History NationalStereotypes / WesternEurope

* Spain is also often stereotyped as being a Catholic nation, even although for most of the Middle Ages the Iberian Peninsula was mostly Muslim (See UsefulNotes/MoorishSpain) and currently most of its population has various levels of anti-religion sentiment, going from mild in general to downright savage by American standards (Spaniards do love religious tradition, though, with Creator/AntonioBanderas being far from the only non-believer who still performs at Holy Week).

** Spaniards can be portrayed as secretly (or not so secretly) longing to bring back the Spanish Empire, sometimes including UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition if religious and/or traditional enough.

** Basques are popularly depicted as boastful, larger-than-life bruisers, especially due to folk sports of strength like harri-jasotze and Basque pelota. Witches too, due to folklore and the influence of the UsefulNotes/ZugarramurdiWitchTrials. And of course, terrorists.

** Andalusians in general are universally considered lazy, uncultured and indulging in multiple hour-long siestas, as well as being talkative yet having an untelligibly heavy accent. Often, they are petty, jackknife-wielding criminals too. Many a LowerClassLout stereotype comes from this.

** Extremadurans have two different but related stereotypes: hillbillies (because it used to be an underveloped, backwards land, and still is compared to others) and conquistadors (because poverty moved many 16th century Extremadurans to try luck in the Indies, with the result that almost all the major conquistadors, like Cortés, Pizarro, Alvarado, Balboa and Orellana, hailed from there).

** Galicians are depicted as being obssessed with their Celtic origins, indulging in pseudo-pagan customs like the ''queimada'' (popularly considered to be ancient, but actually medieval at most) and being superstitious about it. Also, as among the Basques, lots of witch culture, although with a stronger presence of [[GoodWitchVersusBadWitch Good Witches]] (they even have a ''Saint'' witch of all things, St. Columba of Sens).
** Asturians, by comparison, are depicted as fist-pumping patriots who love their historical role in UsefulNotes/SpanishReconquista.

* The Balearic Islands, in particular Ibiza, has gotten a stereotype of being a hub for young Europeans to party and do drugs.
** On a more positive note, Balearic Islanders, in particular Mallorca are renowned for their [[SufferTheSlings skill with the sling]]. Even to this day, they have slinging competitions.

** Andalusians in general are universally considered lazy, uncultured and indulging in multiple hour-long siestas. Often, they are petty, jackknife-wielding criminals too. Many a LowerClassLout stereotype comes from this.

*** In particular, Extremadura's most northern parts, Las Hurdes, used to be stereotyped as a mine of HillbillyHorrors, with plenty of inbreeding and a weird folklore full of monsters.
** Galicians are depicted as being obssessed with their Celtic origins, indulging in pseudo-pagan customs like the ''queimada'' (popularly considered to be ancient, but actually medieval at most). Also, as among the Basques, lots of witch culture, although with a stronger presence of [[GoodWitchVersusBadWitch Good Witches]] (they even have a ''Saint'' witch of all things, St. Columba of Sens).

* EuropeansAreKinky: Especially continental Europe and Scandinavia have a reputation for being far more liberated and open-minded about sex and nudity, compared to the United States of America and Asia. Many erotic exotic foreigner stereotypes are from European descent such as Scandinavia (SexyScandinavian), the Netherlands (FreeStateAmsterdam, thanks to legalized prostitution), France (EveryoneLooksSexierIfFrench, EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench), Spain and Italy (LatinLover, beach topless, intense night life), and Eastern Europe, the Baltic Countries and Russia (SensualSlavs). There's some TruthInTelevision to this: a lot of works depicting sex and nudity causing excitement or controversy in other continents hardly bat an eye in Europe. But, of course, this doesn't mean all Europeans are like that. [[BritishStuffiness The United Kingdom]] and Ireland, two islands separate from Continental Europe, are far more prudish and, speaking of Ireland, many predominantly Catholic countries in Europe like Spain, Poland or Italy tend to be less easygoing on some aspects of the topic than others (although, ironically, they can also be it even more in other aspects - as we say, it is complicated). Also, even in other European countries you're liable to find people who are more reserved about the matter.

* The most enduring image about Spain is the bull. According to many stereotypes, Spaniards are all bullfighters and/or love to watch these fights in a huge arena. They may also participate in the ''encierro'' (''Running of the Bulls'') in Pamplona, often getting get horribly maimed in the process. This stereotype has become a bit outdated since the second half of the 20th century, as nowadays not all Spaniards are that fond anymore of massacring innocent animals in front of hundreds of spectators. On the Canary Islands and in Catalonia the sport is even forbidden.

*** Spaniards are often depicted as dark-haired people with a suntanned skin, often conflated with LatinoIsBrown.

* Spain is also often stereotyped as being a Catholic nation, even although for most of the Middle Ages it was a Muslim country (See UsefulNotes/MoorishSpain) and currently most of its population has various levels of anti-religion sentiment, going from mild in general to downright savage by American standards (they do love religious tradition, though, with Creator/AntonioBanderas being far from the only non-believer who still performs at Holy Week).
* Many stereotypes about Spain date back to the 16th and 17th century when the Spanish Empire was the most powerful country in the world. Expect references to the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Spanish Armada]], UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition, and their famous explorers and conquistadores like UsefulNotes/HernanCortez -- who conquered Mexico -- UsefulNotes/FranciscoPizarro -- who conquered Peru --, UsefulNotes/VascoNunezDeBalboa -- who discovered the Pacific Ocean -- Juan Ponce de Leon -- who discovered Florida -- and UsefulNotes/ChristopherColumbus -- who was the first European to reach America (after Leif Ericson preceeded him four centuries earlier). Columbus also discovered present-day San Salvador, Cuba, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Granada.[[note]] He was actually an Italian working for the Spanish crown, though[[/note]].

** Spanish people are also frequently stereotyped as being lazy, an impression derived from their daily siestas.

** People from Lepe (a town in Huelva, well known for its strawberries) are the butt of many jokes about them being stupid and slow-minded.
** Andalusians in general are universally considered lazy and indulging in multiple hour-long siestas.

** The native Monégasque ''adore'' Rainier's son Prince Albert (in much the same way the UK's Queen Elizabeth is almost universally beloved) -- most likely because he acts as the official protectorate for the 8,000 or so indigenous inhabitants, providing them with rent-controlled, allocated housing that most visitors couldn't even ''dream'' of affording. Amongst the (very) nearby French, this indulgence lends the Monégasques a slightly child-like, blasé, happy, but often superior vibe.

* The country is also associated with biking and bicycle tourism. While not uncommon in other nations too, the Dutch use this vehicle far more often than other European countries. A lot of the infrastructure, especially in urban areas, has been adapted for bicycle users, and laws were adopted to protect bikers from reckless car users. Even Dutch Prime Ministers and the queen have been seen biking to their office in broad daylight.

* UsefulNotes/TheBritishRoyalFamily is easily the world's most famous monarchy, so expect the various members to turn up, usually for [[Film/TheNakedGun comedic]] or [[Film/TheQueen dramatic]] [[Series/TheCrown effect]], in a variety of works -- from TV to films, books, and even videogames. Since Queen UsefulNotes/ElizabethII is the best-known monarch in the world, she's turned up quite a lot in fiction, usually as an AnonymousRinger or InvisiblePresident, in part due to her function as a constitutional monarch. Usually she will be knighting somebody or be surrounded by her corgi dogs. Another pop culture mainstay is Prince Charles, and Princess Diana who, before her untimely death, was dubbed "the most famous woman in the world". Whilst other European nations still retain a monarchy (Norway, Sweden, Denmark etc), they tend to be far more low-key, and lack the global hype and interest.

* EuropeansAreKinky: Especially continental Europe and Scandinavia have a reputation for being far more liberated and open-minded about sex and nudity, compared to the United States of America and Asia. Many erotic exotic foreigner stereotypes are from European descent such as Scandinavia (SexyScandinavian), the Netherlands (FreeStateAmsterdam, thanks to legalized prostitution), France (EveryoneLooksSexierIfFrench, EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench), Spain, Italy (LatinLover), Eastern Europe, the Baltic Countries and Russia (SensualSlavs). There's some TruthInTelevision to this: a lot of works depicting sex and nudity causing excitement or controversy in other continents hardly bat an eye in Europe. But, of course, this doesn't mean all Europeans are like that. [[BritishStuffiness The United Kingdom]] and Ireland, two islands separate from Continental Europe, are far more prudish and, speaking of Ireland, many predominantly Catholic countries in Europe like Spain, Poland or Italy tend to be less easygoing on the topic than others. Also, even in other European countries you're liable to find people who are more reserved about the matter.

** Particularly from the 15th century on various European countries started exploring the world and colonizing every country they set foot on. The most prominent European countries with colonies were Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia and to a lesser extent Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium. The legacy of these times is still felt, mostly because the Europeans totally uprooted the civilization and culture that pre-existed their contact, and in many cases destroying much culture and leaving little possibility for reconstruction outside of their own extremely biased sources[[note]]For instance, the Mayan language and culture was deliberately destroyed by Spanish missionary and colonialists, and it was only deciphered in the 20th Century by Soviet linguist Yuri Knozorov who studied a document by a missionary Bishop Diego de Landa gloating about his actions destroying the Mayan culture by itemizing the Mayan alphabet next to Spanish versions.[[/note]].
** Some former colonies respect their former "mother land" for modernizing them and regard them as a political/economical/military ally. However, most of them, especially in the Third World, still hold a grudge. After all, European settlers enslaved and executed them, robbed them of their riches, degraded them to second rate citizenship and resisted their independence movement for a very long time. When the countries became independent several succumbed to civil war, poverty and/or dictatorships, often with knowledge and/or support from European powers.

* Portuguese are generally known as explorers, thanks to Vasco da Gama -- the first to travel around Africa and actually reach India- Henry the Navigator -- who financed many Portuguese martitime expeditions -- Bartolomeo Dias -- the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa and reach the Indian Ocean from the Atlantic -- Pedro Alvares Cabral -- who discovered Brazil -- and Ferdinand Magellan -- who was the first to circumnavigate across the entire globe.

* A common Portuguese stereotype in Spain is that Portuguese women are ugly, unattractive and never shave.

* The most enduring image about Spain is the bull. According to many stereotypes, Spaniards are all bullfighters and/or love to watch these fights in a huge arena. They may also participate in the ''encierro'' (''Running of the Bulls'') in Pamplona and get horribly wounded in the process. This stereotype has become a bit outdated since the second half of the 20th century. Nowadays not all Spaniards are that fond anymore of massacring an innocent animal in front of hundreds of spectators. On the Canary Islands and in Catalonia the sport is even forbidden.
** DashingHispanic and TorosYFlamenco: Bullfighting is one of the things that lead to the idea that all Spaniards are prideful, flashy, and dashing matadors, fencers, conquistadores, knights, swashbucklers, masked outlaws, pirates... who elegantly swish their swords, rapiers, knives, or banderillas at their opponents. The men all have black moustaches and wear a bandana or another type of headscarf.

*** Spaniards are often depicted as dark-haired people with a suntanned skin.
** There are shops in Barcelona seemingly devoted to sell souvenirs that only the most clueless foreign tourists would want to buy, like figurines depicting [[TorosYFlamenco Andalusian dancers, bullfighting]] (currently banned in Catalonia) and [[{{Spexico}} Mexican sombreros]].

* Spain is also often stereotyped as being a Catholic nation, even although for most of the Middle Ages it was a Muslim country (See UsefulNotes/MoorishSpain) and currently most of its population has various levels of anti-religion sentiment, going from mild in general to savage by American standards (they do love religious tradition, though, with Creator/AntonioBanderas being far from the only non-believer who still performs at Holy Week).
* Many stereotypes about Spain date back to the 16th and 17th century when the Spanish Empire was the most powerful country in the world. Expect references to the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Spanish Armada]], UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition, and their famous explorers and conquistadores like UsefulNotes/HernanCortez -- who conquered Mexico -- UsefulNotes/FranciscoPizarro -- who conquered Peru --, UsefulNotes/VascoNunezDeBalboa -- who discovered the Pacific Ocean -- Juan Ponce de Leon -- who discovered Florida -- and UsefulNotes/ChristopherColumbus -- who was the first European to reach America (after Leif Ericson preceeded him four centuries earlier). Columbus also discovered present-day San Salvador, Cuba, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Granada.[[note]] He was actually an Italian working for the Spanish crown, though[[/note]].
** All Spaniards, of course, secretly (or not so secretly) long to bring back UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition.

* Also, they really, ''really'' don't like South Americans (or Sudacas). [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veyMu8mZ-VU Sarcastically pointed out in this song]] (by a UsefulNotes/{{Chile}}an group).
** Nah. Although the dub wars on the comment section of any audiovisual content in general and ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', of all things, in particular might appear as if we were all [[{{jerkass}} virulent immature racists]] who [[UsefulNotes/MisplacedNationalism can't get over losing the colonies more than two hundred years ago]] and [[UpperClassTwit deeply resent their freedom far away]] to the point of [[{{Troll}} doing nothing more during our day than hating on those innocent folks]] who just want to be left alone (from a Latin American POV) or innocent users who just want to enjoy ''our'' dubs, culture and sense of humour without [[{{Troll}}an illiterate dumb edgy poser of a teenager]] [[WackyAmericansHaveWackyNames who has a ridiculous (north) american sounding name]] and is still resenting and hateful towards our not-great-nor-horrible-but-rather-cozy-and-''ours'' country for all the (real or fictitious) [[UsefulNotes/MisplacedNationalism grievance commited against the natives and their lands]] despite probably not even having reached majority of age yet and being of [[BoomerangBigot mixed race]], [[{{Irony}} which would mean that ''their'' ancestors would have had way more to do with any misbehavior than those of anybody born in the peninsula]] (from a Spanish POV) the truth is relations between Spaniards and Latin Americans have sweetened a lot since the early waves of Latin American immigration, due to assimilation and, to a lesser degree, [[WeAreStrugglingTogether agreement about]] certain common enemies, depending on the sensibility. [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement And this shouldn't really be expanded upon here]]

* In the Netherlands and Belgium Spain is traditionally seen as the home of UsefulNotes/{{Sinterklaas}}.

** People from Lepe (a town in Huelva, well known for its strawberries) are the butt of many jokes about them being stupid and slow.
** Andalusians in general are sometimes considered lazy.

* Spain is also often stereotyped as being a Catholic nation. Even though for most of the Middle Ages it was a Muslim country (See UsefulNotes/MoorishSpain).
* Many stereotypes about Spain date back to the 16th and 17th century when the Spanish Empire was the most powerful country in the world. Expect references to the Spanish Armada, UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition, and their famous explorers and conquistadores like UsefulNotes/HernanCortez -- who discovered Mexico -- Francisco Pizarro, Vasco Nunez de Balboa -- who discovered the Pacific Ocean -- Juan Ponce de Leon -- who discovered Florida -- and UsefulNotes/ChristopherColumbus -- who was the first European to reach America after Leif Ericson preceeded him four centuries earlier. Columbus also discovered present-day San Salvador, Cuba, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Granada. [[note]] He was actually an Italian working for the Spanish government[[/note]].

* [[UsefulNotes/AngloSaxons Medieval Britain]], with its associated imagery of [[BigFancyCastle castles]], [[SaveThePrincess princesses]] and [[KnightInShiningArmor chivalrous knights]], is frequently used as a template to provide the StandardFantasySetting in a ''huge'' variety of works. This is a very old association, stemming from medieval tales, poems and legends like ''Literature/{{Beowulf}}'', ''Myth/KingArthur'', ''Literature/TheCanterburyTales'', ''Myth/RobinHood'', ''Literature/JackTheGiantKiller'', ''Literature/SirGawainAndTheGreenKnight'' and Shakespeare's royal plays. 19th, 20th and 21st century romantic sword and sorcery tales are therefore often set in medieval England (or an approximation thereof) such as ''Literature/{{Ivanhoe}}'', ''ComicStrip/PrinceValiant'', ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' and ''Series/GameOfThrones'', ''TableTopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', ''Franchise/DragonAge''... characters in these works will of course have the applicable [[UsefulNotes/BritishAccents accents]], albeit with [[FakeBrit varying degrees of quality]], based on the actors involved. The association is understandable, particularly as Britain is the pre-colonial cultural origin for many who live in the modern Anglosphere. In fact, there have been instances where fantasy universes that ''weren't'' inexplicably Celtic or Anglo-Saxon, were viewed with hostility -- they just weren't ''right''.

* UsefulNotes/TheBritishRoyalFamily is easily the world's most famous monarchy, so expect the various members to turn up, usually for [[Film/TheNakedGun comedic]] or [[Film/TheQueen dramatic]] [[Series/TheCrown effect]], in a variety of works -- from TV to films, books, and even videogames. Since [[UsefulNotes/HMTheQueen Queen Elizabeth]] is the best-known monarch in the world, she's turned up quite a lot in fiction, usually as an AnonymousRinger or InvisiblePresident, in part due to her function as a constitutional monarch. Usually she will be knighting somebody or be surrounded by her corgi dogs. Another pop culture mainstay is Prince Charles, and Princess Diana who, before her untimely death, was dubbed "the most famous woman in the world". Whilst other European nations still retain a monarchy (Norway, Sweden, Denmark etc), they tend to be far more low-key, and lack the global hype and interest.

* UsefulNotes/TheBritishRoyalFamily is easily the world's most famous monarchy, so expect the various members to turn up, usually for [[Film/TheNakedGun comedic]] or [[Film/TheQueen dramatic]] [[Series/TheCrown effect]], in a variety of works -- from TV to films, books, and even videogames. Since [[UsefulNotes/HMTheQueen Queen Elizabeth]] is the best-known monarch in the world, she's turned up quite a lot in fiction, usually as an AnonymousRinger or InvisiblePresident, in part due to her function as a constitutional monarch. Usually she will be knighting somebody or be surrounded by her corgi dogs. Another pop culture mainstay is Prince Charles, and Princess Diana who, before her untimely death, was dubbed "the most famous woman in the world". Whilst other European nations still retain a monarchy (Norway, Sweden, Denmark etc), they tend to be far mo
re low-key, and lack the global hype and interest.

** MeanBrit: The Britons also have a reputation for producing arrogantly opinionated know-it-alls who will cause commotion in countries where expressing your thoughts that bluntly is considered not done. Examples are Creator/ChristopherHitchens, Music/JohnLydon, UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher, [[Series/TopGear Jeremy Clarkson]], Nigel Farage, [[FashionMagazine Anna Wintour]], [[Series/TheWeakestLink Anne Robinson]], Simon Cowell, Creator/GordonRamsay, ... Some of them can be considered being a charming MagnificentBastard too though, especially in countries (like the USA) where their blunt, honest attitude helps to cut through a saccharine quagmire of ''"good-for-you!"'' schmaltz.

* UsefulNotes/BritishAccents are used to provide the speaker with a witty, sophisticated outlook (see IAmVeryBritish, SmartPeopleSpeakTheQueensEnglish and [[DeadpanSnarker Deadpan]] [[GentlemanSnarker Snarkers]]) This can be the charming, witty, intellectual male Brit (Film/JamesBond, [[Series/TheAvengers1960s John Steed]], Franchise/SherlockHolmes) or the young and sexy EnglishRose type woman ([[Series/TheAvengers1960s Emma Peel]] and various [[BondGirl Bond Girls]]). Characters in historical costume dramas often have British accents, even if the setting has [[TheQueensLatin nothing to do with England]]. Upper-class characters and movie villains are usually represented as TheMeanBrit or EvilBrit. Too often they are depicted as eloquent snobs who are in the end humiliated by someone who is more egalitarian.

*** Ironically, a recent survey found that the British have by far the healthiest teeth in the OECD. The distinction probably lies in the fact that most Brits don't care for bleached and artificially straightened teeth, and mock them with varying degrees of affection. In the case of beloved football players like Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, it's gentle mockery. In the case of Americans as a whole, it tends to be treated as a weird UncannyValley Hollywood export - and one that's increasingly popular in Britain itself.

** The BritishRockStar provides an interesting cultural contrast to the gentleman archetype above, and the UK is equally famous for its [[RockAndRoll Rock]], HeavyMetal and [[PunkRock Punk]] heritage, having arguably produced the most famous, recognizable and iconic bands on the planet; Music/TheBeatles, Music/PinkFloyd, Music/TheRollingStones, Music/TheWho, Music/IronMaiden, Music/LedZeppelin, Music/{{Queen}}, Music/SexPistols (and more). This aspect of British culture is most famously (and lovingly) parodied in the film ''Film/ThisIsSpinalTap'', a mockumentary about a hapless, fictional English HeavyMetal band struggling to remain credible in the early 80's. This impressive musical heritage is apparently a lot to live up to, and the British music press is seemingly on a constant mission to find the "new Beatles."

** Straight examples are to be found in films like ''Film/MasterAndCommander'', which cranks this UpToEleven throughout, ''Film/TheBridgeOnTheRiverKwai'' and perhaps most famously in ''Film/{{Zulu}}'', which depicts the victorious LastStand battle of 139 British soldiers against 5000 Zulu warriors.

* The country is also associated with biking and bicycle tourism. While not uncommon in other nations too, the Dutch use this vehicle far more often than other European countries. Even Dutch Prime Ministers and the queen have been seen biking to their office in broad daylight.
** Another sport closely associated with the Netherlands is ice skating. Dutchmen have won countless gold medals in this discipline.

* In Europe, Dutch people are often depicted as being arrogant and bluntly direct know-it-alls. They talk loud and are very opinionated about every topic. A Dutchman/woman always knows what others do wrong and how they should correct their behaviour. Instead of remaining discreet about it, to spare other people's feelings, or at least discuss it in a polite, tactful manner, they simply shout out what's on their mind, insulting everybody. Their preachiness is usually attributed to their mostly Protestant/Calvinist heritage. So it comes to no surprise that the International Court of Justice is located in The Hague.

** Also, thanks to UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire, the English have a reputation for being racist and MightyWhitey EvilColonialist {{hypocrite}}s who talk of free trade while plundering the world. Anglophobia is common enough in the Middle East, Iran (one adviser called the English "Worse than [[ArchEnemy America]]" (which a proper Empire nostalgist [[IllTakeThatAsACompliment might take as a compliment]])), Asia, Africa and India, that the EvilBrit is still the common stereotype in these films. The likable Englishman here is a Colonel Blimp-esque self-deluding fool who, as in Chinua Achebe's ''Things Fall Apart'', see other lands with blinkered SmallReferencePools and never takes responsibility for the violence inflicted by imperialism, and refuse to fess up to the art theft of the Elgin Marbles, treasures in Beijing, Tipu's Tiger and the Koh-I-Noor diamond.

* UsefulNotes/BritishAccents are used to provide the speaker with a witty, sophisticated outlook (see IAmVeryBritish, SmartPeopleSpeakTheQueensEnglish and [[DeadpanSnarker Deadpan Snarkers]]) This can be the charming, witty, intellectual male Brit (Film/JamesBond, [[Series/TheAvengers1960s John Steed]], Franchise/SherlockHolmes) or the young and sexy EnglishRose type woman ([[Series/TheAvengers1960s Emma Peel]] and various [[BondGirl Bond Girls]]). Characters in historical costume dramas often have British accents, even if the setting has [[TheQueensLatin nothing to do with England]]. Upper-class characters and movie villains are usually represented as TheMeanBrit or EvilBrit. Too often they are depicted as eloquent snobs who are in the end humiliated by someone who is more egalitarian.

** The QuintessentialBritishGentleman has blonde, mousey or shiny black hair, a bushy moustache, is dressed in a bowler hat and black suit, carries an umbrella and interrupts everything for the sake of having his tea (see BritsLoveTea). He is always impeccably polite, sophisticated and proper. Actors like George Arliss, Creator/TerryThomas, Creator/DavidTomlinson [[note]] The father in ''Film/MaryPoppins'' [[/note]], Patrick [=Macnee=] [[note]] as John Steed in ''Series/TheAvengers1960s'' [[/note]] and Creator/JohnCleese have all portrayed/embodied this stereotype, mostly for comedic effect. Creator/HughGrant, [[Creator/ColinFirth Colin "Mr Darcy" Firth]], Creator/RalphFiennes and Creator/HenryCavill are more modern examples, and tend to play characters who embody the smouldering, [[MrFanservice sexier]] side of this trope.

* UsefulNotes/TheBritishRoyalFamily is easily the world's most famous monarchy, so expect the various members to turn up, usually for [[Film/TheNakedGun comedic]] or [[Film/TheQueen dramatic]] [[Series/TheCrown effect]], in a variety of works -- from TV to films, books, and even videogames. Since [[UsefulNotes/HMTheQueen Queen Elizabeth]] is the best-known monarch in the world, she's turned up quite a lot in fiction, usually as an AnonymousRinger or InvisiblePresident, in part due to her function as a constitutional monarch. Usually she will be knighting somebody or be surrounded by her corgi dogs. Another pop culture mainstay is Prince Charles, and Princess Diana who, before her untimely death, was dubbed "the most famous women in the world". Whilst other European nations still retain a monarchy (Norway, Sweden, Denmark etc), they tend to be far more low-key, and lack the global hype and interest.

*** However, in the late New 10s and early 2020s, yet another set of stereotypes is emerging. The negative one is of the social media obsessed footballer/young celebrity, who cares far more about their image and followers than their actual job. The positive one is the socially conscious footballer, who's heavily engaged in charity, leveraging their wealth and social influence to protect the usually far more deprived communities that they came from. Examples of this are Marcus Rashford (Manchester United and England forward) noted for his campaigning on child food poverty which managed to embarrass the Conservative government into a U-Turn on free school meals, Raheem Sterling (Manchester City and England wing-forward) known for his anti-racism campaigning, and Jordan Henderson (Liverpool and England midfielder), organiser of his fellow Premier League captains in a joint effort to support NHS workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, against the highly controversial 'European Super League', and coordinating responses to BLM (after consulting with black fellow and former players), as well as leading a campaign against bullying on social media (testifying before a government panel on online safety and surrendering control of his social media to an awareness group), all of which led to him being dubbed 'The Captain of Everything' by the New York Times.

*** Ironically, a recent survey found that the British have by far the healthiest teeth in the OECD.

** In fact, the only food that the English seem to excel in are sweets and candy.

*** The British are generally known for looking down on their fellow Europeans, dismissively referring to Europe as 'the Continent', Europeans as 'Continentals' and considering pretty much everyone south of The Channel to be a lazy, shiftless bastard. Or, if they're German, potentially a Nazi. The rest of Europe is generally irritated by the UK's constant efforts to remain somewhat independent from the European Union, and have the impression this is more because they want to be the ones to dictate the European political agenda. This impression became even more outspoken when a majority voted to leave the E.U. in 2016.

** Oddly enough, Europeans also have the impression that the English often are far more lewd in their private life. The French idiom "to spank", for instance, is literally called "Le Vice Anglais" (translation: "The English Vice"). Many Britons with a dignified, stuffy, chaste, conservative public image are often caught in surprisingly saucy sex scandals. Historical examples are John Profumo [[note]] a British Minister of Defence who was caught commiting adultery in 1963 with call girl Christine Keeler. If that weren't bad enough Keeler also had contacts with a well known London gangster and a member of the Soviet embassy. As a result Profumo had to resign. [[/note]], Stephen Milligan [[note]] a Conservative politician found dead in 1994, from having auto-erotic asphyxiation sex with his secretary [[/note]] and UsefulNotes/JohnMajor [[note]] A former British Prime Minister who, in 2002, turned out to have had an extramarital affair with politician Edwina Currie, though this happened way before he even became PM. The amusing thing about this was that ''Series/SpittingImage'' had spoofed the ludicrous idea that someone as stuffy as Major would have an extramarital affair in the past - much of the reaction from the press was sheer fascination that the man claimed to be "the only boy who ran away from the circus to become an accountant" could ever do something so interesting. [[/note]] While British tabloids exploit these stories to death the foreign press is especially interested in them. Not because they are above this sort of thing, but "because it's those "stuffy Britons" we're talking about."

* BritainIsOnlyLondon: Only one British location exists in foreign (and sometimes domestic) fiction: UsefulNotes/{{London}}. Whenever the city is depicted in popular culture expect Big Ben and Tower Bridge to appear in view. The WestminsterChimes will resonate throughout the city. The Tower, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussauds, the London Underground, Royal Albert Hall, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Harrod's, Hyde Park, ... may come in view too.

** [[UsefulNotes/LondonTown Londoners/South Easterners]] are stuck up, always in a rush, and see themselves as living in the [[BritainIsOnlyLondon only important part of the nation]]. Usually sub-divided into the [[ProudElite wealthy, glamorous, champagne-swilling elite]] or rough and ready, possibly criminal [[LowerClassLout cockney working-classes]]. Southerners view Northerners as backward and stupid -- "Northern Monkeys" sums up the Southerner view of anyone living north of Watford.

*** The fact that pretty much every BBC sci-fi/fantasy series is made there doesn't help, with examples including ''Series/DoctorWho'', its [[AliensInCardiff Cardiff set]] spinoff, ''{{Series/Torchwood}}'', and ''{{Series/Merlin|2008}}''.

** As a result of this, they're also stereotyped as being only vaguely familiar with football. Then the 2016 European Championships happened, when an unfancied but highly disciplined Wales team sprinkled with a little stardust became the beloved underdogs and/or caused the utter disbelief of an entire continent when they promptly emerged top of their group (ahead of England), eviscerating Russia in the process, beating Northern Ireland and swatting aside Belgium's golden generation, before finally running out of steam against eventual champions Portugal in the semi-finals. England, by contrast, came second behind Wales in their group, then immediately lost to Iceland.

* Icelanders all like fishing, eat shark routinely, and like to visit hot springs and volcanoes. They are friendly and all know each other because the island has such a small population. They may actually still be Vikings, although the Viking age ended at least eight centuries ago.
* Their [[LethalChef foul tasting and even dangerous]] [[ForeignQueasine traditional cuisine]].

* A fairly recent stereotype is that they have prisons that are better livingspaces than standard American homes.

* Since the Syrian Civil War and ensuing refugee crisis, Sweden has been stereotyped as a crime-ridden hellhole and the rape capital of Europe[[note]]crimes in Sweden are recorded differently than in other countries, so it makes it seem like there are more rapes than there actually are, so of course, correlation does not imply causation despite what some people would want you to belive.[[/note]] due to the large number of refugees that have moved there.

* Especially in the U.S.A and England, French people are often ridiculed for being [[CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys cowards who surrender immediately when confronted with danger]]. This idea is based on their rather quick capitulation during the Nazi invasion of France during World War II and has led to the term CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys. An image that only became commonly expressed in the United States after French and American clashes over foreign policy during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, and then again after France refused to get involved in UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror. In reality the French surrendered in order to prevent the destruction of Paris. This stereotype of cowardice also completely ignores the work of [[LaResistance the French resistance]], who assassinated Nazi officers, attacked their supply lines, and helped smuggle out [=POWs=]. The French have also fought bravely against many invaders throughout history and even helped the Americans during the US War of Independence in 1776. And how did the Americans repay them? By not going into battle during World War II until Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, literally two years after the war broke out. [[note]] Of course, before 1948 the isolationist [[UsefulNotes/JamesMonroe Monroe doctrine]] was still in effect. Thus the USA had a policy of not interfering with other countries' politics. [[/note]]

* Especially in the U.S.A and England, French people are often ridiculed for being [[CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys cowards who surrender immediately when confronted with danger]]. This idea is based on their rather quick capitulation during the Nazi invasion of France during World War II and has led to the term CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys. An image that only became commonly expressed in the United States after French and American clashes over foreign policy during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar. In reality the French surrendered in order to prevent the destruction of Paris. This stereotype of cowardice also completely ignores the work of [[LaResistance the French resistance]], who assassinated Nazi officers, attacked their supply lines, and helped smuggle out [=POWs=]. The French have also fought bravely against many invaders throughout history and even helped the Americans during the US War of Independence in 1776. And how did the Americans repay them? By not going into battle during World War Two until Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, literally two years after the war broke out. [[note]] Of course, before 1948 the isolationist [[UsefulNotes/JamesMonroe Monroe doctrine]] was still in effect. Thus the USA had a policy of not interfering with other countries' politics. [[/note]]

* In the U.S., there are essentially two sets of stereotypes about Europe, which is extremely contradictory:

** The newer stereotypes suggest that every European government is run by a bunch of leftists and socialists who hate war too much and are probably [[EuropeansAreKinky kinky]] atheists too.[[note]]Except where they are giving way to waves of Muslim immigrants and enthusiastically adopting Islam and Sharia law -- witness FOX-TV's infamous claim that Birmingham, England, is a city where white people are fleeing in droves and Sharia law has been imposed, something the spineless Brits are doing nothing about. Actually, the white population of Birmingham is a little under 60%, and its Muslim population is one of the most diverse and most well-established in Britain.[[/note]] This adds up to the American right-wing viewing Europeans as degenerate, godless commies[[note]]Except where we're embracing Islam -- the wrong sort of God[[/note]]. And ''that's'' only when Europe isn't seen by right-wing Americans as an assortment of medieval tyrannies and absolutist dictatorships [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics who wouldn't even give their people the liberty to own guns]]. The American left sometimes buys into these stereotypes too, but views them more positively and have developed their own stereotype of Europe as a political wonderland free from people resembling Republican Party politicians, as if conservatism itself has somehow vanished from Europe (hint: it hasn't; every position in the politican spectrum can be found all across Europe).

*** Apparently all Corsicans are proud, HotBlooded and anger will be the [[TheStoic only emotion they ever show]]. They will demand respect from everybody and put on a DeathGlare when they have the impression someone offended them. The men are all {{Knife Nut}}s who will pull out a blade anywhere, anytime and no particular reason at all. There is also some TruthInTelevision to this violent image. Just like other Mediterranean isles, Corsica has a centuries old bloody history of [[CycleOfRevenge countless vendettas and family feuds]]. In the 17th and 18th century the island was notorious for [[TheHighwayMan highwaymen and robbers attacking stage coaches]] who hid in the thick and unpenetrable Corsican forests and bushes ("maquis"). From the 20th century on Corsican separatists [[StuffBlowingUp bombing]] civilians and homes made sure the island's reputation for bloodshed wasn't going away soon. Many Corsicans still carry folding-blade knives, but these days they are more likely to use them for eating or whittling than fighting.

* To Italians, Sardinians are generally heavy drinkers [[note]] They actually have the highest rate of beer consumption in Italy [[/note]], {{knife nut}}s, badass herdsmen (even better if engaged in some kind of romanticized banditry against the Italian authorities: this cliché is gradually fading away, though), who lead a solitary life and are impossible to get along with. Other common stereotypes involve Sardinians being extremely loyal to their own island, introverted, [[FourTemperamentEnsemble melancholic]], touchy, cold and leery of any strangers in the area. All these stereotypes are somewhat TruthInTelevision:

* [[KnifeNut They all have knives]]. Or so the Scandinavians say.

* A general stereotype associated with Norwegians is that they are very moody, inward-looking, and quiet. This may have something to do with the weather. It may come as no surprise that painter Creator/EdvardMunch, famous for ''"The Scream"'', was born there.

* HornyVikings: The oldest and most enduring stereotype about Northern Europe goes back to the Viking Age. All Danes, Norwegians, and Swedish are depicted as Vikings or at least wear a stereotypical horned helmet. Another stereotype associated with Scandinavians is that all Vikings were basically invaders and plunderers. In reality some were tradesmen as well and others explorers. "Viking" was a profession, and not a full-time one. Most Vikings had additional, less violent jobs they did between raids, and those could just as important to them as the invading and plundering. Their most famous discoverers were Erik the Red, who discovered Greenland, and his son Leif Ericson, who even discovered America four centuries before Christopher Columbus did! Also, many Norse people even at the height of the Viking Age were not Vikings at all. As said above, it was a job, not the entire society.

** [[BreadEggsMilkSquick And of course]], King Leopold II (1865–1909) ruled the [[UsefulNotes/DemocraticRepublicOfTheCongo Congo Free State]] as a [[PrivatelyOwnedSociety private enterprise]] from 1885 to 1908. His bloody reign there, which saw anywhere from 1.5 to 13 million deaths, shocked even other imperial powers of the era--which, given what ''they'' got up to in their colonies, is kind of saying something. One infamous image from this era was the amputation of hands from enslaved Congolese laborers on rubber plantations who didn't meet quotas. Even when the Belgian government took over administering the Congo (along with UsefulNotes/{{Rwanda}} and UsefulNotes/{{Burundi}}, Belgium was among the nastier colonial powers--and again, given the rest of Europe, that's a rather high bar.

** Also, thanks to UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire, the English have a reputation for being racist and MightyWhitey EvilColonialist {{hypocrite}}s who talk of free trade while plundering the world. Anglophobia is common enough in the Middle East, Iran (one adviser called the English "Worse than [[ArchEnemy America]]" (which a proper Empire nostalgist [[IllTakeThatAsACompliment might take as a compliment]])), Asia, Africa and India, that the EvilBrit is still the common stereotype in these films. The likable Englishmen here is a Colonel Blimp-esque self-deluding fool who, as in Chinua Achebe's ''Things Fall Apart'', see other lands with blinkered SmallReferencePools and never takes responsibility for the violence inflicted by imperialism, and refuse to fess up to the art theft of the Elgin Marbles, treasures in Beijing, Tipu's Tiger and the Koh-I-Noor diamond.

** The EnglishRose is a uniquely English type of female beauty, and most often appears in [[CostumeDrama period settings]], though examples from modern works are also possible. Her beauty will be natural and classic; tumbling locks of auburn or light brown hair, porcelain-white skin and bee-stung lips are usual visual cues. Impeccable manners and good breeding are ''essential'' characteristics. She will be demure, and whilst generally being above offering any kind of gratuitous {{Fanservice}}, she will always be alluringly beautiful in an ethereal sort of way. English actresses like Creator/JulieAndrews, [[Film/GoneWithTheWind Vivien Leigh]], Creator/KateWinslet, Creator/RachelWeisz and Creator/JessicaBrownFindlay have the appropriate looks, and are often accorded this accolade.

** Oddly enough, Europeans also have the impression that the English often are far more lewd in their private life. The French idiom "to spank", for instance, is literally called "Le Vice Anglais" (translation: "The English Vice"). Many Britons with a dignified, stuffy, chaste, conservative public image are often caught in surprisingly saucy sex scandals. Historical examples are John Profumo [[note]] a British Minister of Defense who was caught commiting adultery in 1963 with call girl Christine Keeler. If that weren't bad enough Keeler also had contacts with a well known London gangster and a member of the Soviet embassy. As a result Profumo had to resign. [[/note]], Stephen Milligan [[note]] a Conservative politician found dead in 1994, from having auto-erotic asphyxiation sex with his secretary [[/note]] and UsefulNotes/JohnMajor [[note]] A former British Prime Minister who, in 2002, turned out to have had an extramarital affair with politician Edwina Currie, though this happened way before he even became PM. The amusing thing about this was that ''Series/SpittingImage'' had spoofed the ludicrous idea that someone as stuffy as Major would have an extramarital affair in the past - much of the reaction from the press was sheer fascination that the man claimed to be "the only boy who ran away from the circus to become an accountant" could ever do something so interesting. [[/note]] While British tabloids exploit these stories to death the foreign press is especially interested in them. Not because they are above this sort of thing, but "because it's those "stuffy Britons" we're talking about."

* BraveScot and ViolentGlaswegian: A positive stereotype about Scots is that they are supposedly all [[NobleSavage brave and fierce "real" men, toughened by the harsh climate]]. They don't mind cold, rain, wind, or fog and will fight their clan or country's honor at all cost. The negative end of this stereotype depicts them as dour, grouchy, and mean sourpusses with a trigger temper. They will criticize any Scot who doesn't share their tough ways of living for being NoTrueScotsman. Sometimes they are even depicted as being ugly, usually in combination with what can be seen beneath their kilts.

* EverythingsLouderWithBagpipes: If you're Scottish, you're able to play the bagpipes, specifically the tunes "Amazing Grace", "Auld Lang Syne", or "Scotland the Brave". In popular culture, non-Scottish people, particularly patriotic stuck-up Englishmen, will dismiss these musical sounds as being horrible noise.

** The Welsh language is also one of the most ancient in Europe and still spoken today by about a fifth of the population, which may again explain why so many Englishmen have the feeling history stood still in Wales. Welsh is unlike other languages and has odd conventions (many double letters, strange diacritics...) that are a frequent source of amusement for those unfamiliar with them. Like Dutch, jokes are frequently made about it not being a language, but a throat disease. Others suspect it was simply invented to screw with everyone else, especially the English. Yet again, not all Welshmen are that familiar with this ancient Celtic language.

* Danes tends to see Swedes as being [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad overly politically correct]] in their manners, and also being quite pomperous about showing off said political correctness.

** There are several UK actresses who carved out successful careers (mainly in TheEighties) portraying the [[EvilIsSexy sexy]], [[AhPea RP-accented]], haughty, [[EvilBrit Brit villainess]] character, especially in American works. Examples include Creator/JoanCollins (as infamous mega-bitch Alexis Carrington of ''Series/Dynasty1981'' fame), both Stephanie Beacham and Emma Samms (also ''Dynasty''), Sarah Douglas (who played Ursa in ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'' and ''Film/SupermanII'' and Queen Taramis in ''Film/ConanTheDestroyer''), Kate O'Mara (''Series/DoctorWho'' and yet also ''Dynasty'') and Sian Philips.

** The newer stereotypes suggest that every European government is run by a bunch of leftists and socialists who hate war too much and are probably [[EuropeansAreKinky kinky]] atheists too.[[note]]Except where they are giving way to waves of Muslim immigrants and enthusuastically adopting Islam and Sharia law -- witness FOX-TV's infamous claim that Birmingham, England, is a city where white people are fleeing in droves and Sharia law has been imposed, something the spineless Brits are doing nothing about. Actually, the white population of Birmingham is a little under 60%, and its Muslim population is one of the most diverse and most well-established in Britain.[[/note]] This adds up to the American right-wing viewing Europeans as degenerate, godless commies[[note]]Except where we're embracing Islam -- the wrong sort of God[[/note]]. And ''that's'' only when Europe isn't seen by right-wing Americans as an assortment of medieval tyrannies and absolutist dictatorships [[UsefulNotes/AmericanGunPolitics who wouldn't even give their people the liberty to own guns]]. The American left sometimes buys into these stereotypes too, but views them more positively and have developed their own stereotype of Europe as a political wonderland free from people resembling Republican Party politicians, as if conservatism itself has somehow vanished from Europe (hint: it hasn't; every position in the politican spectrum can be found all across Europe).

* Europe has a strong association with royalty, mostly influenced by fairy tales, medieval poetry and romance stories set in palaces. The continent even harbors quite a few [[MicroMonarchy micro monarchies]]. Stories about European royalty still interest people all across the globe, as if these kings, queen, princes, princesses and their relatives are still as rich and powerful as they used to be. It goes without saying that this is a heavily outdated idea. Nowadays most European countries are republics and the few monarchies that have survived (United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Monaco, Andorra, Vatican City and Spain) are all basically ceremonial in function and lack the political power they had in previous centuries, save perhaps for the Vatican.