Do you rely on stereotypes? Most people share a fixed idea or image of national identities. We are all prejudiced, and have internalised certain stereotypes. Stereotypes, however, do not very often correspond to reality.

You can probably imagine a stereotypical image of an English gentleman. Not so long ago, everyone knew who the English were; polite, reserved, and formal people. Britain was the largest imperial power in the world with colonies across  five continents, and the people had little need to examine themselves and ask who they really were. Today, the country is a small, at best a second-rate power off the coast of mainland Europe, with its very own peculiar traditions. When talking about national identities and generalisation, several questions immediately arises; Are national stereotypes useful or not? Does such a thing as "Englishness" really exist, or is everything that...