The Gay Thread

[Chernabog]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

What he said.

There's a word for this - stereotyping.

Isn't this type of behavior what we're supposed to be avoiding?

Not in my book, and I really think it depends on the stereotype. Stereotypes come from somewhere. A guy can love Cher, liberally use the phrase "girl!", work as a hairdresser AND be straight. But you can safely assume he's gay unless proven otherwise, instead of the other way around.

That's pretty much how gaydar works, and why Europeans throw off my gaydar bigtime -- I'm not up and up on how gay europeans stereotypically act that is different from straight ones.

On the other hand, we shouldn't safely assume that an Arab is a terrorist unless proven otherwise. Again, it just depends on the stereotype.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Chernabog

Again, it just depends on the stereotype.

I assume the mechanism on which it depends is "whether I engage in it or not"?

[Chernabog]

Originally Posted by Alex

I assume the mechanism on which it depends is "whether I engage in it or not"?

No, I am not that egotistical.

I did however do a quick google search and found this to be interesting:

While reading Nancy Adler's excellent International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior I came across this reflexion on stereotypes which made me rethink my first judgement, ie. stereotypes are bad™.

Stereotypes, like other forms of categories, can be helpful or harmful depending on how we use them. Effective stereotyping allows people to understand and act appropriately in new situations. A stereotype becomes helpful when it is:
*Consciously held. People should be aware they are describing a group norm rather than the characteristics of a specific individual.
*Descriptive rather than evaluative. The stereotype should describe what people from this group will probably be like and not evaluate the people as good or bad.
*Accurate. The stereotype should accurately describe the norm for the group to which the person belongs
*The first best guess about a group prior to acquiring information about the specific person or persons involved
*Modified, based on further observation and experience with the actual people and situations.

The interesting part about stereotypes in the end is that they can be used as a tool which provides us with the necessary caution or distance we might need to avoid culture shock. Knowing that the Germans are always on time might save the day when you show up at a business meeting, although of course, there are Germans who are constantly late. But trust me, not all French wear a béret, although many do like baguette.

Just interesting food for thought.