Unlike in the past, today the world has become close-knit with digital technologies and more convenient travel modes. The airplane has been a blessing for all those living thousands of kilometers away. With such effortless traveling, the tourist industry has also grown tremendously. Now people want to explore countries outside their countries and know more about other cultures and places. Locals also get the opportunity to welcome tourists and interact with them. All in all west and east are not far from each other now, they have come together.
Below are some of the top ten stereotypes of visitors visiting Asia-
Asians excel at math.
In Asia, a lot of emphasis is laid on education and therefore there has been common thinking or stereotype among people that Asians mathematics is good. Asians might do well academically but it does not mean that all Asians are good at Maths. Now it has been a famous joke that B+ would be considered as an Asian F. Now it is not true. Instead, this perception of people puts pressure on people to live up to their image.
All women in India wear sarees
It is a very popular stereotype that Indians wear Saree. Now definitely saree is a traditional dress of India but not every Indian wears saree. Different states in India have a different cultural dresses that they carry proudly. In India, people wear everything from saree, gowns, lehengas, to jeans and tops. There have been different attire for different occasions. The saree tradition in India is slowly fading away as the new generation might not even know how to drape a saree. Now, all in all, this stereotype needs to be put at rest.
Cuisine is Spicy
India is a diverse country as with each boundary in India you cross, you come across different cultures and traditions. Every place has its unique vibe in India. Now Indian food has been famous all over the world and everyone has tasted it once in a while irrespective of in which corner you are living across the world. You will get spicy yet tasty food. The Punjabi cuisine in India is spicy and therefore everyone thinks that all over India you get spicy food but it is not true. Different regions in India have different cuisine and all these cuisines are not spicy. If you visit south India then you will see people using coconut and rice and if you visit east India you will see people eating seafood like fish and prawns. So, tagging India as having spicy food is not the correct representation of Indian cuisine.
All Indians are Good at Yoga
Many foreigners come to India for their spiritual and yogic journey as India provides one of the best experiences in it but making a perception that all Indians know and do yoga is an incorrect notion. Many Indians do not even do yoga and are not even interested in putting their step forward in the field of yoga. Yoga is an art that cannot be excelled in one day, rather it requires time, dedication, and will to learn it. People need to take out time for yoga. In today’s time, everyone is having a hectic life and therefore they are trying to complete their daily chores on time. Yoga cannot be learned overnight. It takes weeks or even years to master. We all live such a busy life, juggling paycheck to paycheck, that we rarely get time to do yoga asanas, ahem, meet our hands with our toes. Hence, there are those factors.
What’s your ethnicity? Are you Korean, Japanese, or Chinese? Can you name any Lee, Kim, or Chang people you know?
Okay! Now, It is very common with people living in Asia. Yes, ‘I am Ken lee and Bruce Lee is my dad. Just because people share common names does not mean that the person is in some way connected to the famous identities. Asians often come across a common question where their originality is being asked. One of the most common eye-rolls; implies Asians are all linked in some way or know each other. Your attempt to connect with Asians on a social level is seen but 99.9% time they do not know the popular celebrities.
The Asian population isn’t particularly athletic unless they are practicing martial arts.
Now, this myth has been largely created by the Hollywood media or film industry by showcasing Asians as being experts in martial arts and doing all kinds of fights in a movie. Asians are tough and attractive in movies like Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid, Zhang Ziyi in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Bruce Lee throughout the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, but there has not been much progress in media portraying Asians in some other light since. But there have been other celebrities like Jeremy Lin, and Michelle Wie who are athletes and still trying to break the stereotype.
Visiting Asia means visiting the Taj Mahal
If you have not seen the Taj Mahal in India while visiting Asia then you have not seen Asia. It is a very common perspective but that is not true. In Asia, there are many amazing places to explore and know about them. In fact when travelers visit India and if they skip the taj mahal then it is considered that they have not explored India. In reality, it isn’t like that. The Taj Mahal indeed contributes to the identity of our country, but it can’t be said to be the most crucial part of it. It is a blessing to be located near one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Nonetheless, there is so much more to see in this remarkable country.
It Is Not All About Hyper Movements in Bollywood Dance
First of all, Indian cinema is not all about dancing around the tree, rather it shows the emotions in the most artistic form which creates a great impact. The common misconception is that every time someone dances to a Bollywood song, they need to dance their heart out. Only the beat makes us go off the deep end yet in any case, kindly don’t confine this dance structure to only a Bhangra venture with the arms and hellfire of hyper developments!
India is a poor country in Asia
Slumdog Millionaire won like 100 honors, yet that is not what’s genuinely going on with genuine India. You ought to realize that Indians generally figure out how to come to the main ten rundowns of wealthiest individuals by a few magazines. The various photos that have depicted India through shots of unfortunate children who are grinning at the camera or close-up shots of corroded looking, elderly people ladies/men wearing vivid garments and again grinning at the camera, have sort of made up a picture of our country that is featuring only one part of it. That as well, not with the entirety of its accuracy. A greater part of Indians is poor, yes. Yet, they are distraught about it all the time as portrayed in the photos.
Traveling In Asia Is dangerous
Voyaging anyplace all over the planet could be risky if you have not done the proper research about the place. All things considered, Asia is very much like going to any other continent. When someone from the west visits Asia they are considered brave and adventurous which is a very wrong portrayal of the continent. Traveling Asia is as safe as visiting any other country across the globe.
