Stereotypes

The other day some friends started a conversation about stereotypes and whether stereotyping was good/bad, necessary/unnecessary, etc. I think it is natural and if it is based on something solid, stereotypes can be very valid.

The Chinese think Americans are by and large fat but nice. Compared to Chinese, we are fat. And compared to Chinese in groups, we are nice (as in polite). If you select individuals from the general population, obviously not everyone holds to the general rules. There are thin, rude Americans.

If you understand the logic behind your stereotype, it can be very valuable. Most Muslims aren't terrorists, but most terrorists are Muslims. And compared to other cultures, Americans don't tend to be as inquisitive about other countries and we don't tend to travel as much. That last part is a fact, the first part is a general observation.

The Chinese tend to place great emphasis on education, particularly math and science. They do not have universal access to education as you would find in the States, so much of the population is uneducated, but that will change. The 20-something generation and older tends to eat much healthier than we do in the west and so they are much slimmer. Environmental factors in their food and air (many carcinogens) and far inferior health care contribute to a shorter lifespan despite the healthy diet. All stereotypes, but largely accurate.

And they like to gamble.

China's total lottery sales in 2007 had exceeded 100 billion yuan (some 13.7 billion U.S. dollars) by Sunday, an increase of 18 billion yuan or 20 percent over last year, setting a 20-year record in China's lottery history. Of the total sales, 62 billion yuan went to social welfare lottery while 38 billion yuan belonged to sports lottery, according to the latest issue of the China Philanthropy Times.

Pretty amazing when you realize that the average annual disposable income in 2006 was around US$2,800 and there are 806 million people in the work force (so that $2,800 is supporting more than one person). That's a lot of people participating in the lottery.

The casino business in Macao overtook Las Vegas this year, and I'm told that the Chinese do not look for the same pomp that thrill in their gaming excursions. They are there to gamble, not to see Celine sing.