Stereotypes are based on kernels of truth, and it can make telling a true story about a stereotyped group sound like a fabrication even if it’s not. For instance, during my collegiate study abroad program, my friend and I met the most painfully American-looking tourist of all time while we were all waiting for the train at Pompeii to pick us up. Less than 30 seconds after our conversation started, this man proudly stated he was from St. Louis and asked the two of us what high school we graduated from.
Likewise, when my family took a trip to Minneapolis a few years ago, we caught a Royals game—wearing our Royals gear, of course—at Target Field.