

 

[Nex Superne]

Doubt it's diet as much as hygiene, as modern/western people from South Asia don't smell nearly as bad yet maintain similar diets.

More Westernized people from the region usually don't eat traditional curries on a daily basis though (and I mean consistently, lunch and dinner, day in and day out). They won't necessarily eat a completely Western-style diet, but the traditional food generally isn't as prominent. Since most curries are extremely labor intensive and require fresh spices (which are difficult to get in certain areas), many Westernized South Indians don't bother making it from scratch. Freshly ground cumin is a powerful smell.

 

[entremet]

Nice discussion. I was expecting worse. One stereotype that has always fascinated me is how Americans view family. I'm Hispanic American and my family has always been self supportive and extremely interdependent. I notice this in Asian and European cultures as well, but in contemporary American culture family seems colder and distant for some reason. Not really ethnicity thing, though.

 

[PolarBearsClub]

It's not just Canada that puts milk in bags. Pretty sure South and Central America does it too.

When I visited family in Colombia a few years ago they had huge bags of ketchup with a picture of a bottle of ketchup on them.

 

[-COOLIO-]

why are Canadians so tolerant and good looking?

 

[zoku88]

I'm no expert, but a few of my friends who are more knowledgeable about the history of Blacks in America have attributed it to Slavery and lingering effects of racism in American society in general.

I believe the adage is something like "If you break a horse right, it'll always stay broken".

Just something I've heard.

I'm sure it's more to do with the fact the black people who commit crimes most likely come from poor families. Also grow up in not-so-good places.

And, of course, they end up being poor. So their kids act the same way.

That would be my guess. I'd think that poorer people commit more of those types of crimes. Could probably be helped if we knocked out generational poverty.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

Why do white people love mayonnaise so much?

It's not just white people. Latinos do as well. Chicken, mayo and avocado sammiches <3

Nice discussion. I was expecting worse. One stereotype that has always fascinated me is how Americans view family. I'm Hispanic American and my family has always been self supportive and extremely interdependent. I notice this in Asian and European cultures as well, but in contemporary American culture family seems colder and distant for some reason. Not really ethnicity thing, though.

I've noticed this in Aussies. My girlfriend tells my Mum stories about how her family is fighting over this and that, how some haven't spoken in years and the skullduggery that happens over every little advantage. Mum just sits there horrified.

My girlfriend also tells me about how she and her parents would swear at each other growing up. She told it like it was a funny story and I was like O_O.

 

[Boogie]

Huh, strange, I live just 15 minutes or so away near St. Thomas and I've always seen it. Of course, I don't know how long ago "half your life" was so maybe they changed it a while ago.

Ew, admitting to living in St. Thomas...

Spoiler

I grew up in Aylmer /shame