Introduction
- Often when we try to define our identity we get trapped in stereotypes.
Task
1.- Read the article. Is the article about…
a) Fashion b) Stereotypes c) Discrimination
2.- Reading
Often when we try to define our identity we get trapped in stereotypes. First impressions can be dangerous because you can be categorized as a particular type of person which has nothing to do with you. Stereotypes are beliefs about people based on their membership in a particular group. They can be positive, negative, or neutral. Stereotypes based on gender, ethnicity, or occupation are common in many societies.
The tendency is to believe that if you come from a tropical climate then you wear multi coloured clothes, and you are often extroverted and love singing and dancing in the street. It is also said that people from the cold countries are very reserved and don’t show their emotions easily. These people usually wear extra warm coats, scarves, gloves, ear-muffs and all kinds of hats to keep the cold out, especially in winter. So, can we say they are old-fashioned and boring because they are not wearing shorts which are the latest fashion?
In some countries, people wear traditional dress in a stylish modern way, like the women in India who wear saris with sunglasses and the many new styles of turban that men and women are wearing in countries where people wrap their heads. Some people prefer natural fibres and others prefer more industrial fabrics. Does this mean they have a defined personality type?
What about young people? In this age of communication, youngsters all around the world follow their own trends and you will find a teenager with spiked dyed hair as well as piercing, chatting on the Internet with a friend on the other side of the globe who is wearing baggy clothes and has a shaggy haircut. However, both are probably wearing trainers on their feet and share the same musical preferences. Whatever their appearances, tall or short, slim or broad or wearing vintage clothes, will this image tell us about someone’s behavior?
We tend to form stereotypes simply because our brains like to put information in order. It is easier to remember things or people if we put them into categories. This developmental theory however should not make us label people just because they remind us of something or someone. We need to get to know the other person before we form an opinion of them. Have you ever formed an opinion about somebody that was completely wrong?
2.1 Match the words with their definition
| Identity | .............. An energetic person, who likes being with other people. |
| Stereotypes | .............. Long untidy hair style. |
| Extroverted | .............. A style that is popular at particular time. |
| Reserved | .............. A person who doesn't talk very much about his/her feelings. |
| Fashion | ............. Hanging loosely. |
| Piercing | ............. Qualities of a person different from others. |
| Shaggy haircut | ............ An idea about someone. It can be positive or negative. |
| Baggy clothes | ............ A hole made in the body for wearing jewelry. |
2.2 Read the text and match the sentences.
| 1. If you come from a tropical climate | ............ saris with sunglasses |
| 2. People from cold countries. | ........... before we form and opinion. |
| 3. In India women wear | ........... follow their trends. |
| 4. We tend to form stereotypes | ........... you wear multi-colored clothes |
| 5. Youngsters all around the world. | ........... don't show their emotions easily. |
| 6. We need toknow the other person | .......... because our brains like to put information in order. |
Process
3.- Vocabulary: Find words in the text to complete this table:
|
Hair |
Clothes |
People |
4.- Complete the diagram with information from the text.
Appearance - Young People - Stereotypes - Weather - Clothes
5.- E-mail: Read this e-mail from Pablo to his friend Mark. He has just arrived in London to study English in Cambridge.E-mail:
Hi Mark,
What a wonderful city London is. I had a totally different idea of what I would find. Everybody says that British people are very reserved (that they love their pets more than people!), that they dress traditionally and eat fish and chips. To tell you the truth I find them quite outgoing, polite and helpful. I never imagined! I would find such a large multi-cultural city, people from all over the world wearing incredible clothes; soft materials and very bright colours in trousers and dresses, all shapes and sizes; wonderful headdresses like the turbans and scarves worn in so many different ways. I’m really living a cultural shock but very pleased to be here. Hope to see you soon in Cambridge.
Cheers, Pablo.
2.- Complete this chart with information from the text.
Adjective - City - Nationality -- Food -- Personality - People
Evaluation
Create an e-mail to describe people in Bio Bio region.
Conclusion
Give complete answer to these questions:
What is an stereotype?
Does weather affect people's personality?