Why We Have Stereotypes

This lady in her 70s walked in a little while ago. She announced that she was from Massachusetts. She then proceeded to pace around the lobby while informing me of the dreadful and disgraceful state of repair into which a certain set of historical markers had fallen.

Now, I can tell with a fair degree of certainty that she was not from Boston. (Her accent did not involve pahking cahs in Hahvahd Yahd.) I must also admit that I have never been to that particular state. However, she was precisely the brand of hoity-toity that I somehow expect from that part of the country. Her air of superiority, coupled with the incessant pacing, was most unnerving.

Anyway, it just struck me that stereotypes don't come from nowhere. She was a reasonably good caricature of the "typical" citizen of Massachusetts.

This, of course, is only worth noting if it then makes me take a good look at myself. I certainly have no desire to be the "typical" California girl!